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CCRN EXAM 2025 VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+.
Your patient admitted with an NSTEMI develops acute shortness of breath, recurrence of chest pain, and a loud systolic murmur at the apex of the heart. Which of the following has most likely occurred? (A) the patient has developed acute mitral valve regurgitation (B) the patient has developed acute infarction (C) the patient has developed acute mitral wave stenosis (D) the patient has developed acute ventricular septal defect - Correct Answer>>(A) The location of the murmur, at the apex of the heart (midclavicular, 5th ICS), is one clue to this answer. In addition, regurgitation occurs when the valve should be closed and the mitral valve should be closed during systole. Mitral stenosis, choice (C), occurs when the mitral valve is open. Additionally, mitral stenosis cannot be acute, it develops gradually. A patient has just returned from the OR after insertion of a VVI pacemaker. In order to assess function of this pacemaker accurately, the nurse needs to understand that: (A) both atrium and ventricle are paced and sensed and may either inhibit or pace in response to sensing
(B) the ventricle is paced, ventricular activity is sensed and pacing is inhibited in response to ventricular sensing. (C) both the atrium and ventricle are paced, but only ventricular pacing can be inhibited by a sensed intrinsic ventricular impulse. (D) the ventricle is paced in response to a sensed intrinsic atrial impulse or inhibited by a sensed intrinsic ventricular impulse. - Correct Answer>>(B) the first letter indicates chamber paced (ventricle). The second letter indicates chamber sensed (ventricle). The third letter indicates the response to sensing (inhibited in response to sensing). A patient complains of sudden dyspnea 5 days S/P acute MI (ST elevation in II, III, and aVF, with ST depression in I and aVL). The patient is anxious, diaphoretic, and hypotensive. Examination reveals the development of a loud holosystolic murmur at the apex. What is the most likely cause of this patient's deterioration? (A) right ventricular failure related to right ventricular MI (B) ventricular septal defect (C) left ventricular failure due to extension of MI (D) acute mitral regurgitation due to papillary muscle rupture or dysfunction - Correct Answer>>(D) The scenario describes a patient having an acute inferior wall MI, which is generally due to occlusion of the RCA. The RCA occlusion may result in papillary muscle dysfunction or rupture of the mitral valve because it supplies the area of the left ventricle where this valve is attached. Although RV
(C) notify the physician (D) ask the patient to bear down as if having a bowel movement - Correct Answer>>(B) The patient's response to the arrhythmia will determine whether treatment needs to be emergent and what the treatment will be. Vagal maneuvers e.g. bearing down, are not known to be effective for atrial fibrillation. A patient's 12 lead EKG shows sinus bradycardia at 44 beats/min and ST segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Which of the following treatments for bradycardia for this patient would best resolve the problem? (A) temporary transvenous pacing (B) transcutaneous pacing (C) percutaneous coronary intervention (D) administration of atropine - Correct Answer>>(C) PCI would address the cause of the problem, not only treat signs and symptoms. Selection of the other 3 choices presumes the patient had serious signs and symptoms. Do not read into the questions. Which drug would most likely be given to a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? (A) metoprolol (B) digoxin (C) dopamine (D) dobutamine - Correct Answer>>(A) A decrease in heart rate, provided by a beta blocker such as metoprolol, would increase filling
time. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, there is a problem with filling. A decrease in heart rate would increase filling time. Diastolic dysfunction does NOT cause a problem with ejection, and the EF is normal. The other 3 choices may be indicated for systolic dysfunction. A patient is admitted with ST elevation in V2, V3, and V4. Four days after admission, the patient suddenly developed a holosystolic murmur at the lower left sternal border, chest pain, and hypotension. What complication should the nurse expect? (A) papillary muscle rupture (B) ventricular septal defect (C) acute mitral stenosis (D) acute reinfarction - Correct Answer>>The scenario describes an acute anterior STEMI, generally caused by an occlusion of the LAD. This type of MI is most likely to result in a VSD. Additionally, the location of the murmur is important. Mitral valve disease-related problems do NOT cause murmurs to be loudest at the left sternal border, whereas a VSD would result in a murmur at this location. A postoperative patient on the surgical unit suddenly develops chest pain, extreme weakness, and dyspnea and is found to have ST elevation in II, III, and aVF on the stat EKG. B/P is 92/62, heart rate 58, respiratory rate 28, lungs are clear, and heart sound assessment reveals an S4, no murmurs. In addition to preparing the patient for PCI, which of the following interventions would you anticipate? (A) nitroglycerin drip, aspirin
