PCCN EXAM SCRIPT 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ what is normal Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP)?
Answer: 5-12 mmHg
◉ The resistance against which the left ventricle must pump to eject
its volume is: Answer: systemic vascular resistance.
◉ When the tricuspid valve is open, central venous pressure reflects
the filling pressure in the: Answer: right ventricle.
◉ Tachycardia is dangerous for the patient with ischemic heart
disease because of: Answer: 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: Answer: central cyanosis.
◉ Priorities for palpation of the patient with cardiovascular disease
include: Answer: 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: Answer: b.
vasodilation.
◉ 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?
Answer: 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:
Answer: 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: Answer: c. atrium is being
paced.
◉ The possibility of microshock when handling a temporary
pacemaker can be minimized by: Answer: b. insulating the ends of
the wires. and wearing gloves when handling the pacing wires
,◉ In the postoperative cardiovascular patient, the most frequent
cause of a decreased cardiac output is: Answer: 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? Answer: 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 Answer: 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. Answer: b. 80 mm Hg
◉ What procedure secures an arteriovenous malformation when a
pt's condition is too unstable for surgery? Answer: embolization that
can be done to secure the lesion without surgery. When the
condition is more stable, an operation might be considered if
needed.
, ◉ Knowing that a patient has hypoxemia and ischemia in his brain,
the nurse anticipates which of the following? Answer: a.
Cerebrovascular dilation
◉ The nurse's priority in eye care for the patient in a coma will be:
Answer: 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: Answer:
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? Answer: Sodium
◉ Which of the following conditions occurs when the renal tubules
are unable to reabsorb excess glucose? Answer: Glycosuria
◉ The patient has a waist measurement of 52 inches. His
triglyceride level is 175 mg/dL, his high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
cholesterol level is 32 mg/dL, and his fasting plasma glucose level is
224 mg/dL. His blood pressure readings are usually approximately
140/90 mm Hg. The nurse recognizes the characteristics of: Answer:
metabolic syndrome.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ what is normal Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP)?
Answer: 5-12 mmHg
◉ The resistance against which the left ventricle must pump to eject
its volume is: Answer: systemic vascular resistance.
◉ When the tricuspid valve is open, central venous pressure reflects
the filling pressure in the: Answer: right ventricle.
◉ Tachycardia is dangerous for the patient with ischemic heart
disease because of: Answer: 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: Answer: central cyanosis.
◉ Priorities for palpation of the patient with cardiovascular disease
include: Answer: 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: Answer: b.
vasodilation.
◉ 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?
Answer: 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:
Answer: 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: Answer: c. atrium is being
paced.
◉ The possibility of microshock when handling a temporary
pacemaker can be minimized by: Answer: b. insulating the ends of
the wires. and wearing gloves when handling the pacing wires
,◉ In the postoperative cardiovascular patient, the most frequent
cause of a decreased cardiac output is: Answer: 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? Answer: 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 Answer: 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. Answer: b. 80 mm Hg
◉ What procedure secures an arteriovenous malformation when a
pt's condition is too unstable for surgery? Answer: embolization that
can be done to secure the lesion without surgery. When the
condition is more stable, an operation might be considered if
needed.
, ◉ Knowing that a patient has hypoxemia and ischemia in his brain,
the nurse anticipates which of the following? Answer: a.
Cerebrovascular dilation
◉ The nurse's priority in eye care for the patient in a coma will be:
Answer: 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: Answer:
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? Answer: Sodium
◉ Which of the following conditions occurs when the renal tubules
are unable to reabsorb excess glucose? Answer: Glycosuria
◉ The patient has a waist measurement of 52 inches. His
triglyceride level is 175 mg/dL, his high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
cholesterol level is 32 mg/dL, and his fasting plasma glucose level is
224 mg/dL. His blood pressure readings are usually approximately
140/90 mm Hg. The nurse recognizes the characteristics of: Answer:
metabolic syndrome.
