Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Exam | Newest
Questions and Answers | 2026 Update | Expert
Verified
• Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually involving the
valves. -✓✓ Endocarditis
• Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________. -✓✓
Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
• Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled heart sounds,
and hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis? -✓✓ Pericardial tamponade (Beck's
triad)
• Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the ________ must
overcome to eject blood. -✓✓ Left ventricle
• Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity confirmed by
absence of pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea. -✓✓ Cardiopulmonary arrest
• Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and diaphoresis likely has
________. -✓✓ Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
• Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no effective cardiac
output. -✓✓ Ventricular fibrillation
• Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an artery. -✓✓
Dilation or ballooning
,• Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. -✓✓ Pericarditis
• Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins, absent breath
sounds on one side, and hypotension — this indicates ________. -✓✓ Tension
pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
• Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet
the body's needs. -✓✓ Heart failure
• Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein thrombosis is the
________ vein. -✓✓ Popliteal or femoral
• Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus. -✓✓
Pulmonary embolism
• Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a different
BP in each arm may have ________. -✓✓ Aortic dissection
• Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently above normal
range. -✓✓ Hypertension
• Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute STEMI is called a
________. -✓✓ Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
• Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump effectively. -✓✓
Cardiogenic shock
,• Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain, paresthesia, and
pulselessness — think ________. -✓✓ Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral
vascular disease)
• Terminology: Abnormally slow heart rhythm (<60 bpm). -✓✓ Bradycardia
• Fill in the blank: "Preload" refers to the volume of blood returning to the
________. -✓✓ Heart (ventricles)
• Definition: Irregular, chaotic atrial rhythm without distinct P waves. -✓✓ Atrial
fibrillation
• Scenario: Patient with endocarditis develops sudden flank pain — suspect
________. -✓✓ Renal emboli (systemic embolization)
• Terminology: A life-threatening elevation in blood pressure with end-organ
damage. -✓✓ Hypertensive emergency
• Fill in the blank: The definitive treatment for cardiac tamponade is ________. -
✓✓ Pericardiocentesis
• Definition: Failure of blood flow due to mechanical obstruction to cardiac filling.
-✓✓ Obstructive shock
• Scenario: Patient develops chest pain post-MI, friction rub heard — indicates
________. -✓✓ Pericarditis
, • Terminology: Temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased cerebral
perfusion. -✓✓ Syncope
• Fill in the blank: The mnemonic "MONA" (Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin,
Aspirin) applies to initial treatment of ________. -✓✓ Acute coronary syndrome
(ACS)
• Definition: Inflammation and infection of a vein with thrombus formation. -✓✓
Thrombophlebitis
• Definition: Entry of foreign material into the tracheobronchial tree. -✓✓
Aspiration
• Fill in the blank: A chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by
reversible airway obstruction is called ________. -✓✓ Asthma
• Terminology: A progressive, irreversible airflow limitation commonly caused by
chronic bronchitis or emphysema. -✓✓ Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)
• Scenario: A patient presents with fever, productive cough, and crackles in the
right lower lobe. Diagnosis? -✓✓ Pneumonia (respiratory infection)
• Definition: Lung injury caused by inhalation of toxic gases, smoke, or chemicals.
-✓✓ Inhalation injury
Questions and Answers | 2026 Update | Expert
Verified
• Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually involving the
valves. -✓✓ Endocarditis
• Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________. -✓✓
Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
• Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled heart sounds,
and hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis? -✓✓ Pericardial tamponade (Beck's
triad)
• Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the ________ must
overcome to eject blood. -✓✓ Left ventricle
• Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity confirmed by
absence of pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea. -✓✓ Cardiopulmonary arrest
• Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and diaphoresis likely has
________. -✓✓ Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
• Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no effective cardiac
output. -✓✓ Ventricular fibrillation
• Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an artery. -✓✓
Dilation or ballooning
,• Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. -✓✓ Pericarditis
• Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins, absent breath
sounds on one side, and hypotension — this indicates ________. -✓✓ Tension
pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
• Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet
the body's needs. -✓✓ Heart failure
• Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein thrombosis is the
________ vein. -✓✓ Popliteal or femoral
• Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus. -✓✓
Pulmonary embolism
• Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a different
BP in each arm may have ________. -✓✓ Aortic dissection
• Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently above normal
range. -✓✓ Hypertension
• Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute STEMI is called a
________. -✓✓ Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
• Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump effectively. -✓✓
Cardiogenic shock
,• Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain, paresthesia, and
pulselessness — think ________. -✓✓ Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral
vascular disease)
• Terminology: Abnormally slow heart rhythm (<60 bpm). -✓✓ Bradycardia
• Fill in the blank: "Preload" refers to the volume of blood returning to the
________. -✓✓ Heart (ventricles)
• Definition: Irregular, chaotic atrial rhythm without distinct P waves. -✓✓ Atrial
fibrillation
• Scenario: Patient with endocarditis develops sudden flank pain — suspect
________. -✓✓ Renal emboli (systemic embolization)
• Terminology: A life-threatening elevation in blood pressure with end-organ
damage. -✓✓ Hypertensive emergency
• Fill in the blank: The definitive treatment for cardiac tamponade is ________. -
✓✓ Pericardiocentesis
• Definition: Failure of blood flow due to mechanical obstruction to cardiac filling.
-✓✓ Obstructive shock
• Scenario: Patient develops chest pain post-MI, friction rub heard — indicates
________. -✓✓ Pericarditis
, • Terminology: Temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased cerebral
perfusion. -✓✓ Syncope
• Fill in the blank: The mnemonic "MONA" (Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin,
Aspirin) applies to initial treatment of ________. -✓✓ Acute coronary syndrome
(ACS)
• Definition: Inflammation and infection of a vein with thrombus formation. -✓✓
Thrombophlebitis
• Definition: Entry of foreign material into the tracheobronchial tree. -✓✓
Aspiration
• Fill in the blank: A chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by
reversible airway obstruction is called ________. -✓✓ Asthma
• Terminology: A progressive, irreversible airflow limitation commonly caused by
chronic bronchitis or emphysema. -✓✓ Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)
• Scenario: A patient presents with fever, productive cough, and crackles in the
right lower lobe. Diagnosis? -✓✓ Pneumonia (respiratory infection)
• Definition: Lung injury caused by inhalation of toxic gases, smoke, or chemicals.
-✓✓ Inhalation injury
