BCEN Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield BCEN facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which study approach is most effective for Toxicology material? → Active recall with practice questions
2. A patient with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning has a pulse oximetry reading of 99%. The nurse should recognize this as: → Falsely elevated because SpO2 cannot distinguish oxyhemoglobin from carboxyhemoglobin
3. A patient with a foreign body airway obstruction is unconscious after failed back blows. What is the next step? → Perform abdominal thrusts in supine position and visualize airway
4. When should you change an answer on a test? → Only when you have a clear reason the new answer is better
5. Which stroke syndrome presents with ipsilateral facial weakness and contralateral body weakness? → Middle cerebral artery stroke
6. What is the most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections? → Proper hand hygiene
7. A patient seizing for more than 5 minutes is considered to have status epilepticus. What is the first-line IV treatment? → Lorazepam
8. A nurse receives an order that they believe is inappropriate for the patient. What is the FIRST action? → Clarify the order with the prescribing provider directly
9. A patient is admitted with a serum potassium of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked T waves on ECG. Which intervention should be performed FIRST? → Administer calcium gluconate IV
10. Which study approach is most effective for Disaster Preparedness material? → Active recall with practice questions
11. What are standard precautions in healthcare? → Treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious
12. A patient with ischemic stroke arrives within 2 hours of symptom onset. What is the first-line pharmacological intervention if eligible? → IV alteplase (tPA)
13. A patient presents with sudden pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, and absent breath sounds on the left. What is the most likely diagnosis? → Pneumothorax
14. A patient presents with unequal pupils after a head injury. The left pupil is 7 mm and non-reactive. This finding suggests: → Uncal herniation compressing CN III on the left
15. Which assessment finding differentiates neurogenic shock from hypovolemic shock? → Hypotension with bradycardia and warm skin
16. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action when assessing a patient who is unresponsive and not breathing? → Open the airway and check for breathing
17. A burn patient has circumferential full-thickness burns to both lower extremities with absent distal pulses. The priority intervention is: → Perform escharotomy
18. Raccoon eyes (periorbital ecchymosis) bilaterally in a trauma patient suggest what injury? → Anterior basilar skull fracture
19. Which diagnostic test is the gold standard for confirming pulmonary embolism? → CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA)
20. Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of adenosine when used to treat SVT? → Temporarily blocks AV nodal conduction to interrupt reentry circuits
21. What is the process of elimination in multiple-choice testing? → Ruling out obviously incorrect answers to improve odds
22. What is the most effective study technique according to research? → Active recall with spaced repetition
23. Which pain assessment tool is MOST appropriate for a non-verbal adult patient with cognitive impairment? → PAINAD (Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia)
24. Why is continuing education important in Disaster Preparedness? → To stay current with evolving standards and practices
25. A patient's family member demands to see the patient's chart without the patient's consent. The patient is alert and oriented. What should the nurse do? → Deny access and explain HIPAA protections to the family member
26. Battle's sign (bruising over the mastoid process) is associated with which type of injury? → Basilar skull fracture
27. A patient post-seizure is confused and lethargic. What is this period called? → Postictal state
28. What is the primary purpose of professional certification in Cardiac Emergencies? → To validate competency and knowledge in the field
29. A patient with a known history of asthma presents with severe wheezing, accessory muscle use, and SpO2 of 88%. What is the priority intervention? → Nebulized albuterol and supplemental oxygen
30. Why is continuing education important in Pediatric Emergencies? → To stay current with evolving standards and practices