CCRN/PPCN Certification
Exam AACN Critical Care
Exam 1 (Part 1) Questions
With Accurate Answers
AACN: mission? vision? values? correct answer Mission: focuses on assisting acute and critical care
nurses to attain knowledge and influence to deliver excellence care
Vision: supports creating a health care system driven by the needs of patients and families in which
critical care nurses make their optimal contributions, which is described as synergy (mixture of nurse,
system, and patient along with patient characteristics and nurse competencies)
Values: accountability, advocacy, integrity, collaboration, leadership, stewardship, lifelong learning,
quality, innovation, and commitment
Can you explain what a bundle of care is? Give an example of one you may see at the bedside? correct
answer Can you explain what a bundle of care is?
Bundle of Care→ evidence based best practices that are done as a whole to improve outcomes
A "bundle" is a group of interventions related to a disease process that, when executed together, result
in better outcomes than when implemented individually.
Give an example of one you may see at the bedside
Ventilator Bundle
Can you give examples of things you may need to communicate during multi-professional rounds?
correct answer discharge needs
Greatest safety risk
Implementation of critical care "bundles"
Assessment and recommended follow-ups
cardiac and hemodynamic status
volume status
neurologic status
pain,agitation, and delirium
, sedation needs
gastrointestinal status, including bowel management
nutrition
skin issues
activity
infection status (culture results/therapeutic levels of antibiotics)
laboratory results
radiologic test results
assess need for all ordered medications
identify whether central lines and invasive catheters and tubes can be removed
identify whether indwelling urinary catheter can be removed
issues that need to be addressed
family needs--educational, psychosocial, spiritual
code status
advance directives
parameters for calling the physician
treatment goals and strategies to achieve them
plans for discussing care and needs with families
certifications: CCRN? PCCN? ACCNS? ACNPC-AG? why are certifications important? correct answer CCRN
→ nurses who provide care for critically ill adult, pediatric, or neonatal populations
PCCN → nurses who provide acute care in progressive care, telemetry, and similar units
Once nurses achieve the CCRN or PCCN credential, they can be eligible to sit for additional subspeciality
certification in cardiac medicine or cardiac surgery
ACCNS→ acute and critical care clinical nurse specialist
ACNPC-AG→ acute care nurse practitioners
Why are certifications important?
validates knowledge of critical care nursing, promotes professional excellence, and helps nurse to
maintain a current knowledge base
Exam AACN Critical Care
Exam 1 (Part 1) Questions
With Accurate Answers
AACN: mission? vision? values? correct answer Mission: focuses on assisting acute and critical care
nurses to attain knowledge and influence to deliver excellence care
Vision: supports creating a health care system driven by the needs of patients and families in which
critical care nurses make their optimal contributions, which is described as synergy (mixture of nurse,
system, and patient along with patient characteristics and nurse competencies)
Values: accountability, advocacy, integrity, collaboration, leadership, stewardship, lifelong learning,
quality, innovation, and commitment
Can you explain what a bundle of care is? Give an example of one you may see at the bedside? correct
answer Can you explain what a bundle of care is?
Bundle of Care→ evidence based best practices that are done as a whole to improve outcomes
A "bundle" is a group of interventions related to a disease process that, when executed together, result
in better outcomes than when implemented individually.
Give an example of one you may see at the bedside
Ventilator Bundle
Can you give examples of things you may need to communicate during multi-professional rounds?
correct answer discharge needs
Greatest safety risk
Implementation of critical care "bundles"
Assessment and recommended follow-ups
cardiac and hemodynamic status
volume status
neurologic status
pain,agitation, and delirium
, sedation needs
gastrointestinal status, including bowel management
nutrition
skin issues
activity
infection status (culture results/therapeutic levels of antibiotics)
laboratory results
radiologic test results
assess need for all ordered medications
identify whether central lines and invasive catheters and tubes can be removed
identify whether indwelling urinary catheter can be removed
issues that need to be addressed
family needs--educational, psychosocial, spiritual
code status
advance directives
parameters for calling the physician
treatment goals and strategies to achieve them
plans for discussing care and needs with families
certifications: CCRN? PCCN? ACCNS? ACNPC-AG? why are certifications important? correct answer CCRN
→ nurses who provide care for critically ill adult, pediatric, or neonatal populations
PCCN → nurses who provide acute care in progressive care, telemetry, and similar units
Once nurses achieve the CCRN or PCCN credential, they can be eligible to sit for additional subspeciality
certification in cardiac medicine or cardiac surgery
ACCNS→ acute and critical care clinical nurse specialist
ACNPC-AG→ acute care nurse practitioners
Why are certifications important?
validates knowledge of critical care nursing, promotes professional excellence, and helps nurse to
maintain a current knowledge base
