CEN Practice Questions: Test Your Knowledge
Challenge yourself with realistic CEN exam practice questions covering all major content domains with detailed rationales and explanations.
Start Free Practice QuizHow to Use These Practice Questions
1. Simulate Exam Conditions
- • Time yourself: 1.2 minutes per question
- • Work in a quiet environment
- • Don't look at answers until complete
2. Analyze Your Performance
- • Track domains you struggle with
- • Review all rationales
- • Identify knowledge gaps
3. Focus Your Study
- • Spend extra time on weak domains
- • Understand clinical reasoning
- • Seek additional resources
Sample Practice Questions
A 58-year-old male presents to the ED with crushing chest pain radiating to his left arm. His 12-lead ECG shows ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
Correct Answer: B
ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicates an inferior wall STEMI. The most appropriate initial intervention is to prepare for emergent cardiac catheterization for primary PCI, which is the gold standard treatment for STEMI when available within 90 minutes. While nitroglycerin may be given, reperfusion therapy takes priority.
A patient arrives with severe respiratory distress, using accessory muscles, and has diminished breath sounds on the right side with tracheal deviation to the left. What is the priority intervention?
Correct Answer: C
The clinical presentation (severe respiratory distress, diminished breath sounds on one side, and tracheal deviation away from the affected side) indicates tension pneumothorax. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate needle decompression at the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line on the affected side.
A 45-year-old female presents with sudden onset of severe headache, describing it as 'the worst headache of my life.' She is alert but photophobic. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
The sudden onset of severe headache described as 'the worst headache of my life' with photophobia is classic for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This presentation requires immediate CT scan and potentially lumbar puncture if CT is negative. SAH is a neurosurgical emergency.
A 35-year-old male presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to his back, nausea, and vomiting. His serum lipase is elevated at 450 U/L (normal <60). What is the most appropriate initial management?
Correct Answer: A
The presentation and elevated lipase indicate acute pancreatitis. Initial management includes NPO status to rest the pancreas and aggressive IV fluid resuscitation to prevent complications like shock and acute kidney injury. Pain control with IV medications is also important.
A 28-year-old female presents with lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and a positive pregnancy test. Her vital signs show BP 90/60, HR 110. What is the priority concern?
Correct Answer: B
The combination of positive pregnancy test, abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and hemodynamic instability (hypotension, tachycardia) suggests ectopic pregnancy with possible rupture. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate evaluation, IV access, type and crossmatch, and urgent gynecological consultation.
A 22-year-old male is brought to the ED by police after threatening to harm himself. He appears agitated and states he hears voices telling him to hurt others. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: B
When a patient presents with both suicidal and homicidal ideation along with psychosis, the priority is ensuring safety for the patient, staff, and other patients. This includes removing potential weapons, maintaining visual supervision, and implementing safety precautions before addressing other interventions.
Study Tips for Practice Questions
Before Answering
- • Read the entire question carefully
- • Identify key information (age, symptoms, vitals)
- • Determine what the question is asking
- • Don't rush through the scenario
While Answering
- • Use the nursing process
- • Consider ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
- • Think critically about priorities
- • What would you do first in this emergency?
After Answering
- • Review all rationales
- • Understand the pathophysiology
- • Learn from mistakes
- • Use incorrect answers as learning opportunities
Common Question Types
Priority/First Action Questions
Examples: "What is the priority intervention?" or "What should the nurse do first?"
Focus on life-threatening conditions and ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priorities.
Assessment Questions
Examples: "What finding would the nurse expect?" or "Which assessment is most important?"
Require knowledge of pathophysiology and clinical presentation.
Intervention Questions
Examples: "What is the most appropriate treatment?" or "Which medication should be administered?"
Test knowledge of evidence-based emergency interventions.
Evaluation Questions
Examples: "Which finding indicates improvement?" or "What suggests the treatment is effective?"
Assess understanding of expected outcomes and treatment effectiveness.
Ready for More Practice?
These sample questions represent just a fraction of what you'll need for comprehensive CEN exam preparation. Use them to identify your strengths and weaknesses, then develop a targeted study plan.