Page 1 of 85
PASS THE CCRN EXAM THIS YEAR WITH
COMPLETE 380 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
SOLUTIONS JUST RELEASED
QUESTION: 72 male patient in ICU for 6 days on the ventilator for treatment of a COPD
exacerbation. He has been receiving VTE prophylaxis and subcutaneous Heparin since
admission. Today his platelet count decreased significantly to 43,000 and was found to have
new DVT on his right upper extremity. What do you suspect is the most likely cause of these
findings? - ANSWER✔✔HIT
The hallmark sign of HIT is a significant decrease in platelet count over a 24 hours period (>50%)
within 5-10 days of administering Heparin. The other hallmark sign is a new development of
DVT despite being on VTE prophylaxis.
QUESTION: TRALI: - ANSWER✔✔is a complication from a blood transfusion reaction, which
causes acute lung injury typically within 6 hours of a blood transfusion.
QUESTION: 2 Hallmark signs of HIT: - ANSWER✔✔Decrease in platelet count over a 24 hr
period.
New development of DVT despite being on VTE prophylaxis.
, Page 2 of 85
QUESTION: A 56 yr-old male is admitted to the ICU with a blood pressure of 225/135 and
complains of a headache and nausea. He reports he ran out of blood pressure meds three days
ago, but also appears to be confused to the date and situation. What is the most appropriate
treatment approach? - ANSWER✔✔Rapidly lower the diastolic pressure to 100 with IV
antihypertensive meds, then continue to gradually reduce the diastolic pressure to 85 with oral
antihypertensive meds.
The maximum initial decrease should be no more than 25% reduction from initial presenting
value. Reducing the blood pressure too quickly can lead to cerebral edema or renal failure.
QUESTION: A patient has sepsis, receives Lactated ringers 500ml IV bolus. Which finding
indicate that this intervention is having it's intended effect? - ANSWER✔✔ScvO2 of 72%
Early goal directed therapy for sepsis includes early fluid resuscitation at 30 ml/kg to maintain a
CVP of 8-12 or 12-15 if mechanically ventilated, MAP greater than 65, ScvO2 greater than 70%,
and urine output greater than 0.5 kg/hr
, Page 3 of 85
QUESTION: Values in Early compensated Hypovolemic shock? - ANSWER✔✔CO 4.0 L/min, HR
135, SV 65, SVR 1700, MAP 65
In hypovolemic states, circulating volume is depleted therefore preload and contractility are
decreased which leads to a decrease in SV and CO. HR and SV increase as compensatory
measure to preserve CO, MAP and cerebral perfusion.
QUESTION: Post-renal failure values: - ANSWER✔✔Urine output < 200; urine sodium 30; BUN:
Creatinine ratio 15:1; urine specific gravity 1.010
BUN: Creatinine ratio is 15:1, but both the BUN & creatinine are elevated. Urine sodium is
typically 1-40 mEq/L.
QUESTION: What to do in the event of HIT: - ANSWER✔✔Stop Heparin and administer an
alternative direct thrombin inhibitor.
QUESTION: Warfarin is contraindicated in HIT? T/F - ANSWER✔✔True - there is also no
evidence that shows protamine, corticosteroids, and benadryl are effective treatments for HIT
QUESTION: Patients with right ventricular infarctions become preload dependent. Meds that
decrease preload should be avoided - which meds are these? - ANSWER✔✔Morphine, Nitro,
Beta blockers and diuretics.
, Page 4 of 85
QUESTION: Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia aka Torsades is treated by? -
ANSWER✔✔Magnesium
QUESTION: Myocardial contusions generally impact which parts of the heart? and what would
the values be? - ANSWER✔✔Atria & right ventricle because of the position of the heart in the
chest.
PAOP 6, PA Pressure 40/24, RA Pressure 16
QUESTION: Neurogenic shock signs? - ANSWER✔✔CVP: 3, CI: 2.5, SVR: 650, SBP: 88
Neuro shock is associated with a loss of sympathetic tone causing extensive peripheral
vasodilation. Clinical signs and symptoms include hypotension, a low SVR, low CVP and low
normal CI
QUESTION: What causes a larger than normal A wave on a PAOP? - ANSWER✔✔Mitral stenosis
- causes increased left atrial pressure during atrial contraction.
QUESTION: Pulmonary HTN will result in what? - ANSWER✔✔Elevated PA pressures but have
no impact on PAOP.
