CEN - Certified Emergency Nurse Practice Test
Build your confidence for CEN - Certified Emergency Nurse. Practice the concepts, understand the answers, and strengthen your knowledge one question at a time.
Try a sample questionExam overview and details
The Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) credential, administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), is the premier professional certification for registered nurses specializing in emergency care. It validates a nurse's advanced knowledge, clinical judgment, and expertise across the full spectrum of emergency nursing practice. Earning the CEN demonstrates a commitment to excellence and a mastery of critical competencies required to manage high-acuity patients in fast-paced, unpredictable environments. The certification is nationally recognized by healthcare institutions and signifies a nurse's ability to provide safe, effective, and evidence-based care for patients of all ages with urgent and emergent conditions. Holding the CEN credential not only enhances individual clinical practice but also contributes to improved patient outcomes, increased departmental standards, and the overall advancement of the emergency nursing specialty.
Sample Questions
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A 64-year-old woman has abrupt vertigo, vomiting, diplopia, severe gait ataxia, and dysarthria. She denies weakness. A colleague says it is probably viral labyrinthitis because she is dizzy. What is the safer concern?
A 10-week pregnant patient has severe vomiting, ketonuria, weight loss, and weakness. She has had little intake for days. Dextrose-containing fluids are ordered. What should be given before or with dextrose?
Ten minutes after delivery, a patient has heavy vaginal bleeding and a boggy uterus above the umbilicus. BP is 94/58 and HR is 118. The placenta appears intact. What is the priority intervention?
A 76-year-old man collapses in triage with abdominal and back pain. He is pale, HR 126, BP 70/40, and a pulsatile abdominal mass is palpated. Bedside ultrasound shows a large abdominal aortic aneurysm with free fluid. What is the priority disposition?
A 67-year-old arrives with new facial droop and arm weakness 45 minutes after onset. Vitals are stable and he is breathing normally. The waiting room is full. What ESI level is most appropriate?
Exam insights and study advice
Achieving the CEN certification is a powerful differentiator that signifies clinical excellence and a dedicated commitment to the emergency nursing specialty. It is a mark of professional achievement that is highly valued by employers, often linked to career advancement opportunities, clinical ladder progression, and potential salary increases. In an industry where expertise directly impacts patient survival and recovery, the CEN provides tangible recognition of a nurse's ability to perform under pressure, make critical decisions, and adhere to the highest standards of care. It establishes credibility with colleagues, physicians, and healthcare organizations, positioning the holder as a leader and expert within the emergency department and the broader healthcare community.
What this exam covers
01Cardiovascular Emergencies
Topics
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Aneurysm and dissection
- Cardiopulmonary arrest
- Dysrhythmias
- Endocarditis, Myocarditis, Pericarditis
- Heart failure
- Hypertension
- Pericardial tamponade
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Thromboembolic disease
- Cardiovascular trauma
- Cardiogenic shock and obstructive shock
Learning objectives
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Aneurysm and dissection
- Cardiopulmonary arrest
- Dysrhythmias
- Endocarditis, Myocarditis, Pericarditis
- Heart failure
- Hypertension
- Pericardial tamponade
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Thromboembolic disease
- Cardiovascular trauma
- Cardiogenic shock and obstructive shock
02Environment and Toxicology Emergencies, and Communicable Diseases
Topics
- Environment
- Toxicology
- Communicable Diseases
Learning objectives
- Environment
- Toxicology
- Communicable Diseases
03Gastrointestinal Emergencies
Topics
- Appendicitis
- Peritonitis
- Bowel perforation
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome
- Bleeding
- Cholecystitis
- Cirrhosis
- Diverticulitis
- Esophageal varices
- Foreign bodies
- Hepatitis
- Intussusception
- Obstructions
- Pancreatitis
- Gastrointestinal trauma
- Gastrointestinal disorders
Learning objectives
- Appendicitis
- Peritonitis
- Bowel perforation
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome
- Bleeding
- Cholecystitis
- Cirrhosis
- Diverticulitis
- Esophageal varices
- Foreign bodies
- Hepatitis
- Intussusception
- Obstructions
- Pancreatitis
- Gastrointestinal trauma
- Gastrointestinal disorders
04Genitourinary, Gynecology, and Obstetrical Emergencies
Topics
- Genitourinary
- Gynecology
- Obstetrical
Learning objectives
- Genitourinary
- Gynecology
- Obstetrical
05Head, Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Emergencies
Topics
- Head: facial nerve disorders, maxillofacial infections, maxillofacial trauma
- Eye: abrasions, burns, foreign bodies, increased IOP, infections, retinal artery occlusion, retinal detachment, ocular trauma, ulcerations and keratitis
- Ear, Nose, Throat
Learning objectives
- Head: facial nerve disorders, maxillofacial infections, maxillofacial trauma
- Eye: abrasions, burns, foreign bodies, increased IOP, infections, retinal artery occlusion, retinal detachment, ocular trauma, ulcerations and keratitis
- Ear, Nose, Throat
06Medical Emergencies
Topics
- Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
- Hematologic disorders
- Electrolyte and fluid imbalance
- Endocrine disorders
- Immunocompromise
- Sepsis
- Hypovolemic and distributive shock
- Substance use and abuse
- Withdrawal syndrome
Learning objectives
- Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
- Hematologic disorders
- Electrolyte and fluid imbalance
- Endocrine disorders
- Immunocompromise
- Sepsis
- Hypovolemic and distributive shock
- Substance use and abuse
- Withdrawal syndrome
07Mental Health Emergencies
Topics
- Aggressive and violent behavior
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Homicidal and suicidal ideation
- Intentional overdose and ingestions
- Psychotic disorders
- Bipolar disorders
Learning objectives
- Aggressive and violent behavior
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Homicidal and suicidal ideation
- Intentional overdose and ingestions
- Psychotic disorders
- Bipolar disorders
08Musculoskeletal and Wound Emergencies
Topics
- Musculoskeletal: amputation, compartment syndrome, ligament tendon injuries, fractures, dislocations, inflammatory conditions, osteomyelitis
- Wound: avulsions and degloving, infections, injection injuries, lacerations, penetrating injuries, wound bleeding
Learning objectives
- Musculoskeletal: amputation, compartment syndrome, ligament tendon injuries, fractures, dislocations, inflammatory conditions, osteomyelitis
- Wound: avulsions and degloving, infections, injection injuries, lacerations, penetrating injuries, wound bleeding
09Neurological Emergencies
Topics
- Neurological disorders
- Headache
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Meningitis
- Seizure disorders
- Stroke
- TIA
- Head and spinal cord trauma
- Neurogenic shock
Learning objectives
- Neurological disorders
- Headache
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Meningitis
- Seizure disorders
- Stroke
- TIA
- Head and spinal cord trauma
- Neurogenic shock
10Professional Issues
Topics
- Prioritization: triage, mass casualty, patient throughput
- Legal and ethical issues
Learning objectives
- Prioritization: triage, mass casualty, patient throughput
- Legal and ethical issues
11Respiratory Emergencies
Topics
- Aspiration
- Asthma
- COPD
- Infections
- Inhalation injuries
- Obstruction
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumothorax
- Noncardiac pulmonary edema
- Pulmonary embolus
- Respiratory distress syndrome
- Respiratory trauma
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Croup
Learning objectives
- Aspiration
- Asthma
- COPD
- Infections
- Inhalation injuries
- Obstruction
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumothorax
- Noncardiac pulmonary edema
- Pulmonary embolus
- Respiratory distress syndrome
- Respiratory trauma
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Croup