PCCN EXAM PREP: COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 FULL SOLUTION
⫸ A telemetry nurse is caring for a 59-year-old male patient who is
being evaluated for non-specific cardiac symptoms. Just after the
nurse arrives in the patient's room to administer the morning
medications, the patient loses consciousness. The cardiac monitor
reveals third-degree AV heart block with ventricular escape beats at
38 beats per minute (bpm). The nurse should:
A. Prepare to initiate transcutaneous pacing
B. Administer atropine 0.5 mg IV
C. Prepare the patient for cardioversion
D. Administer adenosine (Adenocard) 6 mg rapid IV push Answer: A.
Prepare to initiate transcutaneous pacing
Feedback
Third-degree heart block with a slow ventricular escape rhythm that is
not sufficient to keep a patient alert should be immediately addressed
by transcutaneous pacing to provide adequate brain perfusion (and
perfusion of other organs). Medications should be administered per
ACLS protocols or as directed by a health care practitioner.
⫸ The nurse is educating a 24 year old patient who has been
diagnosed with diabetic gastroparesis. The nurse teaches the patient
that which of the following lifestyle modifications will be helpful and
appropriate?
A. Drink carbonated beverages regularly
B. Eat a diet high in insoluble fiber
,C. Eat fewer, larger meals every day
D. Ensure well-controlled blood glucose levels Answer: D. Ensure
well-controlled blood glucose levels
Feedback
The nurse should know that ensuring well-controlled blood glucose
levels is one of the most helpful strategies for diabetic gastroparesis.
The other three strategies listed are all contraindicated and can make
the condition worse.
⫸ The nurse is providing discharge education to a 47 year old male
patient who was admitted for acute alcohol withdrawal. The patient
tells the nurse that his intent is to pursue outpatient treatment for
alcohol use disorder. Which of the following teaching points is
appropriate for this patient?
A. Alcoholics Anonymous is the only support group that will really
help a "true" alcoholic
B. Eat a diet rich in leafy greens, legumes, citrus, and whole grains
C. It is important to continue to spend time with old friends and social
circles to establish a pattern of familiarity
D. Stop any new therapy or medication right away if the patient does
not feel that it is beneficial Answer: B. Eat a diet rich in leafy greens,
legumes, citrus, and whole grains
Feedback
The nurse should recall that patients who chronically abuse alcohol
are usually deficient in folate, and the listed foods are rich in folate
and will help the patient replenish their nutrients.
,⫸ A nurse is caring for a patient with a recent history of an ischemic
(embolic) stroke. To evaluate the patient's current status, the nurse
uses the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). This
scale evaluates eleven separate items, which include all of the
following EXCEPT:
A. Language skills
B. Hearing response
C. Limb ataxia
D. Horizontal eye movements Answer: B. Hearing response
Feedback
The eleven items evaluated on the NIHSS include level of
consciousness, horizontal eye movement, visual field test, facial palsy,
motor arm, motor leg, limb ataxia, sensory loss, language skills,
speech, and extinction/inattention. Hearing is not directly tested,
although several items require the patient to follow verbal directions.
The scale advises certain point levels for patients who are normally
deaf or mute, and suggests alternate methods of testing certain items
on the scale.
⫸ A 43-year-old patient is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU)
for management of acute respiratory failure. Which of the following
arterial blood gas readings MOST closely correlates with this patient's
condition?
A. pH 7.24, pCO2 58, pO2 84 , HCO3 24
B. pH 7. 22, pCO2 70 , pO2 52, HCO3 28
C. pH 7.22, pCO2 45, pO2 90, HCO3 16
D. pH 7.32, pCO2 44, pO2 68, HCO3 20 Answer: B. pH 7. 22, pCO2
70 , pO2 52, HCO3 28
, Feedback
A patient with acute respiratory failure would be expected to be in
uncompensated respiratory acidosis, best represented by low pH, low
oxygen, elevated carbon dioxide, and normal bicarbonate levels on an
arterial blood gas.
⫸ A 32-year-old female patient admitted to a telemetry floor has been
waiting three months for a kidney transplant. Her husband angrily
tells the nurse, "This is ridiculous! I feel so hopeless!" Which of the
following thought patterns should guide the nurse's response?
A. Frustration is a normal part of the grieving process and does not
usually require nursing intervention.
B. Expressions of hopelessness may be harmful to the patient, and
should be made out of the hearing of the patient.
C. Maintaining the integrity of the family system is crucial in the
transplant process.
D. Discussion of negative emotions may disrupt the process of
resolution and should be avoided. Answer: C. Maintaining the
integrity of the family system is crucial in the transplant process.
Feedback
Caring practices involves engaging family caregivers in order to
create supportive and therapeutic environments for comfort and
healing. Discussing this husband's feelings more in depth, perhaps
even in the presence of the patient, will promote optimal family
support during the transplant process.
