The nurse assesses a 63-year-old woman postoperatively following coronary artery bypass grafting. The patient is hypotensive and has weak peripheral pulses and an increased respiratory rate; laboratory results reveal increased blood urea nitrogen. The physician thinks the patient may be suffering from acute cardiac tamponade. Which of the following diagnostic procedures will the physician request?

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.