Medical Tests CEN Exam Questions
Certified Emergency Nurse (Page 4 )

Updated On: 15-Feb-2026

The most appropriate action by the nurse who is preparing to communicate with an older patient who has hearing loss is:

  1. Stand in front of the patient.
  2. Exaggerate lip movements.
  3. Obtain a sign language interpreter.
  4. Pantomime and write the patient notes.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

The nurse should stand in front of the patient with hearing loss while trying to communicate with them. By standing in front of the patient and providing adequate lighting, the nurse insures that the patient can see the nurse clearly. If there is still difficulty communicating, then notes and pantomime can be used.



Which of the following assessments would make the nurse suspect that a child has strabismus?

  1. Tilts head to see
  2. Turns head to see
  3. Does not respond when spoken to
  4. Has difficulty hearing

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

A child with strabismus will tilt head to see. Strabismus is when the extraocular muscles have a lack of coordination so the eyes do not align. The patient may complain of frequent headaches and squint to see and may need to go to surgery to realign the weak muscles if nonsurgical interventions do not work.



You are caring for a child with chlamydial conjunctivitis. What would you want to investigate if you had a patient with this diagnosis?

  1. Presence of an allergy
  2. Possible trauma
  3. Possible sexual abuse
  4. Presence of a respiratory infection

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

The nurse would want to investigate possible sexual abuse. This diagnosis in a child who is not sexually active should trigger suspicions in the nurse. Allergy, trauma and infection can all cause conjunctivitis, but chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease.



You are caring for a child who is going to have a tonsillectomy. Which of the following laboratory results would you want to check preoperatively?

  1. Prothrombin time
  2. Sedimentation rate
  3. Blood urea nitrogen
  4. Creatinine

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

The nurse would want to check the prothrombin time preoperatively and report any abnormal results to the surgeon. The tonsillar area is very vascular, which can increase the patient's chance of bleeding. If the prothrombin time is not adequate, the patient could bleed to death.



You are caring for a child who will have a tonsillectomy. Which of the following would increase the child's risk of aspiration during surgery?

  1. Difficulty swallowing
  2. Loose teeth
  3. Bleeding
  4. Exudate in the throat

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

If the child has loose teeth it increases the risk of aspiration. A and D are symptoms that indicate the need for surgery. C will be taken care of during surgery with suctioning and packing. Therefore it is important that the nurse check the child for loose teeth prior to surgery to prevent aspiration.






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