PCCN Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

Question 1

If the volume of one of the intracranial constituents increases, a reciprocal decrease in the volume of one or both of the others must occur or ICP will increase. This is known as which of the following?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Monro-Kellie hypothesis. The Monro-Kellie hypothesis states that if the volume of one of the intracranial constituents increases, a reciprocal decrease in the volume of one or both of the others must occur or ICP will increase. This hypothesis is involved in the pathophysiology of increased intracranial pressure.

Question 2

You are providing patient education to a patient who will undergo CABG. She asks when she will be allowed to resume her normal activities, which include regular exercise and working a full-time job.

Which of the following reflects the recommendations for this patient?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

She should limit herself to light activity for the first 6 weeks after surgery.. CABG patients may engage in light activity such as light housekeeping for the first 6 weeks post-surgery. They may then return to work. Normal activity levels are usually resumed within 3 months of surgery.

Question 3

Dr. Edward from another hospital comes to seek the medical record of patient William. The duty nurse should ensure that:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

The patient signs a release before providing medical records to another party. The nurse should ensure patient signs a release before providing medical records to another party.

Confidentiality is the obligation and ethical responsibility in a professional-patient relationship.

Nurses should ethically protect the information they possess concerning the patient and family.

The patient needs to sign a release before the duty nurse can give over his medical records to another doctor.

Question 4

You are providing care to a patient who has been admitted for a hip replacement. She has a history of cardiovascular disease and has been taking warfarin.

Which of the following is likely to be prescribed to decrease her risk of DVT after surgery?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

an IVC filter. An inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is used to lower the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The IVC filter is used in cases where anticoagulant therapy is not advised, such as in patients with increased risk for bleeding. This patient's warfarin use increases her risk for bleeding and makes it inadvisable to use other anticoagulants. She is at elevated risk of DVT due to her history of heart disease. Most doctors generally will not recommend an IVC filter if other options are available instead.

Question 5

A patient is sedated.

What precaution should be taken to prevent injury?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

bed rails. Sedated patients are at risk of injuring themselves. Bed rails will keep patients from falling and injuring themselves.

Question 6

When assessing a patient's limbs, if he receives a grade of 3, what does this mean?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Full ROM against gravity only, moderate muscle weakness.. The limb assessment of a conscious patient is given a grade according to the patient's strength. The grades are as follows: 5 - Full ROM against gravity and resistance; normal muscle strength. 4 - Full ROM against gravity and a moderate amount of resistance; slight weakness. 3 - Full ROM against gravity only, moderate muscle weakness. 2 - Full range of motion when gravity is eliminated, severe weakness. 1 - A weak muscle contraction is palpated, but no movement is noted, very severe weakness. 0 - Complete paralysis.

Question 7

Which of the following signs would be present in a patient who took too much bupropion?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Seizure activity. Seizures would be a side effect of taking more than 450mg of bupropion daily. Constipation, weight gain, and dizziness are also common side effects of the medication.

Question 8

Medication that is to be administered once per day in the morning will be noted as which of the following?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

q.a.m.. This abbreviation indicates that the medication should be given once a day before noon. Consult the medication order for the mode of administration.

Question 9

While checking the abducens nerve of the candidate, the nurse will ask the candidate to follow the finger from?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

1 o’clock position to 11 o’clock position, clockwise. While checking the abducens nerve, the nurse will ask the candidate to follow the finger from the 1 o’clock to 11 o’clock position, in a clockwise direction.

Question 10

An Ethical Principle that relates to the distribution of limited resources of healthcare benefits to members of society is called:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Justice. An Ethical Principle that relates to the distribution of limited resources of healthcare benefits to members of society is called is justice.

Justice is the Ethical Principle that relates to the distribution of limited healthcare resources to society.

It means that the health care facilities should be distributed to all patients fairly and equally according to their needs.

Nurse should not be Patient bias and should make justice between two patients.

PCCN Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

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