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CCRN Cardiac Certification Questions
& Answers 2026-2027 | Barron’s
Critical Care Review (Rationales)
Document Overview
This document provides 58 critical care cardiology certification questions, each with the
correct answer and a detailed rationale. It offers a comprehensive review of essential
cardiac nursing knowledge, directly aligning with preparation for the CCRN exam. This
resource is ideal for in-depth study and focused review of complex cardiac concepts.
100% Accurate Questions and Answers 100% Guarantee Pass - Verified by Experts
Expert-Verified
Verified Answers · Detailed Rationales · 58 Questions · September 2026
CCRN Cardiac Certification Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Barron’s Critical Care Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
, Topics Covered
Section 1: Myocardial Infarction & Ischemia Q 1-14
Questions covering myocardial Infarction & Ischemia concepts.
Section 2: Valvular Heart Disease & Structural Abnormalities Q 15-19
Questions covering valvular Heart Disease & Structural Abnormalities concepts.
Section 3: Heart Failure & Cardiomyopathy Q 20-34
Questions covering heart Failure & Cardiomyopathy concepts.
Section 4: Arrhythmias & Conduction Abnormalities Q 35-43
Questions covering arrhythmias & Conduction Abnormalities concepts.
Section 5: Hemodynamics & Mechanical Support Q 44-52
Questions covering hemodynamics & Mechanical Support concepts.
Section 6: Hypertensive Crisis & Pericardial Disease Q 53-58
Questions covering hypertensive Crisis & Pericardial Disease concepts.
Questions
QUESTION 1 OF 58
The nurse is caring for a patient with acute inferior wall MI, post-coronary artery stent
deployment. For optimal care of the patient, the nurse should:
a) administer an analgesic for acute back pain
b) Apply pressure dressing to groin
c) Continuously monitor the patient in lead II
d) Maintain the patient in a supine position
Correct Answer: Answer: C
It is best practice to continuously monitor the patient status post PCI with stent, in the lead that was most
abnormal during the acute occlusion. Lead II would most likely meet this criterion for the patient with an
inferior wall MI. The remaining interventions are NOT indicated for the patient post PCI.
CCRN Cardiac Certification Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Barron’s Critical Care Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
, QUESTION 2 OF 58
The patient was admitted with acute inferior wall STEMI; the physician advises the
nurse to monitor the patient for signs of right ventricular (RV) infarction. Which of the
following are signs of RV infarction?
a) S2 heart sounds, lung crackles
b) Hypotension, flat neck veins
c) Hypertension, systolic murmur
d) Distended neck veins, clear lungs
Correct Answer: Answer: D
If the RV contractility decreases, pressure proximal to the right ventricle (which is the right atrium)
increases, resulting in distended neck veins. As the right heart fails, left heart preload decreases, lung sounds
clear.
Rationale: Right ventricular (RV) infarction impairs the RV's ability to pump blood forward, leading to increased
central venous pressure and consequent jugular venous distention. This decreased RV output also reduces preload to
the left ventricle, diminishing pulmonary congestion and resulting in clear lung fields. Therefore, distended neck veins
and clear lungs are hallmark signs of RV infarction. This aligns with pressure proximal to the right ventricle (which is
the right atrium) increases, resulting in distended neck veins. As the right heart fails and If the RV contractility
decreases.
QUESTION 3 OF 58
The ECG demonstrates ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF. The nurse needs to monitor
the patient closely for which of the following?
a) Tachycardia, lung crackles
b) Sinus bradycardia, acute systolic murmur in the fifth intercostal space, midclavicular
c) Second-degree heart block Type 2, hypotension
d) Hypoxemia, acute systolic murmur, 5th intercostal space left sternal border
Correct Answer: Answer: B
Complications likely to occur after an acute inferior wall MI include bradycardia secondary to ischemia to the
SA and/or AV node, and papillary muscle rupture or dysfunction due to the anatomical distance between the
right coronary artery and the papillary muscle. The remaining choices are not common complications of
inferior MI.
