CCRN-ADULT Practice Test (15 Questions)

13%

Cardiovascular

Recognize, monitor, and manage acute cardiac and vascular instability, rhythm and conduction problems, structural disease, shock, surgery, and cardiovascular procedures.

• Assess acute coronary syndromes, aortic emergencies, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, hypertensive crisis, tamponade, and cardiac trauma
• Identify and respond to dysrhythmias, conduction defects, hemodynamic instability, and decreased cardiac output
• Manage patients requiring cardiac or vascular catheterization, invasive monitoring, mechanical circulatory support, pericardiocentesis, or temporary pacing
• Recognize cardiac infection, inflammatory disease, structural defects, vascular disease, surgery, and intervention-related needs

12%

Respiratory

Assess and manage acute oxygenation, ventilation, airway, pleural, pulmonary vascular, trauma, infection, and mechanical-support problems.

• Recognize ARDS, respiratory failure, pulmonary edema or embolus, infection, hemorrhage, pulmonary hypertension, and status asthmaticus
• Manage airway and oxygen-delivery devices, noninvasive support, mechanical ventilation, and ventilation-related complications
• Support bronchoscopy, chest tubes, prone positioning, rapid-sequence intubation, thoracentesis, tracheostomy, and respiratory monitoring
• Assess chronic pulmonary disease, pleural abnormalities, thoracic or airway trauma, and thoracic surgery

21%

Endocrine, Hematology/Immunology, GI, Renal/GU, Integumentary

The largest category integrates endocrine crises, hematologic and immune disorders, gastrointestinal emergencies, renal dysfunction, nutrition, and skin integrity.

• Manage endocrine emergencies including adrenal insufficiency, DKA, HHS, DI, SIADH, and thyroid disorders
• Recognize anemia, coagulopathy, myelosuppression, autoimmune or oncologic complications, and transfusion reactions
• Assess abdominal compartment syndrome, GI hemorrhage, ischemia, obstruction, perforation, hepatic failure, pancreatitis, peritonitis, surgery, and nutritional needs
• Monitor AKI, CKD, infection, nephrotoxic exposure, hemodialysis, CRRT, and peritoneal dialysis
• Prevent and manage pressure injury, IV infiltration, cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, wounds, and skin failure

18%

Musculoskeletal, Neurological, Behavioral/Psychosocial

Manage neurologic and musculoskeletal injury or disease while recognizing delirium, behavioral emergencies, psychological distress, and safety risks.

• Assess compartment syndrome, fractures, trauma, deconditioning, spinal injury, and early-mobility needs
• Manage stroke, brain injury, encephalopathy, seizures, neurogenic shock, infection, surgery, neuromuscular disease, and neurologic monitoring devices
• Apply seizure and spinal precautions and support EEG, ICP or ventricular drains, and neuroendovascular or neurosurgical procedures
• Recognize delirium, agitation, violence, non-adherence, mood disorders, PICS, PTSD, substance use, self-harm, and suicidal risk

16%

Multisystem

Integrate whole-patient priorities in sepsis, shock, organ dysfunction, toxic exposure, burns, temperature disorders, maternal emergencies, and end-of-life care.

• Recognize sepsis, SIRS, shock states, MODS, anoxic injury, acid-base disturbance, and fluid or electrolyte imbalance
• Manage burns, rhabdomyolysis, toxic exposure, submersion injury, thermoregulation, obesity-related complications, and transplant comorbidity
• Prevent healthcare-associated infection and support ECMO, intra-abdominal pressure monitoring, targeted temperature management, and organ donation
• Provide pain, palliative, end-of-life, maternal-fetal emergency, failure-to-thrive, and sleep-disruption care

20%

Professional Caring & Ethical Practice

Apply AACN Synergy Model nursing competencies to advocate, collaborate, teach, inquire, respond to diversity, and improve care within complex systems.

• Demonstrate advocacy and moral agency and deliver compassionate caring practices
• Use clinical inquiry and evidence to improve practice
• Collaborate across disciplines and communicate safely during transitions
• Facilitate patient, family, and staff learning and respond appropriately to diversity
• Apply systems thinking to safety, resources, quality, and coordinated care