PCCN Sample Exam Questions

The PCCN examination incorporates Professional Caring and Ethical Practice, based on the AACN Synergy Model of Patient Care. This section makes up 20% of the examination. The remaining 80% of the exam covers Clinical Judgment. For more information, please read about the Synergy Model.

1. A 45-year-old patient who is 1 week post MI suddenly becomes agitated, restless, and diaphoretic. Systolic pressure drops while diastolic pressure rises, resulting in a pulse pressure of 20 mm Hg. Assessment also reveals faint radial and apical pulses that weaken significantly on inspiration. This patient is most likely experiencing
   • mitral valve rupture
   • pulmonary embolus
   • pulmonary edema
   • cardiac tamponade
2. Which of the following may predispose an individual to ventricular fibrillation?
   • hypernatremia and hypomagnesemia
   • hypophosphatemia and hyperchloremia
   • hypermagnesemia and hyponatremia
   • hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia
3. Chest auscultation of a patient in status asthmaticus commonly reveals
   • expiratory wheezes
   • inspiratory crackles (rales)
   • coarse rhonchi
   • a pleural friction rub
4. The family of a critically ill patient wishes to spend the night, which is contrary to visiting policy. The nurse's best action would be to
   • adhere to the visiting policy
   • allow the family to stay in the room
   • obtain a motel room near the hospital where the family may spend the night
   • allow one or two family members to stay, then evaluate the patient's response
5. Members of the nursing staff are developing written patient education materials for a group of patients with diverse reading abilities. It would be most effective for the staff to
   • design individual handouts for each patient
   • develop a computer-based education series
   • write the materials at a fourth-grade reading level
   • limit text and provide color pictures

ANSWERS

PCCN SAMPLE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

1. A 45-year-old patient who is 1 week post MI suddenly becomes agitated, restless, and diaphoretic. Systolic pressure drops while diastolic pressure rises, resulting in a pulse pressure of 20 mm Hg. Assessment also reveals faint radial and apical pulses that weaken significantly on inspiration. This patient is most likely experiencing
   • mitral valve rupture
   • pulmonary embolus
   • pulmonary edema
   • CORRECT - cardiac tamponade
2. Which of the following may predispose an individual to ventricular fibrillation?
   • hypernatremia and hypomagnesemia
   • hypophosphatemia and hyperchloremia
   • hypermagnesemia and hyponatremia
   • CORRECT - hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia
3. Chest auscultation of a patient in status asthmaticus commonly reveals
   • CORRECT - expiratory wheezes
   • inspiratory crackles (rales)
   • coarse rhonchi
   • a pleural friction rub
4. The family of a critically ill patient wishes to spend the night, which is contrary to visiting policy. The nurse's best action would be to
   • adhere to the visiting policy
   • allow the family to stay in the room
   • obtain a motel room near the hospital where the family may spend the night
   • CORRECT - allow one or two family members to stay, then evaluate the patient's response
5. Members of the nursing staff are developing written patient education materials for a group of patients with diverse reading abilities. It would be most effective for the staff to
   • design individual handouts for each patient
   • develop a computer-based education series
   • CORRECT - write the materials at a fourth-grade reading level
   • limit text and provide color pictures