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PCCN Practice Test 1
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The Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN) exam is administered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), which is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. The PCCN examination tests applicants' knowledge of caring for acutely ill adult patients.

PCCN is a specialty certification for nurses who provide direct care to acutely ill adult patients regardless of their physical location. Nurses interested in this certification may work in areas such as intermediate care, direct observation, stepdown, telemetry, transitional care or emergency departments.

PCCN Practice Test 1
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25 Questions

1. A 28-year-old male patient is being treated for acute pancreatitis when he becomes delirious, agitated, and abusive. He tries to get out of bed and pulls out his IV; consequently, restraints are considered to protect the patient and staff. Which of the following nursing actions would be ethically inappropriate?
2. On discharging a male patient with stable angina, the nurse should ensure that the patient is educated about his medications. Which of the following is NOT recommended for the pharmacologic treatment of angina?
3. Which of the following adventitious breath sounds are associated with fluid in the small airways?
4. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the
5. Cardiac index is based on
6. A 48-year-old man with cirrhosis is hospitalized for treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. During the morning shift, he suddenly vomits projectile coffee ground–like material; on examination, his blood pressure is low and he has a tachycardia. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for these signs and symptoms?
7. A 42-year-old primigravida patient with diabetes is being treated for placental abruption. On assessment, the nurse notes petechiae and blood oozing from the patient's IV line. The patient's blood pressure is 90/55 mmHg, and her temperature is 102°F. Following measures to treat the underlying causes of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which of the following laboratory results provides evidence of patient improvement?
8. The nurse monitoring a 64-year-old male patient 6 hours after coronary artery bypass grafting notes that his blood pressure is 180/95 mmHg. Which pharmacologic agent would NOT be prescribed?
9. Following 5 days in the ICU, a 24-year-old female patient is transferred to progressive care. After the first night, she reports not sleeping and becomes increasingly anxious. Which of the following approaches is acceptable for care of this patient?
10. Nursing assessment of a 45-year-old woman reporting epigastric pain reveals that she has abdominal tenderness, hyperactive bowel sounds, nausea and vomiting, and weight loss. The physician orders an upper GI series to rule out which of the following?
11. Coronary blood flow rate is approximately
12. Following a diagnosis of myocarditis, a 58-year-old male patient has a permanent pacemaker inserted. The nurse should ensure the patient understands about the need to
13. The nurse is performing tracheotomy stoma care for a patient on mechanical ventilation who is being weaned from the tracheostomy tube. The patient's family asks what will happen when the patient's tube is removed. What should the nurse tell the family?
14. When the chest wall is palpated, what does a barrel chest typically indicate?
15. Which of the following laboratory results would the nurse expect to find with a patient who has heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?
16. Complications associated with long-term transfusions for sickle cell anemia patients include
17. A nurse is monitoring a patient just before shift change and notices that the patient's peripheral IV has stopped. On inspection, there is swelling and tenderness at the venipuncture site, and it appears as though the IV has infiltrated. The patient's notes reveal this is the third infiltration in 24 hours. Which of the following actions by the nurse is an example of an inquiry-based approach?
18. An underweight 67-year-old woman is admitted with an audible expiratory wheeze. She has a history of a productive cough for the previous 6 months. Laboratory findings confirm chronic bronchitis. The patient is widowed, lives on her own, and has smoked cigarettes for 40 years. What is the priority for discharge planning?
19. A 65-year-old woman is admitted with chest pain and a preliminary diagnosis of aortic dissection. The signs and symptoms associated with aortic dissection can be differentiated from those associated with myocardial infarction by which of the following?
20. A patient with rheumatoid arthritis and acute leukemia is admitted with a cough following a first cycle of chemotherapy. Assessment reveals hypotension, temperature of 38.4 degrees Celsius, and absolute neutrophil count of <500 cells/µL. The MOST essential nursing action is
21. Which of the following is the leading cause of death in ICUs?
22. Minute ventilation (VE) is composed of
23. A 37-year-old obese woman with a history of obstructive sleep apnea is being discharged. Which of the following best describes the MAIN priority for her home care?
24. The nurse is monitoring a 69-year-old male patient who is being treated for Cushing syndrome. He complains of headache and nausea. On assessment, his blood pressure is 210/126 mmHg. Which of the following interventions should the nurse anticipate?
25. A patient with pneumothorax has a chest tube in situ to evacuate air. When monitoring the bottle, the nurse notices constant bubbling into the water. Which of the following should the nurse do FIRST?

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