AACN CCRN-Adult Exam Practice Test Instant Access

Question 1

In order to meet the spiritual needs of critically ill patients and their families, which of the following should the nurse understand regarding chaplain services?

AThe chaplain may be of a specific denomination, but the chaplain provides resources to patients of many faiths and beliefs.

BThe service should be provided only when specifically requested by the patient or family.

CA chaplain's visit will not benefit a patient who is comatose or non-communicative.

DIt would be inappropriate for the hospital chaplain to document in the medical record.

Answer : A

Chaplain services in hospitals are designed to address the spiritual needs of patients and their families, regardless of their specific faith or belief system. While a chaplain may belong to a particular denomination, they are trained to provide support and resources to people of various faiths and spiritual beliefs. This approach helps ensure that all patients receive appropriate spiritual care, which can be a crucial part of holistic care in critical situations. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook, AACN Adult CCRN Certification Review Course

Question 2

A patient with unilateral facial droop and slurred speech has a history of hyperlipidemia and hypertension. The nurse should anticipate an order for a

Ahead MRI.

Btriglyceride panel.

Chead and neck CT scan.

Dcoagulation panel.

Answer : C

Given the symptoms of unilateral facial droop and slurred speech, a stroke is highly suspected. A head and neck CT scan is the most appropriate initial imaging to quickly evaluate for the presence of an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, which is critical for determining the appropriate treatment plan. An MRI may provide more detailed information later but is not the initial test of choice in the acute setting. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook, AACN Adult CCRN Certification Review Course

Question 3

A patient with acute renal failure has a serum potassium level of 7.2 mEq/L. The most appropriate immediate intervention for this patient is

A3% NS infusion.

BKayexalate in sorbitol.

Chemodialysis.

D50% dextrose and insulin.

Answer : D

A serum potassium level of 7.2 mEq/L is critically high and can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The most immediate intervention is the administration of 50% dextrose followed by insulin, which helps drive potassium back into the cells, thereby rapidly lowering the serum potassium level. Hemodialysis and Kayexalate are also effective but may not act as quickly as the dextrose-insulin combination. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook, AACN Adult CCRN Certification Review Course

Question 4

A family member asks permission to visit a patient after work at 12:30 AM. On previous visits, the family member has been disruptive. To address the situation, a nurse should

Aask the family member to visit during scheduled visiting hours.

Bask the family member to visit before work.

Cnot allow the visit, as the patient will be sleeping.

Dallow the family member to visit after setting behavioral limits.

Answer : D

While it is important to support family involvement, previous disruptive behavior necessitates setting clear behavioral limits to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment for the patient. Allowing the visit with established guidelines helps balance the need for patient support with maintaining unit order. This approach also respects the patient's rest and recovery needs. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook, AACN Adult CCRN Certification Review Course

Question 5

A patient who underwent bowel resection surgery due to small bowel rupture is tachycardic and hypotensive. A nurse calls the on-call surgical resident and reports the findings. No new orders are received. The nurse should continue to monitor the patient and

Anotify the charge nurse during nightly rounds.

Binform the clinical manager in the morning.

Cinitiate the rapid response team.

Dconsult the nearest nursing colleague.

Answer : C

The patient's tachycardia and hypotension following bowel resection surgery indicate potential severe complications such as hemorrhage or septic shock, which require immediate intervention. If the on-call surgical resident does not provide new orders, the nurse must act promptly to prevent further deterioration by initiating the rapid response team (RRT). The RRT can provide critical interventions and facilitate timely transfer to a higher level of care if needed. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook, AACN Adult CCRN Certification Review Course

Question 6

In a patient with hypertensive crisis, neurologic changes are caused by

Aexcessive secretion of catecholamines.

Bvasospasm of the cerebral arterioles.

Chypoxemia as a result of pulmonary interstitial edema.

Dincreased ICP as a result of loss of cerebral autoregulation.

Answer : D

In hypertensive crisis, neurologic changes are often caused by increased intracranial pressure (ICP) as a result of loss of cerebral autoregulation. Autoregulation normally maintains consistent cerebral blood flow despite changes in systemic blood pressure. In hypertensive crisis, the extremely high blood pressure overwhelms these mechanisms, leading to increased cerebral blood flow, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and cerebral edema, which subsequently increases ICP and causes neurologic changes. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook, page 48

Question 7

The most appropriate therapy for carboxyhemoglobinemia is

A100% O2 administration.

Binhaled corticosteroids.

Chyperventilation.

Daerosolized beta-agonists.

Answer : A

The most appropriate therapy for carboxyhemoglobinemia, which is carbon monoxide poisoning, is the administration of 100% oxygen. This treatment helps to displace carbon monoxide from hemoglobin, allowing oxygen to bind to hemoglobin and be transported to tissues more effectively. High-flow oxygen can significantly reduce the half-life of carboxyhemoglobin, facilitating faster recovery. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook, page 30

AACN CCRN-Adult CCRN (Adult) – Direct Care Eligibility Pathway Exam Practice Test