CEN Professional Issues Exam | Actual Questions and Answers
Latest Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
The ENA Code of Ethics expects the emergency nurse to do all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Maintain accountability for individual practice
b. Act to protect the patient from incompetent or illegal practice
c. Work to improve access to health care for all
d. Complete all required tasks for every patient
Correct Answer: D. An integral part of being an effective ED nurse is knowing what tasks
can or should be delegated to other roles. The ED nurse should not expect to perform all
tasks for every patient but should know what tasks can be delegated.
• Question
Emergency nurses are encouraged to use evidence based practices (EBP) in the practice
of emergency nursing. Which of the following practices is not recommended by the
Emergency Nurse's Association?
a. Use of two or more patient identifiers when providing care.
b. Not taking verbal or telephone orders.
c. Comply with hand hygiene guidelines
d. Assure central lines are inserted under sterile conditions.
Correct Answer: B. Although verbal and telephone orders are not ideal, the practice of
emergency nursing often requires taking verbal orders. In those cases, the nurse must
employ the practice of reading back the order to ensure that it was received and
recorded accurately.
• Question
An emergency nurse provides education to a community group about bike and helmet
safety. At this educational offering, the nurse provides helmets for children who do not
have them. This is an example of a nurse providing:
a. Primary prevention
b. Secondary prevention
c. Tertiary prevention
d. None of the above
Correct Answer: A. Primary prevention averts disease or injury by reducing risk factors
for a particular individual or group. Secondary prevention aims to detect injury or
disease early to limit the effects. Tertiary preventions focus on treating a disease or
injury to limit disability and preserve function.
, • Question
The term used to describe pain that is due to a stimulus that does not normally provoke
pain is:
a. Allodynia
b. Analgesia
c. Hyperalgesia
d. Neuralgia
Correct Answer: A. Allodynia is the perception of pain with a stimulus that does not
normally cause pain. Analgesia is the absence of pain in response to a stimulus that
would normally be considered painful. Hyperalgesia is an increased, or greater than
expected, response to a stimulus that is painful. Neuralgia is pain in a nerve or nerves.
• Question
Since care in the emergency department is episodic, interpreters are not required
during patient care.
a. True
b. False
Correct Answer: B. If the ED nurse is not able to adequately communicate with a patient,
an interpreter must be provided. Specifically, an interpreter is critical when the patient's
history is being elicited, when the physician or nurse is explaining the patient's condition
or treatment or when spiritual or religious counseling is requested. In addition to each of
these circumstances, an interpreter must be provided to obtain informed consent or
permission for treatment. The ED nurse must also provide an interpreter when living
wills or powers of attorney are discussed. Any discussion of medications or allergies
requires an interpreter. Discussions of billing, insurance or education should be
explained through an interpreter. When in doubt, the prudent nurse will call for an
interpreter. It is strongly recommended not to use family to interpret.
• Question
A patient can directly sue an emergency department nurse for violation of the HIPAA
law.
a. True
b. False
Correct Answer: B. HIPAA does not create a private right of action; therefore, a patient
cannot directly sue any provider for HIPAA violations. However, a patient may make
formal complaints to the OCR who may refer those complaints to the Department of
Justice for criminal investigation.
Latest Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
The ENA Code of Ethics expects the emergency nurse to do all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Maintain accountability for individual practice
b. Act to protect the patient from incompetent or illegal practice
c. Work to improve access to health care for all
d. Complete all required tasks for every patient
Correct Answer: D. An integral part of being an effective ED nurse is knowing what tasks
can or should be delegated to other roles. The ED nurse should not expect to perform all
tasks for every patient but should know what tasks can be delegated.
• Question
Emergency nurses are encouraged to use evidence based practices (EBP) in the practice
of emergency nursing. Which of the following practices is not recommended by the
Emergency Nurse's Association?
a. Use of two or more patient identifiers when providing care.
b. Not taking verbal or telephone orders.
c. Comply with hand hygiene guidelines
d. Assure central lines are inserted under sterile conditions.
Correct Answer: B. Although verbal and telephone orders are not ideal, the practice of
emergency nursing often requires taking verbal orders. In those cases, the nurse must
employ the practice of reading back the order to ensure that it was received and
recorded accurately.
• Question
An emergency nurse provides education to a community group about bike and helmet
safety. At this educational offering, the nurse provides helmets for children who do not
have them. This is an example of a nurse providing:
a. Primary prevention
b. Secondary prevention
c. Tertiary prevention
d. None of the above
Correct Answer: A. Primary prevention averts disease or injury by reducing risk factors
for a particular individual or group. Secondary prevention aims to detect injury or
disease early to limit the effects. Tertiary preventions focus on treating a disease or
injury to limit disability and preserve function.
, • Question
The term used to describe pain that is due to a stimulus that does not normally provoke
pain is:
a. Allodynia
b. Analgesia
c. Hyperalgesia
d. Neuralgia
Correct Answer: A. Allodynia is the perception of pain with a stimulus that does not
normally cause pain. Analgesia is the absence of pain in response to a stimulus that
would normally be considered painful. Hyperalgesia is an increased, or greater than
expected, response to a stimulus that is painful. Neuralgia is pain in a nerve or nerves.
• Question
Since care in the emergency department is episodic, interpreters are not required
during patient care.
a. True
b. False
Correct Answer: B. If the ED nurse is not able to adequately communicate with a patient,
an interpreter must be provided. Specifically, an interpreter is critical when the patient's
history is being elicited, when the physician or nurse is explaining the patient's condition
or treatment or when spiritual or religious counseling is requested. In addition to each of
these circumstances, an interpreter must be provided to obtain informed consent or
permission for treatment. The ED nurse must also provide an interpreter when living
wills or powers of attorney are discussed. Any discussion of medications or allergies
requires an interpreter. Discussions of billing, insurance or education should be
explained through an interpreter. When in doubt, the prudent nurse will call for an
interpreter. It is strongly recommended not to use family to interpret.
• Question
A patient can directly sue an emergency department nurse for violation of the HIPAA
law.
a. True
b. False
Correct Answer: B. HIPAA does not create a private right of action; therefore, a patient
cannot directly sue any provider for HIPAA violations. However, a patient may make
formal complaints to the OCR who may refer those complaints to the Department of
Justice for criminal investigation.