An 80 year old female presents with chief complaint of acute shortness of breath. Clinical exam reveals B/P 182/102, heart rate 105/minute, respiratory rate 32/minute, lungs with crackles bilaterally, pulse oximetry of 88%, S4 on auscultation. EKG revealed sinus tachycardia, left ventricular hypertrophy pattern, chest radiograph showed normal heart size, pulmonary vascular congestion, and echocardiogram showed EF of 55%. Which of the following should be avoided in this patient's treatment plan? (A) calcium channel blocker (B) digoxin (C) low-dose diuretics (D) oxygen - Correct Answer>>(B) The patient presents with signs of heart failure due to diastolic dysfunction (hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, EF > 40%). These patients have a problem with FILLING, not ejecting. Digoxin, a positive inotrope, may increase wall stress and worsen filling of the left ventricle.😳 Mrs. Jones has heart failure. 😩Despite optimal therapy, she gets short of breath when she gets up to walk to the bathroom. Which of the following is the patient experiencing regarding heart failure? (A) NYHA Class I heart failure, may benefit from an ICD (B) NYHA Class II heart failure, may benefit from an ICD (C) NYHA Class III heart failure, may benefit from an ICD (D) heart failure cannot be classified, further information is needed - Correct Answer>>(C) The patient has symptoms with minimal activity, which describes NYHA Class III. This would qualify her for an ICD. When the above patient, Mrs. Jones, has an exacerbation of
her heart failure (Class III), she develops jugular venous distention (JVD), peripheral edema, and abdominal discomfort. These are clinical signs specific to: (A) acute left ventricular failure (B) chronic right ventricular failure (C) acute right ventricular failure (D) chronic dehydration - Correct Answer>>(B) The signs described are those of chronic right-sided heart failure. Acute right ventricular failure may result in JVD but not peripheral edema or abdominal discomfort (which is due to liver engorgement). The nurse managing a post-op CABG patient assesses a sudden drop in B/P, distended neck veins, muffled heart tones, minimal chest tube of output, and a systolic pressure that fluctuates with breathing pattern. The patient most likely needs: (A) emergent return to the OR (B) clamping of the chest tube (C) transfusion of RBC's (D) high-dose dopamine - Correct Answer>>(A) The signs described in the scenario are those of cardiac tamponade. The treatment for cardiac tamponade for the post-op open heart is the return to the OR to drain the pericardial fluid that has accumulated. Development of the problem in other patient population would necessitate an emergent pericardiocentesis to drain the fluid.
in amplitude of the systolic waveform from beat to beat, usually indicative of severe left ventricular failure. Choice (C), pulsus magnus, is a bounding pulse. Choice (D), pulsus bisferiens, is a double pulse and is not covered by the CCRN test. A patient with mitral regurgitation develops atrial fibrillation with a rate of 88, B/P of 118/75. Which of the following may be indicated? (A) beta blockers and vasopressors (B) cardiac glycosides and calcium-channel blockers (C) beta blockers and calcium-channel blockers (D) antiarrhythmics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors - Correct Answer>>(B) The scenario describes development of atrial fibrillation with a controlled ventricular response and stable B/P. Even with a normal B/P, the development of atrial fibrillation drops the cardiac output by 20% to 25% due to a loss in "atrial kick" provided by normal sinus rhythm. A cardiac glycoside (such as digoxin) may be beneficial as it is a weak positive inotrope that may compensate for the loss of atrial kick and calcium-channel blockers will keep the rate controlled. Pressors are not needed in this case. Use of beta blockers and calcium-channel blockers would decrease the rate too much. ACE inhibitors would offer no benefit in this case. Which of the following are predominant signs of left ventricular systolic dysfunction?
