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
A. mitral valve rupture.
B. pulmonary embolus.
C. pulmonary edema.
D. cardiac tamponade.
2. Which of the following may predispose an individual to
ventricular fibrillation?
A. hypernatremia and hypomagnesemia
B. hypophosphatemia and hyperchloremia
C. hypermagnesemia and hyponatremia
D. hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia
3. Chest auscultation of a patient in status asthmaticus commonly
reveals
A. expiratory wheezes.
B. inspiratory crackles (rales).
C. coarse rhonchi.
D. 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
A. adhere to the visiting policy.
B. allow the family to stay in the room.
C. obtain a motel room near the hospital where the family
may spend the night.
D. 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
A. design individual handouts for each patient.
B. develop a computer-based education series.
C. write the materials at a fourth-grade reading level.
D. limit text and provide color pictures.
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
A. mitral valve rupture.
B. pulmonary embolus.
C. pulmonary edema.
D. CORRECT - cardiac tamponade.
2. Which of the following may predispose an individual to
ventricular fibrillation?
A. hypernatremia and hypomagnesemia
B. hypophosphatemia and hyperchloremia
C. hypermagnesemia and hyponatremia
D. CORRECT - hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia
3. Chest auscultation of a patient in status asthmaticus commonly
reveals
A. CORRECT - expiratory wheezes.
B. inspiratory crackles (rales).
C. coarse rhonchi.
D. 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
A. adhere to the visiting policy.
B. allow the family to stay in the room.
C. obtain a motel room near the hospital where the family
may spend the night.
D. 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
A. design individual handouts for each patient.
B. develop a computer-based education series.
C. CORRECT - write the materials at
a fourth-grade reading level.
D. limit text and provide color pictures.