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AACN CCRN-Adult Exam Questions
- Topic 1: CLINICAL JUDGMENT: This section measures the skills of Critical Care Nurses and covers a wide range of medical conditions across various systems. It includes cardiovascular issues such as acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and cardiomyopathies, demonstrating the need for in-depth knowledge in managing these critical conditions. The section also addresses respiratory emergencies like pulmonary embolism and ARDS, emphasizing the importance of understanding respiratory failure and chronic conditions. The endocrine, hematology, gastrointestinal, renal, and integumentary domains are also covered, focusing on conditions like diabetes mellitus, acute kidney injury, and infections. This section highlights the need for nurses to manage complex patient scenarios involving multiple systems effectively. In musculoskeletal, neurological, and psychosocial areas, the syllabus includes managing trauma, neurological disorders, and behavioral health issues. This emphasizes the holistic approach required in critical care settings. Lastly, multisystem complications such as sepsis and shock states are included to assess the ability to manage life-threatening conditions that affect multiple organ systems.
- Topic 2: PROFESSIONAL CARING & ETHICAL PRACTICE: This section assesses the skills of Clinical Nurse Leaders in professional caring and ethical practice. It covers advocacy and moral agency, highlighting the importance of representing patients' interests in healthcare decisions. The section also addresses caring practices that promote patient-centered care and response to diversity, ensuring that care is tailored to individual needs. Facilitation of learning is emphasized, indicating the role of nurses in educating patients and families about health management. Collaboration is another key component, focusing on teamwork within healthcare settings to improve patient outcomes. Systems thinking is included to encourage understanding of how different components of healthcare interact. Finally, clinical inquiry is highlighted as a means to foster evidence-based practice and continuous improvement in patient care.
Free AACN CCRN-Adult Exam Actual Questions
Note: Premium Questions for CCRN-Adult were last updated On Mar. 03, 2025 (see below)
A patient is intubated, is unable to follow simple commands, and has no history of alcohol abuse. The patient has become increasingly disoriented and confused over the past 24 hours. After assessment and treatment of pain, the best medication intervention for management is
Dexmedetomidine (Precedex) is the most appropriate medication for managing agitation and delirium in a critically ill intubated patient. It provides sedation without significant respiratory depression and has analgesic properties, which makes it suitable for patients who are disoriented and confused. Unlike benzodiazepines (lorazepam and midazolam) or neuromuscular blockers (cisatracurium), dexmedetomidine can improve delirium outcomes and facilitates easier weaning from mechanical ventilation. Reference: = AACN Certification and Core Review for High Acuity and Critical Care, 7th Edition, AACN Handbook for CCRN Certification, pp. 57-60.
A patient with an acute anterior wall MI presents with an S3 gallop and the following values:
Which drug therapy would be most appropriate for this patient?
In the setting of an acute anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI) with an S3 gallop, the patient is likely experiencing heart failure and possibly acute pulmonary edema. The appropriate treatment includes vasodilators to reduce afterload and diuretics to decrease preload and pulmonary congestion. This combination helps to improve cardiac output and reduce the workload on the heart. Reference: CCRN Exam Handbook, AACN, page 20, section on Cardiovascular.
A patient is experiencing lower left quadrant pain with guarding, as well as abdominal distention and rigidity. KUB reveals free air in the abdominal
cavity. Vital signs are:
BP 76/40
HR 130
RR 32
T 101.7 F (38.7C)
A nurse would suspect
The clinical presentation of lower left quadrant pain with guarding, abdominal distention, rigidity, and free air in the abdominal cavity on a KUB (kidney, ureter, and bladder) radiograph strongly suggests a perforated bowel. The presence of free air indicates that there is a breach in the gastrointestinal tract, allowing air to escape into the peritoneal cavity. The patient's vital signs, including hypotension (BP 76/40), tachycardia (HR 130), tachypnea (RR 32), and fever (T 101.7F), are consistent with sepsis and shock, which are common complications of bowel perforation. Reference: CCRN Exam Handbook, AACN, page 30, section on Gastrointestinal.
Which of the following diagnostic procedures best pinpoints the location, size, and origin of a cerebral aneurysm?
Cerebral angiography is considered the gold standard for diagnosing and pinpointing the location, size, and origin of cerebral aneurysms. It involves the use of contrast material injected into the cerebral arteries and imaging to provide detailed visualization of the blood vessels in the brain, which is essential for accurate diagnosis and planning treatment strategies. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook and AACN's Certification Review Course materials.
A patient was admitted 3 days ago for an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol). The patient is developing a decreasing level of consciousness. Which the following is the most likely finding?
A patient with acetaminophen overdose is at risk for acute liver failure, which can lead to coagulopathy. This condition is often marked by an increased International Normalized Ratio (INR) due to impaired synthesis of clotting factors in the liver. Decreasing level of consciousness can also result from hepatic encephalopathy, a complication of liver failure. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook and AACN's Certification Review Course materials.
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