ADULT CCRN/PCCN CERTIFICATION
PRACTICE TEST EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2026.
One day following posterior spinal fusion surgery a 35 year old female suddenly exhibits
restlessness, labored breathing and acute chest pain. Her heart rate is 122/min., she is afebrile,
and exhibits slightly diminished breath sounds on the right side.
The findings described above should lead the nurse to suspect that the patient has developed:
A. A spontaneous pneumothorax
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. Aspiration pneumonia
D. A pleural effusion - ANS B. A pulmonary embolus
One day following posterior spinal fusion surgery a 35 year old female suddenly exhibits
restlessness, labored breathing and acute chest pain. Her heart rate is 122/min., she is afebrile,
and exhibits slightly diminished breath sounds on the right side.
Which of the following will most likely confirm the patient's diagnosis?
A. Pulmonary radioisotope scan
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,B. Echocardiogram
C. Cardiac enzyme studies
D. Chest x-ray and arterial blood gases - ANS A. Pulmonary radioisotope scan
The nursing staff does not wish to be assigned a difficult patient who continues to demonstrate
disorderly behavior. Which of the following is an acceptable solution?
A. Request the family control the patient's behavior.
B. Transfer the patient
C. The patient assignment should be decided by the Charge Nurse.
D. Alternate the patient assignment among the nursing staff. - ANS D. Alternate the patient
assignment among the nursing staff.
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly demonstrates
shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to 45/min. His SpO2 went from
95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen
via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported. Auscultation of the
lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously.
The findings described above should lead the nurse to believe that the patient has:
A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. A spontaneous pneumothorax
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, D. Aspiration pneumonia - ANS A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly demonstrates
shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to 45/min. His SpO2 went from
95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen
via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported. Auscultation of the
lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously.
On admission, your patient's arterial blood gas on room air is: pH 7.23, PaCO2 55, PaO2 90,
HCO3 30. The correct arterial blood gas interpretation is:
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
C. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis - ANS C. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly demonstrates
shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to 45/min. His SpO2 went from
95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen
via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported. Auscultation of the
lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
PRACTICE TEST EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2026.
One day following posterior spinal fusion surgery a 35 year old female suddenly exhibits
restlessness, labored breathing and acute chest pain. Her heart rate is 122/min., she is afebrile,
and exhibits slightly diminished breath sounds on the right side.
The findings described above should lead the nurse to suspect that the patient has developed:
A. A spontaneous pneumothorax
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. Aspiration pneumonia
D. A pleural effusion - ANS B. A pulmonary embolus
One day following posterior spinal fusion surgery a 35 year old female suddenly exhibits
restlessness, labored breathing and acute chest pain. Her heart rate is 122/min., she is afebrile,
and exhibits slightly diminished breath sounds on the right side.
Which of the following will most likely confirm the patient's diagnosis?
A. Pulmonary radioisotope scan
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,B. Echocardiogram
C. Cardiac enzyme studies
D. Chest x-ray and arterial blood gases - ANS A. Pulmonary radioisotope scan
The nursing staff does not wish to be assigned a difficult patient who continues to demonstrate
disorderly behavior. Which of the following is an acceptable solution?
A. Request the family control the patient's behavior.
B. Transfer the patient
C. The patient assignment should be decided by the Charge Nurse.
D. Alternate the patient assignment among the nursing staff. - ANS D. Alternate the patient
assignment among the nursing staff.
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly demonstrates
shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to 45/min. His SpO2 went from
95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen
via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported. Auscultation of the
lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously.
The findings described above should lead the nurse to believe that the patient has:
A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. A spontaneous pneumothorax
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, D. Aspiration pneumonia - ANS A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly demonstrates
shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to 45/min. His SpO2 went from
95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen
via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported. Auscultation of the
lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously.
On admission, your patient's arterial blood gas on room air is: pH 7.23, PaCO2 55, PaO2 90,
HCO3 30. The correct arterial blood gas interpretation is:
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
C. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis - ANS C. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly demonstrates
shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to 45/min. His SpO2 went from
95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen
via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported. Auscultation of the
lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
