PCCN Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (1–10)

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT an air-leak syndrome?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Pneumocranium. The four main types of air-leak syndromes include pneumothorax, pneumopericardium, pneumomediastinum, and pulmonary interstitial emphysema.

Question 2

Where should the chest drainage unit be placed?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

below the patient's chest. A patient with a pneumothorax may have a chest tube. The chest drainage unit needs to be placed below the patient's chest. This will prevent a backup.

Question 3

A common cause of chronic respiratory failure is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

What is the most common cause of COPD?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Smoking. Smoking is the most common cause of COPD. COPD is a collection of conditions that impair the flow of air into and out of the lungs (suchg as emphysema and bronchitis).

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a potential cause of hypoventilation?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Hypercapnia (too much CO2 in blood). Stroke in the brainstem, heroin overdose and chronic mountain sickness are all potential causes of hypoventilation. Hypocapnia (too little CO2 in the blood) is another potential cause, but hypercapnia is actually the result of hypoventilation.

Question 5

COPD is a progressive disease; what does this mean about COPD?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

It get progressively worse over time. COPD is a progressive disease. This means that over time, it gets progressively worse.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a diagnostic test to determine pulmonary embolism?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

pulse oximetry. Pulse oximetry is used to monitor oxygen saturation. The other answers are used to diagnose pulmonary embolism. Chest X-ray, ABG, and examination are also used to determine pulmonary embolism.

Question 7

A patient has COPD.

What action is recommended to prevent an infection?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

flu and pneumococcal vaccination. Patients with COPD are at risk of infections. The American Lung Association and American Thoracic Society both recommend patients be vaccinated.

Question 8

In outpatient diabetic management, what is the best measure of a client’s glycemic control?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

HbA1c. The best measure of long-term glycemic control is HbA1c.

This gives an evaluation of a client’s glycemic control for the past 3 months and is the best guide for future medication choices.

BUN/creatinine measures kidney function and would only reflect chronically poor glycemic control to the point of kidney damage.

Morning and hourly blood sugars are helpful, but do not reflect prolonged glycemic control.

Question 9

The most common cause of gastrointestinal bleed is:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Peptic ulcer. The most common cause of gastrointestinal bleed is peptic ulcer. A peptic ulcer, also known as ulcus pepticum, PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is an ulcer (defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm) of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful.

Question 10

What is the average life of red blood cells in the body?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

120 days. Hemoglobin, the oxygen carrier found in red blood cells, has a biconcave disc-like structure. RBCs typically stay for 120 days in the body before being eliminated in the spleen. Hemoglobin is also destroyed along with the red blood cells, and the heme portion is recycled or excreted from the body.

PCCN Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (1–10)

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