CCRN Cardiac Certification Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Barron’s Critical Care Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
CCRN Cardiac Certification Questions
& Answers 2026-2027 | Barron’s
Critical Care Review (Rationales)
Document Overview
This document provides 58 critical care cardiology certification questions, each with the
correct answer and a detailed rationale. It offers a comprehensive review of essential
cardiac nursing knowledge, directly aligning with preparation for the CCRN exam. This
resource is ideal for in-depth study and focused review of complex cardiac concepts.
100% Accurate Questions and Answers 100% Guarantee Pass - Verified by Experts
Expert-Verified
Verified Answers · Detailed Rationales · 58 Questions · September 2026
CCRN Cardiac Certification Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Barron’s Critical Care Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
, Topics Covered
Section 1: Myocardial Infarction & Ischemia Q 1-14
Questions covering myocardial Infarction & Ischemia concepts.
Section 2: Valvular Heart Disease & Structural Abnormalities Q 15-19
Questions covering valvular Heart Disease & Structural Abnormalities concepts.
Section 3: Heart Failure & Cardiomyopathy Q 20-34
Questions covering heart Failure & Cardiomyopathy concepts.
Section 4: Arrhythmias & Conduction Abnormalities Q 35-43
Questions covering arrhythmias & Conduction Abnormalities concepts.
Section 5: Hemodynamics & Mechanical Support Q 44-52
Questions covering hemodynamics & Mechanical Support concepts.
Section 6: Hypertensive Crisis & Pericardial Disease Q 53-58
Questions covering hypertensive Crisis & Pericardial Disease concepts.
Questions
QUESTION 1 OF 58
The nurse is caring for a patient with acute inferior wall MI, post-coronary artery stent
deployment. For optimal care of the patient, the nurse should:
a) administer an analgesic for acute back pain
b) Apply pressure dressing to groin
c) Continuously monitor the patient in lead II
d) Maintain the patient in a supine position
Correct Answer: Answer: C
It is best practice to continuously monitor the patient status post PCI with stent, in the lead that was most
abnormal during the acute occlusion. Lead II would most likely meet this criterion for the patient with an
inferior wall MI. The remaining interventions are NOT indicated for the patient post PCI.
CCRN Cardiac Certification Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Barron’s Critical Care Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
, QUESTION 2 OF 58
The patient was admitted with acute inferior wall STEMI; the physician advises the
nurse to monitor the patient for signs of right ventricular (RV) infarction. Which of the
following are signs of RV infarction?
a) S2 heart sounds, lung crackles
b) Hypotension, flat neck veins
c) Hypertension, systolic murmur
d) Distended neck veins, clear lungs
Correct Answer: Answer: D
If the RV contractility decreases, pressure proximal to the right ventricle (which is the right atrium)
increases, resulting in distended neck veins. As the right heart fails, left heart preload decreases, lung sounds
clear.
Rationale: Right ventricular (RV) infarction impairs the RV's ability to pump blood forward, leading to increased
central venous pressure and consequent jugular venous distention. This decreased RV output also reduces preload to
the left ventricle, diminishing pulmonary congestion and resulting in clear lung fields. Therefore, distended neck veins
and clear lungs are hallmark signs of RV infarction. This aligns with pressure proximal to the right ventricle (which is
the right atrium) increases, resulting in distended neck veins. As the right heart fails and If the RV contractility
decreases.
QUESTION 3 OF 58
The ECG demonstrates ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF. The nurse needs to monitor
the patient closely for which of the following?
a) Tachycardia, lung crackles
b) Sinus bradycardia, acute systolic murmur in the fifth intercostal space, midclavicular
c) Second-degree heart block Type 2, hypotension
d) Hypoxemia, acute systolic murmur, 5th intercostal space left sternal border
Correct Answer: Answer: B
Complications likely to occur after an acute inferior wall MI include bradycardia secondary to ischemia to the
SA and/or AV node, and papillary muscle rupture or dysfunction due to the anatomical distance between the
right coronary artery and the papillary muscle. The remaining choices are not common complications of
inferior MI.
CCRN Cardiac Certification Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Barron’s Critical Care Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