(A) pedal edema, ascites, hepatomegaly, weight gain, ejection fraction less than 40% (B) S4, bibasilar crackles, hypertension, ejection fraction greater than 40% (C) S3, frequent new cough, bibasilar crackles, ejection fraction less than 40% (D) hypertension, murmur, chest pain, weight gain, ejection fraction greater than 40% - Correct Answer>>(C) S3 heart sound in an adult is indicative of high left ventricular pressure, cough, and lung crackles are signs of pulmonary edema secondary to elevated left ventricular end diastolic pressure (PAOP). The EF is less than 40% in systolic heart failure. The nurse was preparing a patient with the diagnosis of STEMI for a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The monitor had previously shown normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and the B/P had been 128/78, chest pain improved from a "9" to a "2" on a 0-10 scale. The monitor alarm sounded, and the rhythm below (complete heart block) was observed by the nurse: What statement below is TRUE: (A) this change is most commonly seen with acute inferior MI. Assess the patient. If serious signs and symptoms develop, begin transcutaneous pacing (TCP). (B) this change is most commonly seen with acute anterior MI. Assess the patient. If serious signs and symptoms develop, give atropine. (C) this change is most commonly seen with acute inferior MI.
indicated for acutely chest pain and could be given while preparing to do the EKG, which is needed to help make the diagnosis. The location or type of acute MI is often associated with specific clinical findings. Which of the following statements related to location of MI is TRUE? (A) anterior MI is often associated with heart blocks and bradyarrythmias (B) inferior MI is often associated with right ventricular wall infarction (C) lateral MI is most likely to be associated with posterior MI (D) posterior MI is most likely to lead to the complication of heart failure - Correct Answer>>(B) Because most inferior MI are due to RCA occlusion and the RCA also supplies blood to the right ventricular muscle wall, inferior MI is associated with RV infarct. Which of following statements is accurate regarding heart valves? (A) the aortic valve is closed during systole (B) the mitral valve is closed during systole (C) the mitral valve is closed during diastole (D) the aortic valve is open during diastole - Correct Answer>>(B) During systole (left ventricular ejection) the aortic valve is open, allowing for ejection, and the mitral valve is closed at this time. The mitral valve is open during filling (diastole). The following drugs are all considered positive inotropic drugs primarily affecting the beta-1 reception in the heart, EXCEPT for: (A) dopamine drip at 12 mcg/kg/min dose
(B) dopamine drip at 5 mcg/kg/min dose (C) dobutamine drip at 7 mcg/kg/min dose (D) milrinone at 7 mcg/kg/min dose - Correct Answer>>(A) At high doses (> 10 mcg/kg/min), dopamine stimulates alpha receptors in arteries and causes vasoconstriction. The other 3 drugs/doses affect mainly beta-1 receptors in the heart, producing a positive inotropic effect. Which of the following is associated with mitral regurgitation? (A) Systolic murmur, sinus bradycardia (B) Diastolic murmur, heart failure (C) Systolic murmur, inferior wall myocardial infarction (D) Diastolic murmur, complete heart block - Correct Answer>>(C) Inferior wall MI may result in ischemia and dysfunction (regurgitation) of the mitral valve. The mitral valve is closed during systole (left ventricular ejection). A murmur is produced when the mitral valve is not fully closed during systole. Nitrate therapy is indicated for the treatment of unstable angina and acute heart failure because it: (A) decreases preload and increases myocardial O2 demand (B) increases preload and increases myocardial O2 demand (C) increases preload and decreases myocardial O2 demand (D) decreases preload and decreases myocardial O2 demand - Correct Answer>>(D) Nitrates cause venodilation, which results in a decrease in venous return to the heart (left ventricular preload
