Certified Emergency Nurse® (Cen®)
Exam 500+ Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Verified.
Fill in the blank: The classic triad of acute aortic dissection includes chest pain,
pulse deficit, and ________. - ANSWER-Widened mediastinum
Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually involving the
valves. - ANSWER-Endocarditis
Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________. - ANSWER-
Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled heart sounds,
and hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis? - ANSWER-Pericardial tamponade
(Beck's triad)
Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the ________ must
overcome to eject blood. - ANSWER-Left ventricle
Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity confirmed by absence
of pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea. - ANSWER-Cardiopulmonary arrest
,Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and diaphoresis likely has
________. - ANSWER-Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no effective cardiac
output. - ANSWER-Ventricular fibrillation
Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an artery. - ANSWER-
Dilation or ballooning
Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. - ANSWER-Pericarditis
Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins, absent breath
sounds on one side, and hypotension — this indicates ________. - ANSWER-
Tension pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet
the body's needs. - ANSWER-Heart failure
Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein thrombosis is the
________ vein. - ANSWER-Popliteal or femoral
Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus. - ANSWER-
Pulmonary embolism
Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a different BP
in each arm may have ________. - ANSWER-Aortic dissection
,Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently above normal range.
- ANSWER-Hypertension
Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute STEMI is called a
________. - ANSWER-Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump effectively. -
ANSWER-Cardiogenic shock
Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain, paresthesia, and
pulselessness — think ________. - ANSWER-Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral
vascular disease)
Terminology: Abnormally slow heart rhythm (<60 bpm). - ANSWER-Bradycardia
Fill in the blank: "Preload" refers to the volume of blood returning to the
________. - ANSWER-Heart (ventricles)
Definition: Irregular, chaotic atrial rhythm without distinct P waves. - ANSWER-
Atrial fibrillation
Scenario: Patient with endocarditis develops sudden flank pain — suspect
________. - ANSWER-Renal emboli (systemic embolization)
, Terminology: A life-threatening elevation in blood pressure with end-organ
damage. - ANSWER-Hypertensive emergency
Fill in the blank: The definitive treatment for cardiac tamponade is ________. -
ANSWER-Pericardiocentesis
Definition: Failure of blood flow due to mechanical obstruction to cardiac filling. -
ANSWER-Obstructive shock
Scenario: Patient develops chest pain post-MI, friction rub heard — indicates
________. - ANSWER-Pericarditis
Terminology: Temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased cerebral
perfusion. - ANSWER-Syncope
Fill in the blank: The mnemonic "MONA" (Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin,
Aspirin) applies to initial treatment of ________. - ANSWER-Acute coronary
syndrome (ACS)
Definition: Inflammation and infection of a vein with thrombus formation. -
ANSWER-Thrombophlebitis
Definition: Entry of foreign material into the tracheobronchial tree. - ANSWER-
Aspiration
Exam 500+ Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Verified.
Fill in the blank: The classic triad of acute aortic dissection includes chest pain,
pulse deficit, and ________. - ANSWER-Widened mediastinum
Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually involving the
valves. - ANSWER-Endocarditis
Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________. - ANSWER-
Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled heart sounds,
and hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis? - ANSWER-Pericardial tamponade
(Beck's triad)
Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the ________ must
overcome to eject blood. - ANSWER-Left ventricle
Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity confirmed by absence
of pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea. - ANSWER-Cardiopulmonary arrest
,Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and diaphoresis likely has
________. - ANSWER-Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no effective cardiac
output. - ANSWER-Ventricular fibrillation
Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an artery. - ANSWER-
Dilation or ballooning
Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. - ANSWER-Pericarditis
Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins, absent breath
sounds on one side, and hypotension — this indicates ________. - ANSWER-
Tension pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet
the body's needs. - ANSWER-Heart failure
Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein thrombosis is the
________ vein. - ANSWER-Popliteal or femoral
Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus. - ANSWER-
Pulmonary embolism
Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a different BP
in each arm may have ________. - ANSWER-Aortic dissection
,Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently above normal range.
- ANSWER-Hypertension
Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute STEMI is called a
________. - ANSWER-Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump effectively. -
ANSWER-Cardiogenic shock
Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain, paresthesia, and
pulselessness — think ________. - ANSWER-Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral
vascular disease)
Terminology: Abnormally slow heart rhythm (<60 bpm). - ANSWER-Bradycardia
Fill in the blank: "Preload" refers to the volume of blood returning to the
________. - ANSWER-Heart (ventricles)
Definition: Irregular, chaotic atrial rhythm without distinct P waves. - ANSWER-
Atrial fibrillation
Scenario: Patient with endocarditis develops sudden flank pain — suspect
________. - ANSWER-Renal emboli (systemic embolization)
, Terminology: A life-threatening elevation in blood pressure with end-organ
damage. - ANSWER-Hypertensive emergency
Fill in the blank: The definitive treatment for cardiac tamponade is ________. -
ANSWER-Pericardiocentesis
Definition: Failure of blood flow due to mechanical obstruction to cardiac filling. -
ANSWER-Obstructive shock
Scenario: Patient develops chest pain post-MI, friction rub heard — indicates
________. - ANSWER-Pericarditis
Terminology: Temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased cerebral
perfusion. - ANSWER-Syncope
Fill in the blank: The mnemonic "MONA" (Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin,
Aspirin) applies to initial treatment of ________. - ANSWER-Acute coronary
syndrome (ACS)
Definition: Inflammation and infection of a vein with thrombus formation. -
ANSWER-Thrombophlebitis
Definition: Entry of foreign material into the tracheobronchial tree. - ANSWER-
Aspiration
