CCRN QUESTION BANK -COMPLETE BARRON’S
REVIEW |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026-2027 UPDATED EDITION|GRADED
A+
Question 1
Which of the following are s/s of hypoglycemia?
A) Bradycardia + diaphoresis
B) Tachycardia + trembling
C) Flushed, dry skin + tachycardia
D) Anxiety + flushed, dry skin
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Tachycardia + trembling
When BG drops, SNS stimulation occurs. (S/s of hypoglycemia are masked by beta-
blockers)
Question 2
Which is true for a pt who has had a right-sided stroke + develops increased ICP?
A) Pupils will change before LOC, right sided paralysis, eyes deviate to the left, w a left pupil
change
B) Pupils will change before LOC, left sided paralysis, eyes deviate to the right, w a right pupil
change
C) LOC will change before pupils, right sided paralysis, eyes deviate to the left, w a left pupil
change
D) LOC will change before pupils, there will be left sided paralysis, the eyes will deviate to
the right, w a right pupil change
CORRECT ANSWER
1
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, D) LOC will change before pupils, there will be left sided paralysis, the eyes will deviate to
the right, w a right pupil change
Higher Brain Centers (Cerebral cortex) are the first to be affected by ICP. Therefore,
change in LOC is 1st sign (Epidural hematoma is 1 exception= pupils 1st). Pupil changes
are ipsilateral d/t compression of CNIII against transtentorial notch. Motor changes are
contralateral d/t motor fiber crossings in brain stem
Question 3
Patient post head trauma has ICP of 32. Which is contraindicated?
A) Enteral feedings via NGT
B) HOB 30-45
C) Maintain a MAP 50-60
D) Avoid hypotonic IV solutions
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Maintain a MAP 50-60
Pt has elevated ICP + requires a MAP >60 in order to maintain CPP and prevent brain
ischemia. All other interventions are indicated for elevated ICP
Question 4
Which is associated w Mitral Regurgitation
A) Systolic murmur, sinus brady
B) Diastolic murmur, HF
C) Systolic murmur, inferior wall MI
D) Diastolic murmur, CHB
CORRECT ANSWER
2
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, C) Systolic murmur, inferior wall MI
Inferior MI may result in ischemia and dysfn (regurg) of the Mitral Valve. MV= closed
during systole (LV ejection), murmur is heard when MV is not fully closed during systole
Question 5
A nurse knows that research supports a pt having unrestricted access to his support
system (Fam). However, the unit restricts all visitors to set times. Nurse best response is
to:
A) Gather the facts + propose a policy change to the unit manager
B) Tell pt that policy is outdated but there is nothing we can do bout it
C) continue to follow unit policy
D) complain to colleagues about the policy
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Gather the facts + propose a policy change to the unit manager
This is an effective strategy for change. AACN synergy model supports pt advocacy and
has EBP to support fam presence: visitation in adult ICU
Question 6
Nitrate therapy is indicated for tx of unstable angina + acute HF because it:
A) Decreases preload + increases myocardial O2 demand
B) Increases preload + decreases myocardial O2 demand
C) increases preload + increases myocardial O2 demand
D) Decreases preload + decreases myocardial O2 demand
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Decreases preload + decreases myocardial O2 demand
3
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, Nitrates cause vasodilation, which results in decrease venous return to heart (LV preload
reduction). This decrease in preload decreases the workload of the LV + myocardial O2
demand
Question 7
A pt post-op CABG had a sudden decrease in mediastinal chest tube drainage w HYPOTN,
narrowing PP, + resp variation on Art. Line waveform (Pulsus paradoxus). What other s/s
can you expect?
A) Muffled Heart Sounds
B) Decreased CVP + increased PAOP
C) Flat neck veins
D) Back pain
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Muffled Heart Sounds
Pt s/s are indicative of cardiac tamponade, which muffled HS are another sign, the pt will
likely have an increased CVP and increased peak pressures
Question 8
Pt requests his wife to be present for chest tube insertion procedure. The nurse should:
A) Explain to pt that this is against infection control policies
B) Tell the pt that he will be able to see his wife ASAP after procedure
C) Tell pt it will be too much for the wife to handle
D) Prepare wife for what to expect + allow her to be present
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Prepare wife for what to expect + allow her to be present
4
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
REVIEW |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026-2027 UPDATED EDITION|GRADED
A+
Question 1
Which of the following are s/s of hypoglycemia?
