AACN CCRN (Adult) Practice Exam Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) with
Rationales 2025
1. A patient in cardiogenic shock is most likely to exhibit which of the following?
A. Warm extremities
B. Pulmonary congestion
C. Hypotension with bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Pulmonary congestion occurs due to left ventricular failure,
leading to fluid back-up into the lungs.
2. Which hemodynamic profile is most consistent with hypovolemic shock?
A. Increased CVP and wedge pressure
B. Increased CO and SVR
C. Decreased CVP and wedge pressure
D. Decreased SVR and increased CO
Hypovolemic shock results in low preload (low CVP and wedge
pressure) due to volume loss.
3. A patient with ARDS will most likely need which ventilator strategy?
A. Low tidal volume ventilation
B. High PEEP and high tidal volumes
,C. Permissive hypercapnia with high tidal volumes
D. Minimal sedation with high respiratory rate
Low tidal volume reduces barotrauma and improves survival in
ARDS.
4. Which finding is most specific for cardiac tamponade?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Pulsus paradoxus
C. Bradycardia
D. ST elevation
Pulsus paradoxus is a hallmark sign of cardiac tamponade
caused by impaired diastolic filling.
5. Which of the following medications is contraindicated in a patient with
second-degree type II AV block?
A. Furosemide
B. Beta-blocker
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Aspirin
Beta-blockers worsen AV nodal conduction delays and may lead
to complete heart block.
6. What is the initial rhythm most commonly seen in sudden cardiac arrest?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Sinus tachycardia
C. Asystole
, D. Atrial fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation is the most common initial rhythm in
witnessed sudden cardiac arrest.
7. Which of the following ABG results is most consistent with COPD
exacerbation?
A. pH 7.48, CO2 28, HCO3 20
B. pH 7.42, CO2 38, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.31, CO2 60, HCO3 32
D. pH 7.55, CO2 25, HCO3 22
COPD exacerbation results in respiratory acidosis with
metabolic compensation.
8. The most appropriate intervention for a patient with symptomatic
bradycardia is:
A. Administer adenosine
B. Administer atropine
C. Begin synchronized cardioversion
D. Administer lidocaine
Atropine is the first-line treatment for symptomatic
bradycardia.
9. The most sensitive biomarker for myocardial infarction is:
A. CK-MB
B. LDH
C. Troponin I
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) with
Rationales 2025
1. A patient in cardiogenic shock is most likely to exhibit which of the following?
A. Warm extremities
B. Pulmonary congestion
C. Hypotension with bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Pulmonary congestion occurs due to left ventricular failure,
leading to fluid back-up into the lungs.
2. Which hemodynamic profile is most consistent with hypovolemic shock?
A. Increased CVP and wedge pressure
B. Increased CO and SVR
C. Decreased CVP and wedge pressure
D. Decreased SVR and increased CO
Hypovolemic shock results in low preload (low CVP and wedge
pressure) due to volume loss.
3. A patient with ARDS will most likely need which ventilator strategy?
A. Low tidal volume ventilation
B. High PEEP and high tidal volumes
,C. Permissive hypercapnia with high tidal volumes
D. Minimal sedation with high respiratory rate
Low tidal volume reduces barotrauma and improves survival in
ARDS.
4. Which finding is most specific for cardiac tamponade?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Pulsus paradoxus
C. Bradycardia
D. ST elevation
Pulsus paradoxus is a hallmark sign of cardiac tamponade
caused by impaired diastolic filling.
5. Which of the following medications is contraindicated in a patient with
second-degree type II AV block?
A. Furosemide
B. Beta-blocker
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Aspirin
Beta-blockers worsen AV nodal conduction delays and may lead
to complete heart block.
6. What is the initial rhythm most commonly seen in sudden cardiac arrest?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Sinus tachycardia
C. Asystole
, D. Atrial fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation is the most common initial rhythm in
witnessed sudden cardiac arrest.
7. Which of the following ABG results is most consistent with COPD
exacerbation?
A. pH 7.48, CO2 28, HCO3 20
B. pH 7.42, CO2 38, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.31, CO2 60, HCO3 32
D. pH 7.55, CO2 25, HCO3 22
COPD exacerbation results in respiratory acidosis with
metabolic compensation.
8. The most appropriate intervention for a patient with symptomatic
bradycardia is:
A. Administer adenosine
B. Administer atropine
C. Begin synchronized cardioversion
D. Administer lidocaine
Atropine is the first-line treatment for symptomatic
bradycardia.
9. The most sensitive biomarker for myocardial infarction is:
A. CK-MB
B. LDH
C. Troponin I
