Page 1 of 97
AACN PCCN (Progressive Care Certified Nurse)
STUDY GUIDE ALL 300 Questions and Verified
Solutions Latest Update This Year
The nurse has read that the cardiologist recommends the use of class IV drugs to depress
sinus and atrioventricular node conduction and terminate supraventricular tachycardias in
the patient at this time. The nurse will anticipate orders for which medications?
a. Verapamil, diltiazem, or amlodipine
The nurse has administered a drug that stimulates β1-adrenergic sites. Following
administration of the drug, the nurse will assess for:
a. increased heart rate.
The nurse is observing the patient's electrocardiographic monitor after insertion of a
temporary pacemaker. Seeing a P-wave after the pacing artifact, the nurse knows that the:
c. atrium is being paced.
The possibility of microshock when handling a temporary pacemaker can be minimized by:
b. insulating the ends of the wires. and wearing gloves when handling the pacing wires
, Page 2 of 97
In the postoperative cardiovascular patient, the most frequent cause of a decreased cardiac
output is:
a. reduced preload.
A patient is being monitored by continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) after placement of a
transvenous pacemaker. "Loss of capture" is seen on the ECG. Which nursing intervention
may correct this situation?
a. Position the patient on the left side. or reposition the leads
In analyzing the ECG strip, the nurse notices a spike before each QRS complex. The patient's
heart rate is 70 beats/min. This phenomenon is reflective of
b. pacing artifact; the pacemaker is sensing and capturing.
Calculate the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) for a patient with a mean arterial pressure
(MAP) = 95 mm Hg and an intracranial pressure (ICP) = 15 mm Hg.
b. 80 mm Hg
What procedure secures an arteriovenous malformation when a pt's condition is too unstable
for surgery?
embolization that can be done to secure the lesion without surgery. When the condition is
more stable, an operation might be considered if needed.
, Page 3 of 97
Knowing that a patient has hypoxemia and ischemia in his brain, the nurse anticipates which
of the following?
a. Cerebrovascular dilation
The nurse observes that the patient's jugular veins distend in the semi-upright position to
more than 5 cm above the sternal angle. This is an indication of:
fluid volume overload.
what is normal Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP)?
5-12 mmHg
The resistance against which the left ventricle must pump to eject its volume is:
systemic vascular resistance.
When the tricuspid valve is open, central venous pressure reflects the filling pressure in the:
right ventricle.
Tachycardia is dangerous for the patient with ischemic heart disease because of:
compromised cardiac output.
During initial examination of a critical care patient, the nurse observes wide and convex nails
and bulbous fingertips. This is evidence of:
central cyanosis.
, Page 4 of 97
Priorities for palpation of the patient with cardiovascular disease include:
estimating edema.
checking capillary refill
checking for DVT
arterial pulses
By blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, angiotensin-converting enzyme
inhibitors produce:
b. vasodilation.
The nurse's priority in eye care for the patient in a coma will be:
c. keeping the eyes moist to prevent corneal ulceration.
The patient has markedly deep, rapid respirations with a fruity breath odor. Based on the
patient's history, the nurse will:
perform a blood glucose measurement.
The patient with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion will
need to have the imbalance of which electrolyte corrected as soon as possible?
Sodium
Which of the following conditions occurs when the renal tubules are unable to reabsorb
excess glucose?
AACN PCCN (Progressive Care Certified Nurse)
STUDY GUIDE ALL 300 Questions and Verified
Solutions Latest Update This Year
The nurse has read that the cardiologist recommends the use of class IV drugs to depress
sinus and atrioventricular node conduction and terminate supraventricular tachycardias in
the patient at this time. The nurse will anticipate orders for which medications?
a. Verapamil, diltiazem, or amlodipine
The nurse has administered a drug that stimulates β1-adrenergic sites. Following
administration of the drug, the nurse will assess for:
a. increased heart rate.
The nurse is observing the patient's electrocardiographic monitor after insertion of a
temporary pacemaker. Seeing a P-wave after the pacing artifact, the nurse knows that the:
c. atrium is being paced.
The possibility of microshock when handling a temporary pacemaker can be minimized by:
b. insulating the ends of the wires. and wearing gloves when handling the pacing wires
, Page 2 of 97
In the postoperative cardiovascular patient, the most frequent cause of a decreased cardiac
output is:
a. reduced preload.
A patient is being monitored by continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) after placement of a
transvenous pacemaker. "Loss of capture" is seen on the ECG. Which nursing intervention
may correct this situation?
a. Position the patient on the left side. or reposition the leads
In analyzing the ECG strip, the nurse notices a spike before each QRS complex. The patient's
heart rate is 70 beats/min. This phenomenon is reflective of
b. pacing artifact; the pacemaker is sensing and capturing.
Calculate the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) for a patient with a mean arterial pressure
(MAP) = 95 mm Hg and an intracranial pressure (ICP) = 15 mm Hg.
b. 80 mm Hg
What procedure secures an arteriovenous malformation when a pt's condition is too unstable
for surgery?
embolization that can be done to secure the lesion without surgery. When the condition is
more stable, an operation might be considered if needed.
, Page 3 of 97
Knowing that a patient has hypoxemia and ischemia in his brain, the nurse anticipates which
of the following?
a. Cerebrovascular dilation
The nurse observes that the patient's jugular veins distend in the semi-upright position to
more than 5 cm above the sternal angle. This is an indication of:
fluid volume overload.
what is normal Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP)?
5-12 mmHg
The resistance against which the left ventricle must pump to eject its volume is:
systemic vascular resistance.
When the tricuspid valve is open, central venous pressure reflects the filling pressure in the:
right ventricle.
Tachycardia is dangerous for the patient with ischemic heart disease because of:
compromised cardiac output.
During initial examination of a critical care patient, the nurse observes wide and convex nails
and bulbous fingertips. This is evidence of:
central cyanosis.
, Page 4 of 97
Priorities for palpation of the patient with cardiovascular disease include:
estimating edema.
checking capillary refill
checking for DVT
arterial pulses
By blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, angiotensin-converting enzyme
inhibitors produce:
b. vasodilation.
The nurse's priority in eye care for the patient in a coma will be:
c. keeping the eyes moist to prevent corneal ulceration.
The patient has markedly deep, rapid respirations with a fruity breath odor. Based on the
patient's history, the nurse will:
perform a blood glucose measurement.
The patient with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion will
need to have the imbalance of which electrolyte corrected as soon as possible?
Sodium
Which of the following conditions occurs when the renal tubules are unable to reabsorb
excess glucose?
