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CERTIFIED EMERGENCY NURSE
(CEN) EXAM 2026/2027 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
What hierarchy drives diagnostic tests and treatments in
medical emergencies? - ANSWER-The ABC (Airway,
Breathing, Circulation) hierarchy.
What is the highest priority diagnostic test for suspected acute
coronary syndrome (ACS)? - ANSWER-A 12-lead ECG, to be
performed and interpreted within 10 minutes.
Which cardiac biomarkers are most sensitive for identifying
myocardial injury? - ANSWER-Troponins.
What is the definitive bedside test for cardiac tamponade? -
ANSWER-Echocardiogram.
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What is the recommended immediate pharmacological
treatment for ACS? - ANSWER-Aspirin (160-325 mg chewed).
What is the first-line medication for cardiac arrest? - ANSWER-
Epinephrine.
What medication is used for refractory ventricular fibrillation? -
ANSWER-Amiodarone.
What is the primary treatment for symptomatic bradycardia? -
ANSWER-Atropine.
Why are direct vasodilators contraindicated in aortic
dissections? - ANSWER-They can increase the risk of
dissection propagation.
What is reflex tachycardia? - ANSWER-An increased heart rate
triggered by a rapid drop in blood pressure due to vasodilators.
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What is the proper management sequence for a hypertensive
emergency involving an aortic dissection? - ANSWER--blockers
first, followed by vasodilators.
What is prioritized in respiratory emergencies for evaluating
respiratory failure? - ANSWER-Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
analysis.
What imaging is preferred for diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism
(PE)? - ANSWER-CT Angiography.
What is the first-line treatment for acute asthma and COPD
bronchospasms? - ANSWER-Short-acting beta-agonists
(Albuterol/Salbutamol).
What is the gold standard diagnostic test for differentiating
stroke types? - ANSWER-An emergent non-contrast CT head.
What is the priority treatment for ischemic stroke if administered
within specific time windows? - ANSWER-rtPA (Fibrinolytics).
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What is mandatory for all females of childbearing age
presenting with abdominal pain? - ANSWER-A pregnancy test
to rule out ectopic pregnancy.
What is the primary treatment for seizures associated with
eclampsia? - ANSWER-Magnesium Sulfate.
What is used to diagnose carbon monoxide poisoning? -
ANSWER-Carboxyhemoglobin levels.
What is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis? - ANSWER-
Epinephrine (IM/IV).
What are bronchopulmonary segments? - ANSWER-
Functional, anatomic, and surgical subunits of the lung, each
supplied by a specific tertiary bronchus.
How many segments does the right lung have? - ANSWER-10
segments.
CERTIFIED EMERGENCY NURSE
(CEN) EXAM 2026/2027 ACTUAL
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
What hierarchy drives diagnostic tests and treatments in
medical emergencies? - ANSWER-The ABC (Airway,
Breathing, Circulation) hierarchy.
What is the highest priority diagnostic test for suspected acute
coronary syndrome (ACS)? - ANSWER-A 12-lead ECG, to be
performed and interpreted within 10 minutes.
Which cardiac biomarkers are most sensitive for identifying
myocardial injury? - ANSWER-Troponins.
What is the definitive bedside test for cardiac tamponade? -
ANSWER-Echocardiogram.
,2 | Page
What is the recommended immediate pharmacological
treatment for ACS? - ANSWER-Aspirin (160-325 mg chewed).
What is the first-line medication for cardiac arrest? - ANSWER-
Epinephrine.
What medication is used for refractory ventricular fibrillation? -
ANSWER-Amiodarone.
What is the primary treatment for symptomatic bradycardia? -
ANSWER-Atropine.
Why are direct vasodilators contraindicated in aortic
dissections? - ANSWER-They can increase the risk of
dissection propagation.
What is reflex tachycardia? - ANSWER-An increased heart rate
triggered by a rapid drop in blood pressure due to vasodilators.
,3 | Page
What is the proper management sequence for a hypertensive
emergency involving an aortic dissection? - ANSWER--blockers
first, followed by vasodilators.
What is prioritized in respiratory emergencies for evaluating
respiratory failure? - ANSWER-Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
analysis.
What imaging is preferred for diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism
(PE)? - ANSWER-CT Angiography.
What is the first-line treatment for acute asthma and COPD
bronchospasms? - ANSWER-Short-acting beta-agonists
(Albuterol/Salbutamol).
What is the gold standard diagnostic test for differentiating
stroke types? - ANSWER-An emergent non-contrast CT head.
What is the priority treatment for ischemic stroke if administered
within specific time windows? - ANSWER-rtPA (Fibrinolytics).
, 4 | Page
What is mandatory for all females of childbearing age
presenting with abdominal pain? - ANSWER-A pregnancy test
to rule out ectopic pregnancy.
What is the primary treatment for seizures associated with
eclampsia? - ANSWER-Magnesium Sulfate.
What is used to diagnose carbon monoxide poisoning? -
ANSWER-Carboxyhemoglobin levels.
What is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis? - ANSWER-
Epinephrine (IM/IV).
What are bronchopulmonary segments? - ANSWER-
Functional, anatomic, and surgical subunits of the lung, each
supplied by a specific tertiary bronchus.
How many segments does the right lung have? - ANSWER-10
segments.
