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Certified Emergency Nurse MCQ Flashcards

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

Read the first 7 Certified Emergency Nurse MCQ flashcards as text

  1. Which toxidrome is characterized by miosis, bradycardia, bronchospasm, excessive secretions, and diaphoresis?

    Answer: Cholinergic (organophosphate)

    The SLUDGE/DUMBELS mnemonic describes cholinergic toxidrome caused by organophosphate poisoning, which overstimulates muscarinic receptors.

  2. What is the antidote for acetaminophen toxicity, and within what timeframe is it most effective?

    Answer: N-acetylcysteine (NAC), within 8–10 hours of ingestion

    NAC is most effective when given within 8 hours of acetaminophen ingestion but can still provide benefit if given later; it replenishes glutathione to prevent hepatotoxicity.

  3. A patient presents with altered mental status, fever, muscle rigidity, and clonus after starting a new antidepressant. What condition should be suspected?

    Answer: Serotonin syndrome

    Serotonin syndrome presents with the triad of mental status changes, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular abnormalities (especially clonus) following serotonergic medication use.

  4. A patient on warfarin presents with an INR of 9.5 and active GI bleeding. What is the most appropriate reversal agent?

    Answer: 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) plus Vitamin K IV

    4F-PCC provides rapid reversal of warfarin-induced coagulopathy in life-threatening bleeding, and Vitamin K ensures sustained reversal; this combination is preferred over FFP alone.

  5. Which sign is most specific for cardiac tamponade on physical examination?

    Answer: Beck's triad: hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and JVD

    Beck's triad (hypotension, muffled heart sounds, JVD) is the classic physical examination finding of cardiac tamponade, though it is not always present.

  6. A 5-year-old ingests an unknown pill from a grandparent's medication bottle. The child is bradycardic with a BP of 70/40, and ECG shows widened QRS. What drug class is most likely?

    Answer: Calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers

    Cardiovascular drug ingestions, particularly calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers, commonly cause bradycardia, hypotension, and conduction abnormalities in pediatric patients.

  7. Which Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score indicates severe traumatic brain injury requiring airway management consideration?

    Answer: GCS 8 or below

    A GCS score of 8 or below indicates severe TBI, and the inability to protect the airway is the standard threshold for endotracheal intubation.