pg. 1 2025 CEN EXAM Latest Practice Test Bank with 250 Most Common Questions with Correct Answers/ Certified Emergency Nurse – CEN Exam Prep 2025-2026 Newest Guide
A 16-year-old boy is brought to the ED by his parents. They state that he awoke from sleep with nausea, vomiting, and pain in his scrotum. The nurse notes that the boy's scrotum is swollen and he has a low-grade fever. His urinalysis is normal.The physician suspects a testicular torsion. The definitive treatment for this boy is:
- Antibiotics
- Bed rest for several days
- Anti-emetic and pain medication
- Surgery - ANSWER-d. Surgery
The nurse should recognize that these signs and symptoms in a teenage boy may be indicative of testicular torsion. Although all of the treatments may be used, surgery is the definitive treatment for this condition.
You are caring for a patient in cardiogenic shock. You know that a probable cause
of this condition is:
- Dehydration
- Spinal cord injury
- Congestive heart failure
- Infection - ANSWER-c. Congestive heart failure
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pg. 2 Congestive heart failure is a common cause of cardiogenic shock. Acute myocardial infarction and other heart conditions can also cause cardiogenic shock.Dehydration can be a cause of hypovolemic shock. Spinal cord injury can cause neurogenic shock. Infection can cause septic shock.
You are caring for a 10-year-old child with normal blood pressure, increased heart rate, and cool pale skin. The child is reported to have had vomitting and diarrhea the past two days. As you perform your primary assessment, you note that respirations are clear and not labored. What is the probable first intervention for this child?
- Give 20 ml/kg bolus of saline or lactated Ringer's
- Start an Epinephrine infusion at 0.1mg/kg
- Give Epinephrine bolus of 0.01 mg/kg
- Give Amiodarone 5 mg/kg IV over 60 minutes - ANSWER-a. Give 20 ml/kg
bolus of saline or lactated Ringer's
By all indications, the child is in hypovolemic shock and the first interventions should be a fluid bolus at 20 ml/kg of saline or lactated Ringer's solution.
You assume care for the patient in the ED. During the time she has been in the ED, she has consistently complained of photophobia, a stiff neck, increasing confusion, and nausea. Her history shows a motor vehicle accident several days ago. She states the pain is the worst headache she has ever had. You suspect she might have
a:
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Migraine headache
- Whiplash injury
- Sinus headache - ANSWER-a. Subarachnoid hemorrhage 2 / 4
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Given the history of the recent MVA and these classic symptoms, the prudent nurse should have a high degree of suspicion of a subarachnoid hemorrhage.Assessment will show neurologic deficits and decreased eye movements. The nurse should prepare the patient for a CT scan of the brain.
To quickly evaluate a child's neurological status, all of the following standard
evaluations can be used EXCEPT:
- The Epworth Scale.
- The AVPU scale.
- The Glasgow Coma Scale.
- Pupillary responses to light. - ANSWER-a. The Epworth Scale.
The Epworth Scale is a measure of sleepiness and is not part of the standard evaluation of a child's neurological exam. The AVPU and Glasgow Coma scales can be used to evaluate a child's neuro status. Pupillary size and response should also be checked.
According to the American Heart Association stroke recommendations, the critical
goal time from arrival to the Emergency Department to CT brain scan is:
- 10 minutes
- 25 minutes
- 45 minutes
- 60 minutes - ANSWER-b. 25 minutes
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pg. 4 The goal for CT brain scan is 25 minutes after arrival to the Emergency Department. The assessment should occur within 10 minutes of arrival, diagnosis of ischemic stroke should be made within 45 minutes, and the administration of fibrinolytics should occur with 60 minutes.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stokes (NINDS) has set the goal for immediate general assessment by a stroke team or emergency physician
as:
- Within 1 minute of arrival.
- Within 10 minutes of arrival.
- Within 30 minutes of arrival.
- Within 60 minutes of arrival. - ANSWER-b. Within 10 minutes of arrival.
The goal for general assessment by an ED or stroke team physician is within 10 minutes of arrival to the ED. Within the same 10 minutes, an urgent CT without contrast should also be ordered.
A 24-year-old woman is seen in the emergency department complaining of urinary frequency, pain with urination and urgency. Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. When you obtain a urine specimen, you note that it is cloudy and
foul smelling. You should prepare the patient for:
- Admission for acute renal failure
- Discharge with antibiotic therapy
- Admission for lithotripsy
- Discharge without medications - ANSWER-b. Discharge with antibiotic therapy
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