CPEN Emergency Nurse Prep practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q21All the following are associated with an increased risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), EXCEPT:
✓ Correct answer: C. Early catheter removal
Answer: Early catheter removal CAUTIs are a significant concern in pediatric emergency settings. CAUTI is defined as a urinary tract infection that develops in a patient who had a catheter placed within the last 2 days. The infection cannot be attributable to another source. Consistent and early removal of urinary catheters significantly reduces the risk of CAUTIs. Proper catheter care and early removal when no longer needed is essential to prevent infections. Longer catheter dwell times increase the risk of CAUTIs. Utilizing the bladder for catheter placement without proper sterile technique increases the risk and should be avoided. Catheter insertion sites and tubing need regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure they remain clean and dry.
Q22Which of the following medications are primarily used in the initial treatment of status epilepticus in pediatric patients?
✓ Correct answer: C. Intravenous benzodiazepines and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)
Answer: Intravenous benzodiazepines and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) Status epilepticus is a prolonged seizure or series of seizures without full recovery between them. In children, it is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to prevent long-term neurological damage. The first-line treatment for status epilepticus typically includes intravenous benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam or diazepam. These medications act quickly to stop seizures. If seizures persist, intravenous antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) like fosphenytoin or levetiracetam may be used. These treatments aim to stabilize neural activity and prevent further seizures.
Q23A pediatric patient is brought to the emergency department after being in a severe motor vehicle accident, exhibiting signs of multiple fractures and internal injuries. What should be the nurse's first priority of care?
✓ Correct answer: B. Airway management
Answer: Airway management In trauma cases, the primary assessment follows the "ABCDE" methodology: A: Airway B: Breathing C: Circulation D: Disability E: Expose/Examine Airway and breathing should be assessed and managed first. Basic life-support measures, including providing 100% supplemental oxygen via facemask, should be instituted if necessary. Assessing and ensuring adequate respirations is crucial, with symmetrical and bilateral chest movement and auscultation for breath sounds. After airway, breathing, and circulation have been addressed, other issues such as pain management, neurological status, and stabilizing fractures can be attended to.
Q24You are triaging a 5-year-old child who was found unresponsive at home. Initial assessment reveals that the child has pinpoint pupils and is experiencing respiratory depression. Which statement, if made by the parent, demonstrates they understood your explanation about the possible cause of the child’s condition?
✓ Correct answer: A. "My child may have ingested opioids, which can cause pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression."
Answer: "My child may have ingested opioids, which can cause pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression." Opioid ingestion in children can lead to life-threatening conditions such as respiratory depression and pinpoint pupils. This scenario necessitates immediate medical attention and the administration of an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone, to counteract the effects. Other conditions such as hypoglycemia, seizure disorders, or infections can cause unresponsiveness but do not typically present with pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression.
Q25A pediatric nurse would NOT expect to observe bradycardia in which emergent situation?
✓ Correct answer: B. Acute dehydration
Answer: Acute dehydration Bradycardia, defined as a slower than normal heart rate, is typically observed in situations that affect the autonomic regulation of the heart. This includes instances like increased intracranial pressure, severe hypothermia, and complete heart block. In the context of acute dehydration, compensatory mechanisms usually result in tachycardia rather than bradycardia.
Q26What is the Platelet Antibody Test (PAT) used to detect?
✓ Correct answer: A. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
Answer: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) The Platelet Antibody Test (PAT) is used to detect antibodies that act against the platelets. This condition, known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets and destroys platelets. Platelets are small cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting, and their destruction can lead to excessive bleeding and bruising. The PAT is essential for diagnosing ITP and differentiating it from other causes of thrombocytopenia. Any acute inflammatory response is typically identified using markers such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP), which are nonspecific indicators of inflammation. IgM-positive antibodies in maternal and newborn blood are often investigated using other specific tests aimed at identifying maternal-fetal blood incompatibility. Histocompatibility testing identifies HLA antigens, which are crucial for organ transplantation compatibility, rather than platelet antibodies.
Q27How should the progression of physical recovery following a pediatric injury be described?
✓ Correct answer: B. Variable and individualized
Answer: Variable and individualized Physical recovery in children following an injury is highly variable and depends on multiple factors including the severity of the injury, the child's overall health, and the availability of supportive care. Just like the process of grief, recovery is subjective and unique to each child. Stages of healing can overlap and one child's progress may differ greatly from another's.
Q28Which patient is the FLACC Pain Scale most appropriate for in a pediatric emergency setting?
✓ Correct answer: D. A toddler with a developmental delay
The FLACC (face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability) Pain Scale is most appropriate for preverbal or nonverbal patients who cannot self-report their pain intensity. This includes infants and toddlers with developmental delays or cognitive impairments. It is not suitable for children who can communicate their pain or newborns who require different pain assessment scales like N-PASS or CRIES.
Q29Bradycardia is indicative of which type of pediatric shock?
✓ Correct answer: A. Hypovolemic shock
Answer: Hypovolemic shock Bradycardia is a symptom of hypovolemic shock in pediatric patients. Other symptoms include hypotension, altered mental status, tachypnea, delayed capillary refill, and cool, clammy skin. Septic shock often presents with tachycardia and fever. Cardiogenic shock can present with hypotension, poor perfusion, and pulmonary edema. Anaphylactic shock is characterized by hypotension, tachycardia, and multiple organ dysfunction due to severe allergic reactions.
Q30Which of the following interventions BEST enhances rapid assessment skills for a nursing team in a pediatric emergency department?
✓ Correct answer: C. Implement regular simulation scenarios with debriefing sessions
Regular simulation scenarios with debriefing sessions allow the nursing team to practice rapid assessment and decision-making in a controlled environment. This method enhances learning through immersive experiences and reflective practices. Debriefing sessions help identify strengths and areas for improvement, leading to enhanced competence and confidence.
Use the free CPEN Emergency Nurse Prep sample, download the PDF, then unlock web-based timed mock exams for a full exam rehearsal.
Theory