A) Bradycardia + diaphoresis
B) Tachycardia + trembling
C) Flushed, dry skin + tachycardia
D) Anxiety + flushed, dry skin
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Tachycardia + trembling
When BG drops, SNS stimulation occurs. (S/s of hypoglycemia are masked by beta-
blockers)
Question 2
Which is true for a pt who has had a right-sided stroke + develops increased ICP?
A) Pupils will change before LOC, right sided paralysis, eyes deviate to the left, w a left pupil
change
B) Pupils will change before LOC, left sided paralysis, eyes deviate to the right, w a right pupil
change
C) LOC will change before pupils, right sided paralysis, eyes deviate to the left, w a left pupil
change
D) LOC will change before pupils, there will be left sided paralysis, the eyes will deviate to
the right, w a right pupil change
CORRECT ANSWER
1
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, D) LOC will change before pupils, there will be left sided paralysis, the eyes will deviate to
the right, w a right pupil change
Higher Brain Centers (Cerebral cortex) are the first to be affected by ICP. Therefore,
change in LOC is 1st sign (Epidural hematoma is 1 exception= pupils 1st). Pupil changes
are ipsilateral d/t compression of CNIII against transtentorial notch. Motor changes are
contralateral d/t motor fiber crossings in brain stem
Question 3
Patient post head trauma has ICP of 32. Which is contraindicated?
A) Enteral feedings via NGT
B) HOB 30-45
C) Maintain a MAP 50-60
D) Avoid hypotonic IV solutions
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Maintain a MAP 50-60
Pt has elevated ICP + requires a MAP >60 in order to maintain CPP and prevent brain
ischemia. All other interventions are indicated for elevated ICP
Question 4
Which is associated w Mitral Regurgitation
A) Systolic murmur, sinus brady
B) Diastolic murmur, HF
C) Systolic murmur, inferior wall MI
D) Diastolic murmur, CHB
CORRECT ANSWER
2
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, C) Systolic murmur, inferior wall MI
Inferior MI may result in ischemia and dysfn (regurg) of the Mitral Valve. MV= closed
during systole (LV ejection), murmur is heard when MV is not fully closed during systole
Question 5
A nurse knows that research supports a pt having unrestricted access to his support
system (Fam). However, the unit restricts all visitors to set times. Nurse best response is
to:
A) Gather the facts + propose a policy change to the unit manager
B) Tell pt that policy is outdated but there is nothing we can do bout it
C) continue to follow unit policy
D) complain to colleagues about the policy
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Gather the facts + propose a policy change to the unit manager
This is an effective strategy for change. AACN synergy model supports pt advocacy and
has EBP to support fam presence: visitation in adult ICU
Question 6
Nitrate therapy is indicated for tx of unstable angina + acute HF because it:
A) Decreases preload + increases myocardial O2 demand
B) Increases preload + decreases myocardial O2 demand
C) increases preload + increases myocardial O2 demand
D) Decreases preload + decreases myocardial O2 demand
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Decreases preload + decreases myocardial O2 demand
3
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, Nitrates cause vasodilation, which results in decrease venous return to heart (LV preload
reduction). This decrease in preload decreases the workload of the LV + myocardial O2
demand
Question 7
A pt post-op CABG had a sudden decrease in mediastinal chest tube drainage w HYPOTN,
narrowing PP, + resp variation on Art. Line waveform (Pulsus paradoxus). What other s/s
can you expect?
A) Muffled Heart Sounds
B) Decreased CVP + increased PAOP
C) Flat neck veins
D) Back pain
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Muffled Heart Sounds
Pt s/s are indicative of cardiac tamponade, which muffled HS are another sign, the pt will
likely have an increased CVP and increased peak pressures
Question 8
Pt requests his wife to be present for chest tube insertion procedure. The nurse should:
A) Explain to pt that this is against infection control policies
B) Tell the pt that he will be able to see his wife ASAP after procedure
C) Tell pt it will be too much for the wife to handle
D) Prepare wife for what to expect + allow her to be present
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Prepare wife for what to expect + allow her to be present
4
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
