Page 1 of 252
CCRN BARRON/ELSEVIER PRACTICE TEST
2026/2027 EXAM BANK WITH ALL COMPLETE
CURRENT TESTING QUESTION AND DETAILED
CORRECT ANSWER (VERIFIED) GUARANTEED
PASS/TOP-RATED A+.
CCRN
Maximize your success on the CCRN exam with this focused
preparation resource that strengthens your understanding of
acute and critical care nursing, including complex patient
management, advanced hemodynamics, and lifesaving
interventions. It is ideal for critical care nurses seeking to
validate their expertise and prepare for the AACN's CCRN
credentialing exam.
What is vasogenic cerebral edema? ...... ANSWER .......
Vasogenic cerebral edema is an increase in extracellular
fluid caused by a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier
with the resultant increase in vascular permeability. This
cerebral edema begins locally and becomes more
generalized. Common causes are trauma (including
surgical trauma), tumors, hemorrhage, and abscesses
, Page 2 of 252
What ventilator parameter indicates fluid volume excess?
...... ANSWER ....... An A:a gradient greater than 10 mm
Hg is a reflection of a diffusion defect. Note that the
process of diffusion is between A (alveolus) and (a)
arterial blood. An increase in intraalveolar fluid dilutes
and inactivates surfactant, causing alveolar collapse
(decreasing vital capacity) and decreases lung
compliance. Peak inspiratory pressure increases reflect a
decrease in lung compliance
What does autonomy refer to? ...... ANSWER ....... The
patient's right to make decisions for themselves
What does beneficence mean? ...... ANSWER .......
Obligation to do good
What does nonmaleficence mean? ...... ANSWER .......
Obligation to do no harm
What does fidelity mean? ...... ANSWER ....... the
obligation to abide by agreements and responsibilities
, Page 3 of 252
What does veracity mean? ...... ANSWER ....... The
obligation to tell the truth
What are Diagnosis-Related groups? ...... ANSWER .......
DRGs constitute a prospective payment program for
Medicare patients. Payment is based on primary and
secondary diagnosis, primary and secondary procedures,
age, and length of hospitalization
BNP is secreted in response to? ...... ANSWER .......
Ventricular wall stretch
What are omnious signs in a patient with status
asthmaticus? ...... ANSWER ....... A normalization or
increase in the PaCO2. This patient is still tachypneic,
and if ventilation is normal, PaCO2 should be decreased.
The other ominous sign in this patient would be absence
of wheezing or rhonchi, because they would indicate that
ventilation is insufficient to cause these noises.
What problems arise from losses from the GI tract? ......
ANSWER ....... Any loss results in hypokalemia. Vomiting
, Page 4 of 252
results in loss of acidic contents, whereas losses below
the pylorus result is alkalitic losses leading to metabolic
acidosis. Fluid is sequestered in the intestine leading to
hypovolemia, which could cause hypovolemic shock.
Actual problems are worse than potential problems!!
How can you differentiate the cause of jaundice? ......
ANSWER ....... An increase in direct bilirubin is
associated with biliary obstruction because direct
bilirubin is conjugated. An increase in indirect bilirubin is
associated with hepatic disease or excessive hemolysis
because indirect bilirubin is unconjugated
What antihypertensive meds work best in African american
patients? ...... ANSWER ....... African-Americans do not
respond well to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
(e.g., captopril [Capoten]), but they do respond well to an
angiotensin II blocker (valsartan [Diovan]). Of the beta-
blockers, labetalol works best. Of the calcium channel
blockers, diltiazem works best
CCRN BARRON/ELSEVIER PRACTICE TEST
2026/2027 EXAM BANK WITH ALL COMPLETE
CURRENT TESTING QUESTION AND DETAILED
CORRECT ANSWER (VERIFIED) GUARANTEED
PASS/TOP-RATED A+.
CCRN
Maximize your success on the CCRN exam with this focused
preparation resource that strengthens your understanding of
acute and critical care nursing, including complex patient
management, advanced hemodynamics, and lifesaving
interventions. It is ideal for critical care nurses seeking to
validate their expertise and prepare for the AACN's CCRN
credentialing exam.
What is vasogenic cerebral edema? ...... ANSWER .......
Vasogenic cerebral edema is an increase in extracellular
fluid caused by a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier
with the resultant increase in vascular permeability. This
cerebral edema begins locally and becomes more
generalized. Common causes are trauma (including
surgical trauma), tumors, hemorrhage, and abscesses
, Page 2 of 252
What ventilator parameter indicates fluid volume excess?
...... ANSWER ....... An A:a gradient greater than 10 mm
Hg is a reflection of a diffusion defect. Note that the
process of diffusion is between A (alveolus) and (a)
arterial blood. An increase in intraalveolar fluid dilutes
and inactivates surfactant, causing alveolar collapse
(decreasing vital capacity) and decreases lung
compliance. Peak inspiratory pressure increases reflect a
decrease in lung compliance
What does autonomy refer to? ...... ANSWER ....... The
patient's right to make decisions for themselves
What does beneficence mean? ...... ANSWER .......
Obligation to do good
What does nonmaleficence mean? ...... ANSWER .......
Obligation to do no harm
What does fidelity mean? ...... ANSWER ....... the
obligation to abide by agreements and responsibilities
, Page 3 of 252
What does veracity mean? ...... ANSWER ....... The
obligation to tell the truth
What are Diagnosis-Related groups? ...... ANSWER .......
DRGs constitute a prospective payment program for
Medicare patients. Payment is based on primary and
secondary diagnosis, primary and secondary procedures,
age, and length of hospitalization
BNP is secreted in response to? ...... ANSWER .......
Ventricular wall stretch
What are omnious signs in a patient with status
asthmaticus? ...... ANSWER ....... A normalization or
increase in the PaCO2. This patient is still tachypneic,
and if ventilation is normal, PaCO2 should be decreased.
The other ominous sign in this patient would be absence
of wheezing or rhonchi, because they would indicate that
ventilation is insufficient to cause these noises.
What problems arise from losses from the GI tract? ......
ANSWER ....... Any loss results in hypokalemia. Vomiting
, Page 4 of 252
results in loss of acidic contents, whereas losses below
the pylorus result is alkalitic losses leading to metabolic
acidosis. Fluid is sequestered in the intestine leading to
hypovolemia, which could cause hypovolemic shock.
Actual problems are worse than potential problems!!
How can you differentiate the cause of jaundice? ......
ANSWER ....... An increase in direct bilirubin is
associated with biliary obstruction because direct
bilirubin is conjugated. An increase in indirect bilirubin is
associated with hepatic disease or excessive hemolysis
because indirect bilirubin is unconjugated
What antihypertensive meds work best in African american
patients? ...... ANSWER ....... African-Americans do not
respond well to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
(e.g., captopril [Capoten]), but they do respond well to an
angiotensin II blocker (valsartan [Diovan]). Of the beta-
blockers, labetalol works best. Of the calcium channel
blockers, diltiazem works best
