CERTIFIED EMERGENCY NURSE (CEN)
EXAM QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A INSTANT
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1. A patient presents with chest pain radiating to the left arm, diaphoresis, and
nausea. Which intervention should be performed first?
A. Obtain a chest X-ray
B. Administer aspirin
C. Start IV fluids
D. Draw cardiac enzymes
Answer: B
Rationale: Early aspirin administration reduces platelet aggregation and
mortality in suspected acute coronary syndrome and should be given as
soon as possible unless contraindicated.
2. A trauma patient has unequal pupils and a decreasing level of
consciousness. Which condition is most likely?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Spinal shock
C. Increased intracranial pressure
D. Hypovolemic shock
Answer: C
Rationale: Unequal pupils and declining consciousness are classic signs of
rising intracranial pressure and possible herniation.
,3. A patient with asthma is not responding to inhaled bronchodilators and has
silent breath sounds. What is the priority action?
A. Obtain a peak flow
B. Administer IV steroids
C. Prepare for intubation
D. Repeat nebulizer treatment
Answer: C
Rationale: Silent breath sounds indicate severe airway obstruction and
impending respiratory failure, requiring airway management.
4. Which rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?
A. Asystole
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Sinus bradycardia
D. Atrial fibrillation
Answer: B
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is a shockable rhythm and requires
immediate defibrillation.
5. A patient with burns to the face and singed nasal hairs is at greatest risk for
which complication?
A. Hypothermia
B. Airway obstruction
C. Fluid overload
D. Infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Facial burns and singed hairs suggest inhalation injury, placing
the patient at high risk for airway edema and obstruction.
6. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with suspected sepsis?
A. Fever
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypotension
D. Elevated white blood cell count
, Answer: C
Rationale: Hypotension indicates septic shock and poor tissue perfusion,
requiring immediate intervention.
7. A patient presents after a snake bite with progressive swelling and pain.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Apply a tourniquet
B. Immobilize the extremity
C. Incise the wound
D. Apply ice
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobilization slows venom spread; tourniquets and incision
are contraindicated.
8. Which patient should be triaged as highest priority?
A. Ankle sprain with swelling
B. Laceration requiring sutures
C. Chest pain with ST elevation
D. Migraine headache
Answer: C
Rationale: ST elevation indicates an acute myocardial infarction, a life-
threatening condition.
9. In hypovolemic shock, which assessment finding is expected?
A. Bounding pulses
B. Hypertension
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Vasoconstriction causes cool, clammy skin in hypovolemic
shock.
10.A patient with suspected stroke arrives within 1 hour of symptom onset.
What is the priority action?
A. Administer aspirin
EXAM QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient presents with chest pain radiating to the left arm, diaphoresis, and
nausea. Which intervention should be performed first?
A. Obtain a chest X-ray
B. Administer aspirin
C. Start IV fluids
D. Draw cardiac enzymes
Answer: B
Rationale: Early aspirin administration reduces platelet aggregation and
mortality in suspected acute coronary syndrome and should be given as
soon as possible unless contraindicated.
2. A trauma patient has unequal pupils and a decreasing level of
consciousness. Which condition is most likely?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Spinal shock
C. Increased intracranial pressure
D. Hypovolemic shock
Answer: C
Rationale: Unequal pupils and declining consciousness are classic signs of
rising intracranial pressure and possible herniation.
,3. A patient with asthma is not responding to inhaled bronchodilators and has
silent breath sounds. What is the priority action?
A. Obtain a peak flow
B. Administer IV steroids
C. Prepare for intubation
D. Repeat nebulizer treatment
Answer: C
Rationale: Silent breath sounds indicate severe airway obstruction and
impending respiratory failure, requiring airway management.
4. Which rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?
A. Asystole
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Sinus bradycardia
D. Atrial fibrillation
Answer: B
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is a shockable rhythm and requires
immediate defibrillation.
5. A patient with burns to the face and singed nasal hairs is at greatest risk for
which complication?
A. Hypothermia
B. Airway obstruction
C. Fluid overload
D. Infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Facial burns and singed hairs suggest inhalation injury, placing
the patient at high risk for airway edema and obstruction.
6. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with suspected sepsis?
A. Fever
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypotension
D. Elevated white blood cell count
, Answer: C
Rationale: Hypotension indicates septic shock and poor tissue perfusion,
requiring immediate intervention.
7. A patient presents after a snake bite with progressive swelling and pain.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Apply a tourniquet
B. Immobilize the extremity
C. Incise the wound
D. Apply ice
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobilization slows venom spread; tourniquets and incision
are contraindicated.
8. Which patient should be triaged as highest priority?
A. Ankle sprain with swelling
B. Laceration requiring sutures
C. Chest pain with ST elevation
D. Migraine headache
Answer: C
Rationale: ST elevation indicates an acute myocardial infarction, a life-
threatening condition.
9. In hypovolemic shock, which assessment finding is expected?
A. Bounding pulses
B. Hypertension
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Vasoconstriction causes cool, clammy skin in hypovolemic
shock.
10.A patient with suspected stroke arrives within 1 hour of symptom onset.
What is the priority action?
A. Administer aspirin
