PCCN EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2024
Causes of prerenal AKI - answer- blood flow changes > hypovolemia, hTN, and renal
vasoconstriction
Causes of intrarenal AKI - answer- Tubular necrosis secondary to surgery, shock,
sepsis, rhabdo, and blood transfusion reaction
Causes of postrenal AKI - answer- Mechanical obstruction, BPH, prostate cancer, and
renal calculi
If a patient's hyperkalemia is not improving after calcium gluconate, regular IV insulin,
and glucose, what is the next step? - answer- Dialysis
Common complications of an AKI - answer- electrolyte abnormalities, metabolic
acidosis, pulmonary and peripheral edema, HF and nervous system changes (lethargy,
AMS) due to uremia
EKG signs of an AKI - answer- Peaked T waves and widening QRS complex
The National Kidney Foundation recommends that patients on dialysis drink less than
___ oz per day - answer- 32
Foods high in potassium include - answer- Broccoli, leafy greens, peas, potatoes,
spinach, milk, yogurt, tuna, legumes
A patient with hypokalemia is not responding to potassium supplementation. what
additional lab should be checked? - answer- Magnesium. Hypomagnesia can
exacerbate hypokalemia or make supplementation ineffective.
A decrease in urine volume by ____ mL/kg over 6 hours also indicates a possible AKI -
answer- 0.5
S/S of small bowel obstruction - answer- decreased appetite, bilious vomiting, distended
abdomen, bloating
S/S of large bowel obstruction - answer- diffuse abdominal tenderness, constipation,
intermittent feculent vomiting
S/S of upper GI bleed - answer- epigastric pain, bright red or coffee ground emesis,
hematemesis, htn, syncope
S/S of lower GI bleed - answer- hematochezia, bright or dark red clots in stool
What is the gold standard test for diagnosing ischemic bowel? - answer- CT
angiography
, What sort of foods should a patient with IBS avoid eating to decrease discomfort? -
answer- dairy, fruit, fermentable carbs, wheat, and certain vegetables
What is the last resort treatment option for pulmonary hypertension if other treatments
are not working? - answer- Lung transplant (though pulmonary hypertension can still
occur after a successful transplant)
Anticholinergics (ipratropium) MOA - answer- blocks the effects of Ach to relax the
muscles causing bronchoconstriction, reduces mucus production
Beta-2 agonists/bronchodilators MOA - answer- relax smooth airway muscle to
decrease inflammation
S/S of tylenol overdose - answer- abd pain, appetite loss, seizures, irritability, jaundice,
diaphoresis, and coma
Signs of metoprolol overdose - answer- bradycardia, hytn, dizziness
S/S carbon monoxide poisoning - answer- headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting,
chest pain, and confusion
Electrolyte abnormalities commonly seen in patients with an AKI include - answer-
hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and hyponatremia
Mital regurgitation will show what on an EKG - answer- exaggerated A waves
What is the concentration and dilution of epinephrine? - answer- 1:1,000 dilution, 0.2 to
0.5 mg
Cardiac enzymes are drawn how frequently after an MI - answer- every 8 hours
Stroke volume is dependent on three factors - answer- contractility, preload, and
afterload
S/S of ascending cholangitis - answer- RUQ pain, fever, jaundice, and reported alcohol
use
Stable Vtach is likely caused by - answer- electrolyte abnormalities
The best way to prevent a UTI in a patient with a catheter is - answer- position the
drainage bag lower than the bladder
A patient with dilated cardiomyopathy will likely have which abnormal lab value -
answer- hyponatremia due to the release of antidiuretic hormone and volume overload