CCRN EXAM STUDY GUIDE |ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-2027 UPDATED
EDITION|GRADED A+
Question 1
Which of the following would be the earliest auscultatory finding in left ventricular failure
(LVF)?
A. Crackles
B. S3
C. Murmur of mitral regurgitation
D. Pericardial friction rub
CORRECT ANSWER
B. S3
LVF would be the most subtle because early changes are usually subtle changes. Choose
"S3."
Question 2
A patient with a triple-lumen subclavian catheter has been receiving total parenteral
nutrition, maintenance fluids, and antibiotics by the catheter. He has been slightly
confused. Suddenly he grasps the catheter and pulls it out. He then complains of shortness
of breath, and his pulse oximetry indicates an SpO2 of 84%. How should this patient be
positioned?
A. Head down, left side
B. Head down, right side
C. Head of bed elevated, left side
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,D. Head of bed elevated, right side
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Head down, left side
Envision a big air bubble in the patient's heart. Think: what position would decrease the
movement of the air embolism out of the right side of the heart. Chose "Head down, left
side."
Question 3
Oxygen delivery (DO2) is the product of which of the following?
A.
PaO2, hemoglobin, mean arterial pressure
B.
SaO2, hemoglobin, cardiac output
C.
SvO2, cardiac index, SaO2
D.
PaO2, mean arterial pressure, SvO2
CORRECT ANSWER
B. SaO2, hemoglobin, cardiac output
Question 4
Oxygen is delivered from the arterial end, so choose an option that has SaO2
2
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,Question 5
Which of the following is the most significant complication of status asthmaticus?
A.
Pulmonary embolism
B.
Acute respiratory failure
C.
Hypertension
D.
Anaphylaxis
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Acute respiratory failure
Question 6
A 22-year-old man is admitted to the critical care unit after a motor vehicle collision. The
emergency department nurse reports that he was unconscious at the scene of the
accident, but he is now alert and oriented. Skull films show a linear fracture of the right
temporal bone. He is at significant risk for:
A.
scalp hematoma.
B.
subdural hematoma.
C.
epidural hematoma.
D.
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, intracerebral hematoma.
CORRECT ANSWER
C. epidural hematoma.
Linear fractures of the temporal bone frequently disrupt the middle meningeal artery
and cause epidural hematoma. Patients with an epidural hematoma classically present
with a short period of unconsciousness followed by a lucid interval and then rapid
deterioration. An epidural hematoma is usually caused by arterial bleeding.
Question 7
A patient is admitted to the ICU after sustaining a concussion and blunt abdominal trauma
to the right upper quadrant in a domestic dispute. The patient's vital signs are BP 145/86
mm Hg, pulse 86 beats/min, respiration 15 breaths/min, and temperature 98.8° F. The
nurse is monitoring the patient's bowel sounds, abdominal tenderness, and abdominal
girth frequently. Which of the following laboratory parameters is especially important for
the nurse to closely monitor for bleeding in this patient?
A.
Platelet count
B.
Protime
C.
Hematocrit
D.
Mean corpuscular volume
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Hematocrit
4
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AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-2027 UPDATED
EDITION|GRADED A+
Question 1
Which of the following would be the earliest auscultatory finding in left ventricular failure
(LVF)?
A. Crackles
B. S3
C. Murmur of mitral regurgitation
D. Pericardial friction rub
CORRECT ANSWER
B. S3
LVF would be the most subtle because early changes are usually subtle changes. Choose
"S3."
Question 2
A patient with a triple-lumen subclavian catheter has been receiving total parenteral
nutrition, maintenance fluids, and antibiotics by the catheter. He has been slightly
confused. Suddenly he grasps the catheter and pulls it out. He then complains of shortness
of breath, and his pulse oximetry indicates an SpO2 of 84%. How should this patient be
positioned?
A. Head down, left side
B. Head down, right side
C. Head of bed elevated, left side
1
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,D. Head of bed elevated, right side
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Head down, left side
Envision a big air bubble in the patient's heart. Think: what position would decrease the
movement of the air embolism out of the right side of the heart. Chose "Head down, left
side."
Question 3
Oxygen delivery (DO2) is the product of which of the following?
A.
PaO2, hemoglobin, mean arterial pressure
B.
SaO2, hemoglobin, cardiac output
C.
SvO2, cardiac index, SaO2
D.
PaO2, mean arterial pressure, SvO2
CORRECT ANSWER
B. SaO2, hemoglobin, cardiac output
Question 4
Oxygen is delivered from the arterial end, so choose an option that has SaO2
2
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,Question 5
Which of the following is the most significant complication of status asthmaticus?
A.
Pulmonary embolism
B.
Acute respiratory failure
C.
Hypertension
D.
Anaphylaxis
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Acute respiratory failure
Question 6
A 22-year-old man is admitted to the critical care unit after a motor vehicle collision. The
emergency department nurse reports that he was unconscious at the scene of the
accident, but he is now alert and oriented. Skull films show a linear fracture of the right
temporal bone. He is at significant risk for:
A.
scalp hematoma.
B.
subdural hematoma.
C.
epidural hematoma.
D.
3
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, intracerebral hematoma.
CORRECT ANSWER
C. epidural hematoma.
Linear fractures of the temporal bone frequently disrupt the middle meningeal artery
and cause epidural hematoma. Patients with an epidural hematoma classically present
with a short period of unconsciousness followed by a lucid interval and then rapid
deterioration. An epidural hematoma is usually caused by arterial bleeding.
Question 7
A patient is admitted to the ICU after sustaining a concussion and blunt abdominal trauma
to the right upper quadrant in a domestic dispute. The patient's vital signs are BP 145/86
mm Hg, pulse 86 beats/min, respiration 15 breaths/min, and temperature 98.8° F. The
nurse is monitoring the patient's bowel sounds, abdominal tenderness, and abdominal
girth frequently. Which of the following laboratory parameters is especially important for
the nurse to closely monitor for bleeding in this patient?
A.
Platelet count
B.
Protime
C.
Hematocrit
D.
Mean corpuscular volume
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Hematocrit
4
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