CEN Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

Question 1

The older patient that you have been assigned to is having difficulty distinguishing between hot and cold temperatures. Alteration of what gland activity would lead to this problem?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

【3】Sweat. Alterations in the sweat gland would lead to the patient having trouble distinguishing between hot and cold temperatures. The skin is important in protection, sensory reception homeostasis and temperature regulation. The parotid glands are important in the drainage of saliva. Melatonin biosynthesis occurs in the pineal gland, and immunological roles throughout the body are affected by the thymus gland.

Question 2

A patient presents to the ED with fatigue that he says has been getting worse for the last two weeks. On the cardiac monitor, the patient is noted to be in atrial fibrillation, with a ventricular rate of 140. Blood pressure is 146/86. The patient does not have any cardiac or medical history.

What medication does the nurse expect to give in the ED in this scenario?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

【1】Diltiazem. This patient needs rate control, so diltiazem is indicated, and the patient’s blood pressure will be able to support it. The patient has been complaining of these symptoms for longer than 7 days and the patient has not been monitored so ibutilide for cardioversion is not indicated, especially since overall the patient is hemodynamically stable. This patient will need to see a cardiologist for decisions regarding warfarin, cardioversion, or other repairs. Digoxin is only indicated in patients with heart failure.

Question 3

Steve was cleaning his bathroom. The cleaning solution he was using splashed into his right eye and caused a chemical burn.

What is the first thing Steve should do in this situation?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

【0】Wash his eye with running water for about 15 minutes. Chemical burns to the eyes should first be treated by flushing the eyes with running water for about 15 minutes. During this time, 911 should be called or the person should be immediately taken to the ER after they have flushed their eyes.

Question 4

When preparing to repair an eyelid laceration, what must be avoided?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

【1】Shaving of the eyebrows for better visualization of the wound.. When performing eyelid laceration care, remember the laceration needs to be repaired before excessive swelling begins. You must never shave the eyebrows as they are used for landmarks and may not provide adequate closure. Avoid using Lido with Epi in the eyelids, ears, nose as Epinephrine decreases the circulation and may lead to ischemia.

Question 5

Which of the following conditions usually leads to immediate death?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

【2】Myocardial rupture. The most common cause of a myocardial rupture is with trauma from a vehicle accident. This can cause a perforation of the ventricles, articles or septum and is almost always causes immediate death.

Question 6

A 34 year old female patient in hemorrhagic shock is admitted after suffering injuries from a motor vehicle accident. You have already administered 6 units of packed red blood cells to this patient with no change in her condition.

Which of the following should you anticipate the physician ordering next for her?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

【3】Fresh frozen plasma. Although the packed red blood cells will help to increase the hemoglobin and hematocrit, at this time fresh frozen plasma would be needed. The fresh frozen plasma is appropriate because of the fact that it has the clotting factors in addition to the fibrinogen needed by this patient to help prevent further bleeding. IV fluids at a rapid rate would more than likely be given but typically not D5W. Platelets are often used to help control bleeding but not this type of injury, they are most often used for conditions due to thrombocytopenia.

Question 7

You have a 45 year old male that is admitted with nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. The physician orders a work-up for gastric problems.

Which of the following list of interventions would more than likely be ordered for this patient?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

【0】Administration of IV fluids, labs, and medications such as antibiotics and antiparasitics.. With the nausea and vomiting the patient can become dehydrated. IV fluids will more than likely be ordered. Labs such as basic metabolic panel and complete blood count should be ordered, along with the administrations of the medications. Patient education is also important for this patient. The patient needs to realize the important of the correct diet to help with the problem. Recovery from this condition is a gradual one.

Question 8

A 33-year-old female presents to the ED with anxiety, tremors, flushing, tachycardia, abdominal pain, tachypnea, and diaphoresis. During her triage and exam, she informs you she has lost 10 pounds over the last week and has not been exercising. She reports difficulty sleeping at night. As the ED nurse you suspect the patient is having which of the following?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

【0】Elevated Thyroid levels. The patient is presenting with classic signs of hyperthyroid levels. The key is the weight loss, however all of her symptoms are consistent with everything speeding up - meaning she has increased thyroid levels and requires treatment to inhibit thyroid synthesis, specific agents include Tapazole, Thiamazole, P6-n-Propylthiourical or Iodine. Educate the patient that until her levels are normal she should increase her fluid and caloric intake.

Question 9

A 26-year-old female is brought into the ED by EMS for “weakness”. While assessing the patient you observe a callous on her left index finger of the proximal phalanx and eroding tooth enamel. The patient is awake and talking with staff and denies any suicidal or homicidal ideation.

What should be suspected?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

【3】Bulimia. Eating disorders are 95% more common in females. They are seen with tendencies of perfectionism, academic success, prefer isolation, asexual behavior and are triggered by personal crisis. However, the key to bulimia are patients with callouses on the fingers, from when they gag themselves and their teeth bite down on their finer, erosion of tooth enamel and fractured ribs. These patients are at risk for developing Mallory-Weiss tears, pancreatitis, metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia.

Question 10

Sarah, 32, is accompanied by friends into the ED. Friends state she is recently divorced, has just lost her job, and found out she is pregnant. She is silent but is pacing in the triage room, unable to sit long enough to have a full set of vital signs taken. The nurse's initial reaction should be to:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

【2】Assess her safety. Though all answers are correct, her safety, making sure she is not a threat to herself or anyone else, should be the first assessment.

CEN Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

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