PASS THE CCRN EXAM THIS YEAR WITH
COMPLETE 380 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
SOLUTIONS JUST RELEASED
QUESTION: 72 male patient in ICU for 6 days on the ventilator for treatment of a COPD
exacerbation. He has been receiving VTE prophylaxis and subcutaneous Heparin since
admission. Today his platelet count decreased significantly to 43,000 and was found to have
new DVT on his right upper extremity. What do you suspect is the most likely cause of these
findings? - ANSWER✔✔HIT
The hallmark sign of HIT is a significant decrease in platelet count over a 24 hours period (>50%)
within 5-10 days of administering Heparin. The other hallmark sign is a new development of
DVT despite being on VTE prophylaxis.
QUESTION: TRALI: - ANSWER✔✔is a complication from a blood transfusion reaction, which
causes acute lung injury typically within 6 hours of a blood transfusion.
QUESTION: 2 Hallmark signs of HIT: - ANSWER✔✔Decrease in platelet count over a 24 hr
period.
New development of DVT despite being on VTE prophylaxis.
, Page 2 of 85
QUESTION: A 56 yr-old male is admitted to the ICU with a blood pressure of 225/135 and
complains of a headache and nausea. He reports he ran out of blood pressure meds three days
ago, but also appears to be confused to the date and situation. What is the most appropriate
treatment approach? - ANSWER✔✔Rapidly lower the diastolic pressure to 100 with IV
antihypertensive meds, then continue to gradually reduce the diastolic pressure to 85 with oral
antihypertensive meds.
The maximum initial decrease should be no more than 25% reduction from initial presenting
value. Reducing the blood pressure too quickly can lead to cerebral edema or renal failure.
QUESTION: A patient has sepsis, receives Lactated ringers 500ml IV bolus. Which finding
indicate that this intervention is having it's intended effect? - ANSWER✔✔ScvO2 of 72%
Early goal directed therapy for sepsis includes early fluid resuscitation at 30 ml/kg to maintain a
CVP of 8-12 or 12-15 if mechanically ventilated, MAP greater than 65, ScvO2 greater than 70%,
and urine output greater than 0.5 kg/hr
, Page 3 of 85
QUESTION: Values in Early compensated Hypovolemic shock? - ANSWER✔✔CO 4.0 L/min, HR
135, SV 65, SVR 1700, MAP 65
In hypovolemic states, circulating volume is depleted therefore preload and contractility are
decreased which leads to a decrease in SV and CO. HR and SV increase as compensatory
measure to preserve CO, MAP and cerebral perfusion.
QUESTION: Post-renal failure values: - ANSWER✔✔Urine output < 200; urine sodium 30; BUN:
Creatinine ratio 15:1; urine specific gravity 1.010
BUN: Creatinine ratio is 15:1, but both the BUN & creatinine are elevated. Urine sodium is
typically 1-40 mEq/L.
QUESTION: What to do in the event of HIT: - ANSWER✔✔Stop Heparin and administer an
alternative direct thrombin inhibitor.
QUESTION: Warfarin is contraindicated in HIT? T/F - ANSWER✔✔True - there is also no
evidence that shows protamine, corticosteroids, and benadryl are effective treatments for HIT
QUESTION: Patients with right ventricular infarctions become preload dependent. Meds that
decrease preload should be avoided - which meds are these? - ANSWER✔✔Morphine, Nitro,
Beta blockers and diuretics.
, Page 4 of 85
QUESTION: Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia aka Torsades is treated by? -
ANSWER✔✔Magnesium
QUESTION: Myocardial contusions generally impact which parts of the heart? and what would
the values be? - ANSWER✔✔Atria & right ventricle because of the position of the heart in the
chest.
PAOP 6, PA Pressure 40/24, RA Pressure 16
QUESTION: Neurogenic shock signs? - ANSWER✔✔CVP: 3, CI: 2.5, SVR: 650, SBP: 88
Neuro shock is associated with a loss of sympathetic tone causing extensive peripheral
vasodilation. Clinical signs and symptoms include hypotension, a low SVR, low CVP and low
normal CI
QUESTION: What causes a larger than normal A wave on a PAOP? - ANSWER✔✔Mitral stenosis
- causes increased left atrial pressure during atrial contraction.
QUESTION: Pulmonary HTN will result in what? - ANSWER✔✔Elevated PA pressures but have
no impact on PAOP.