(D) Flushed dry skin and tachycardia - Correct Answer>>(A) When the blood glucose drops, sympathetic stimulation occurs, (Symptoms are masked for the patient receiving beta-adrenergic blocker drugs). Flushed, dry skin is a sign of hyperglycemia. Which of the following is TRUE for a patient with a right-sided stroke who develops increased intracranial pressure? (A) pupils will change before level of consciousness, right-sided paralysis, eyes deviated to the left, left pupil change (B) pupils will change before level of consciousness, left-sided paralysis, eyes deviated to the right, right pupil change (C) level of consciousness will change before pupils, right-sided paralysis, eyes deviated to the left, left pupil change. (D) level of consciousness will change before pupils, left-sided paralysis, eyes deviated to the right , right pupil change. - Correct Answer>>(D) Higher brain centers (cerebral cortex) are the first to be affected by increased intracranial pressure. Therefore, level of consciousness is the first sign (one exception, epidural hematoma). Pupil changes are ipsilateral (same side as the injury) due to compression of cranial nerve III against the transtentorial notch. Motor changes are contralateral (opposite the side of injury) due to motor fiber crossing in the brain stem. Which of the following interventions would the nurse consider to be inappropriate for the patient with increased intracranial pressure? (A) maintaining oxygenation and normal PaCO
(B) feeding the patient via an NGT (C) administering 5% dextrose in water (D5W) at 75 ml/hour (D) log roll when turning the patient - Correct Answer>>(C) 5% dextrose in water is a hypotonic solution. When administered, it will cause movement of the D5W into the brain cells, causing swelling and increased intracranial pressure. The other 3 choices are acceptable interventions for the patient with increased ICP. You know that research supports unrestricted access of a designated support person to the patient, but your unit restricts all patient visitors to set times. Your best response would be to: (A) gather the facts and propose a policy change to your manager for the unit (B) tell patients/visitors that the unit's policy is outdated but there is nothing you can do about it (C) continue to follow the unit policy (D) complain to colleagues about the unit's outdated policy. - Correct Answer>>(A) The AACN Synergy Model supports patient advocacy. Unrestricted access of a designated support person is evidencebased practice included in the Patient Visitation AACN Practice Alert. Choice (A) is an effective strategy for change. Your patient has just consented to a bedside chest tube insertion and requests that his wife be allowed to be present during the procedure. You should:
(B) rhabdomyolysis (C) creatinine release (D) cardiac dysthymias - Correct Answer>>(B) The motor vehicle crash most likely resulted in a crash injury with destruction of skeletal muscle cells (rhabdomyolysis). This results in the release of massive amounts of creatinine kinase (CK) that, in turn, may CLOG renal tubules and lead to acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Choice (A) is not correct as there is no history of bleeding. Choice (C), creatinine release, is too vague, could be minor, and does not cause ATN. Arrhythmias, choice (D), are not included in the scenario. A 59 year old male is admitted complaining of chest pain and dyspnea. ST elevation and T wave inversion were seen on the EKG in V2,V3 and V4. IV thrombolytic therapy was started in ED. Indications of successful reperfusion would include all of the following except: (A) pain cessation (B) decrease in CK or troponin (C) reversal of ST segment elevation with return to baseline (D) short runs of ventricular tachycardia - Correct Answer>>(B)Coronary artery reperfusion due to PCI or fibrinolysis results in an ELEVATION of creatinine kinase (CK) or troponin, not decrease. The theory is that the return of blood flow distal to the occlusion can result in 'reperfusion injury' of the muscle, elevating cardiac biomarkers. The other 3 choices are indicators of reperfusion: Pain cessation, reversal of ST segment elevation with return to baseline, short runs of ventricular tachycardia.
Which of the following medication orders should the nurse question for the patient in question 1-reperfusion question-patient having an MI? (A) metoprolol (Lopressor) (B) aspirin (C) propranolol (Inderal) (D) heparin - Correct Answer>>(C) The patient in the scenario is having an acute anterior wall MI. A beta blocker is beneficial for an acute MI as these agents decrease the work of the heart and increase the threshold for ventricular fibrillation. Propranolol, although a betaandrenergic blocker like metoprolol, is NOT a cardioselective beta blocker. It affects beta receptors in heart muscle AND lung tissue. Therefore, it is more likely to cause bronchoconstriction than a cardioselective beta blocker. The other 3- cardioselective beta blocker, antiplatelet, and anticoagulation-are indicated in an acute MI. If heart block develops while caring for the patient in question 1 (pt with an MI who went through reperfusion from PCI or fibrinolytic therapy), which of the following would it most likely be? (A) sinoatrial block (B) second degree, Type I (C) second degree, Type II (D) third degree, complete - Correct Answer>>(C) The patient is having an acute anterior MI, which is generally due to LAD occlusion. The
