Practice Test Geeks(BCEN) Board of Certification of Emergency Nursing Practice Test
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Patient Assessment and Diagnosis Flashcards

7 cards from real BCEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Patient Assessment and Diagnosis flashcards as text

  1. A patient presents with unilateral absence of breath sounds after a central line placement. The nurse should first assess for:

    Answer: Pneumothorax

    Absent unilateral breath sounds following central line insertion is a classic presentation of iatrogenic pneumothorax.

  2. Which assessment finding differentiates neurogenic shock from hypovolemic shock?

    Answer: Hypotension with bradycardia and warm skin

    Neurogenic shock presents with hypotension and bradycardia (loss of sympathetic tone) with warm, dry skin, unlike the cold, clammy presentation of hypovolemic shock.

  3. A 3-year-old presents with drooling, muffled voice, high fever, and refusal to move the neck. The nurse should FIRST:

    Answer: Prepare for immediate airway management and notify the physician

    These signs suggest epiglottitis — a life-threatening airway emergency; the airway must be secured immediately without agitating the child.

  4. Which pain assessment tool is MOST appropriate for a non-verbal adult patient with cognitive impairment?

    Answer: PAINAD (Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia)

    PAINAD assesses breathing, vocalization, facial expression, body language, and consolability in non-verbal dementia patients.

  5. A patient presents with unequal pupils after a head injury. The left pupil is 7 mm and non-reactive. This finding suggests:

    Answer: Uncal herniation compressing CN III on the left

    A fixed, dilated pupil after head trauma indicates uncal herniation compressing the ipsilateral oculomotor nerve (CN III).

  6. When using the OPQRST mnemonic, 'T' stands for:

    Answer: Timing/time course

    In OPQRST, 'T' stands for Timing — when the symptom started, whether it is constant or intermittent, and what makes it better or worse over time.

  7. A patient on warfarin presents with a headache and vomiting after a fall. CT scan shows a hyperdense crescent-shaped lesion crossing suture lines. This is MOST consistent with:

    Answer: Subdural hematoma

    A crescent-shaped hyperdensity that crosses suture lines on CT is characteristic of an acute subdural hematoma from bridging vein rupture.

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