AND ANSWERS 2026 FULL SOLUTION
⫸ A telemetry nurse is caring for a 59-year-old male patient who is
being evaluated for non-specific cardiac symptoms. Just after the
nurse arrives in the patient's room to administer the morning
medications, the patient loses consciousness. The cardiac monitor
reveals third-degree AV heart block with ventricular escape beats at
38 beats per minute (bpm). The nurse should:
A. Prepare to initiate transcutaneous pacing
B. Administer atropine 0.5 mg IV
C. Prepare the patient for cardioversion
D. Administer adenosine (Adenocard) 6 mg rapid IV push Answer: A.
Prepare to initiate transcutaneous pacing
Feedback
Third-degree heart block with a slow ventricular escape rhythm that is
not sufficient to keep a patient alert should be immediately addressed
by transcutaneous pacing to provide adequate brain perfusion (and
perfusion of other organs). Medications should be administered per
ACLS protocols or as directed by a health care practitioner.
⫸ The nurse is educating a 24 year old patient who has been
diagnosed with diabetic gastroparesis. The nurse teaches the patient
that which of the following lifestyle modifications will be helpful and
appropriate?
A. Drink carbonated beverages regularly
B. Eat a diet high in insoluble fiber
,C. Eat fewer, larger meals every day
D. Ensure well-controlled blood glucose levels Answer: D. Ensure
well-controlled blood glucose levels
Feedback
The nurse should know that ensuring well-controlled blood glucose
levels is one of the most helpful strategies for diabetic gastroparesis.
The other three strategies listed are all contraindicated and can make
the condition worse.
⫸ The nurse is providing discharge education to a 47 year old male
patient who was admitted for acute alcohol withdrawal. The patient
tells the nurse that his intent is to pursue outpatient treatment for
alcohol use disorder. Which of the following teaching points is
appropriate for this patient?
A. Alcoholics Anonymous is the only support group that will really
help a "true" alcoholic
B. Eat a diet rich in leafy greens, legumes, citrus, and whole grains
C. It is important to continue to spend time with old friends and social
circles to establish a pattern of familiarity
D. Stop any new therapy or medication right away if the patient does
not feel that it is beneficial Answer: B. Eat a diet rich in leafy greens,
legumes, citrus, and whole grains
Feedback
The nurse should recall that patients who chronically abuse alcohol
are usually deficient in folate, and the listed foods are rich in folate
and will help the patient replenish their nutrients.
,⫸ A nurse is caring for a patient with a recent history of an ischemic
(embolic) stroke. To evaluate the patient's current status, the nurse
uses the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). This
scale evaluates eleven separate items, which include all of the
following EXCEPT:
A. Language skills
B. Hearing response
C. Limb ataxia
D. Horizontal eye movements Answer: B. Hearing response
Feedback
The eleven items evaluated on the NIHSS include level of
consciousness, horizontal eye movement, visual field test, facial palsy,
motor arm, motor leg, limb ataxia, sensory loss, language skills,
speech, and extinction/inattention. Hearing is not directly tested,
although several items require the patient to follow verbal directions.
The scale advises certain point levels for patients who are normally
deaf or mute, and suggests alternate methods of testing certain items
on the scale.
⫸ A 43-year-old patient is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU)
for management of acute respiratory failure. Which of the following
arterial blood gas readings MOST closely correlates with this patient's
condition?
A. pH 7.24, pCO2 58, pO2 84 , HCO3 24
B. pH 7. 22, pCO2 70 , pO2 52, HCO3 28
C. pH 7.22, pCO2 45, pO2 90, HCO3 16
D. pH 7.32, pCO2 44, pO2 68, HCO3 20 Answer: B. pH 7. 22, pCO2
70 , pO2 52, HCO3 28
, Feedback
A patient with acute respiratory failure would be expected to be in
uncompensated respiratory acidosis, best represented by low pH, low
oxygen, elevated carbon dioxide, and normal bicarbonate levels on an
arterial blood gas.
⫸ A 32-year-old female patient admitted to a telemetry floor has been
waiting three months for a kidney transplant. Her husband angrily
tells the nurse, "This is ridiculous! I feel so hopeless!" Which of the
following thought patterns should guide the nurse's response?
A. Frustration is a normal part of the grieving process and does not
usually require nursing intervention.
B. Expressions of hopelessness may be harmful to the patient, and
should be made out of the hearing of the patient.
C. Maintaining the integrity of the family system is crucial in the
transplant process.
D. Discussion of negative emotions may disrupt the process of
resolution and should be avoided. Answer: C. Maintaining the
integrity of the family system is crucial in the transplant process.
Feedback
Caring practices involves engaging family caregivers in order to
create supportive and therapeutic environments for comfort and
healing. Discussing this husband's feelings more in depth, perhaps
even in the presence of the patient, will promote optimal family
support during the transplant process.
