CCRN anyone?

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So, I've decided to sign up for the CCRN exam. I've been considering it for the past few months, and decided to go for it. I've been at the point the last several months where I've been a "go to" person, so I figured now was an appropriate time for me. It is an expensive test, and I won't get an increase in pay for it, but I still decided to do it because I missed studying and taking exams. Pretty much, I miss school, but I'm not going to go back yet since I'm at the age where I'd like to start a family, and, while school won't be easier once I have kids, I have a supportive hubby who will pick up the slack when I do go back. I'm also not 100% sure if I want to pursue the NP, education, or CRNA route (pretty sure I would enjoy all of them), so I'd rather be 100% sure for obvious reasons. This is also one of those things, keeping bureacracy in mind, that just looks good on a resume, doesn't it?

So, who is with me here? Anyone? It'll be a few weeks until my eligibility is confirmed, but I ordered my books, just waiting on them to arrive. If there are enough interested people, I thought I'd start the fact throwing thread that they had for NCLEX, etc. I did see one on here for the CCRN, but the poor OP only had a few interested takers.

If interested in posting a few things, being somewhat active, reply with a "Me,", "Yes," or something to that effect.

I enjoy writing test questions, used to do that in nursing school for my classmates, so once I actually start studying, maybe I'll write some and post them. Would be good if I were familiar with the kinds of questions they ask first, though, wouldn't you agree? lol.

Have a good one!

Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

So, I've started studying, and it gives me something to do that first night I'm up all night (for my first night back to work) other than laundry, and catching up on a Netflix movie lol.

Anyway, I am using the CD from the AACN book right now, the study mode, and I love that it gives detailed rationales. (has both a study mode and an exam mode). Get the book if you're looking for a good book.

Thought I would write a random question: (I will contribute more once I have studied more, and have more info to share sometime later this week :)).

Your patient is on PS settings 30% FiO2, Peep 5, PS 5 on the ventilator for possible wean to CPAP trial within the next few hours. He has been tolerating this setting well, but you notice that when his family comes back to visit, he is increasingly agitated, and the high pressure alarm is going off more consistently even after you'd tried to assist both patient and family understand one another. You, his nurse, should:

A). Medicate the patient with 2 mg ativan IV

B). Reassure the patient that he is doing very well, and to try to calm down.

C). Explain to the family that it is best for them to go out to the waiting room after they say good night since the patient is becoming frustrated that he can't talk to them due to the breathing tube being in place, and is tiring himself out in the process.

D). Explain to the family that it's not in the patient's best interest to wake him up to ask him if he is comfortable once he is already asleep. (lol, this was just a fun one, we'd never say this. But, we've all experienced it. :). The families mean well, though. Usually a little education goes a long way).

Specializes in Critical Care.

The Pass CCRN! book is excellent. If you search CCRN on iTunes, you should be able to find CCRN review podcasts by Cammy-House Francher. Excellent review for those studying for the CCRN or PCCN, and best of all it's free! The only downside is there are no visuals and she does refer to the handout at times, but it is still a wealth of information. And I think Cammy is a fabulous educator. She makes concepts easier to understand.

Thank you so much! I will definitely get that!

Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Here are some cardiopulmonary pearls (I will contribute more later):

* Patients with mitral stenosis/left atrial enlargement may present with P mitrale, a wide (>0.1 second) and notched P wave.

* Contraindications for a PCI: left main coronary artery disease, unless there is a back-up supply, such as a CABG. INflating a balloon to this vessel can cause the entire left ventricle to become ischemia and possibly cause an infarction.

* In patients with a cardiac contusion, look for signs of right-sided heart failure. The right ventricle lies immediately behind the sternum so this is the part of the heart that is most likely to be damaged.

* Mitral and tricuspid stenosis (AV valve stenosis) are the only low-pitched murmurs. All other murmurs are high-pitched.

* Large volumes of banked blood can cause the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to shift to the left because it is low in 2,3-DPG. Affinity between oxygen and hemoglobin is increased but the hemoglobin is less readily releasing O2 at the tissue level (left = locked!)

* Early signs of O2 toxicity: substernal distress, parethesias in the extremities, GI symptoms (anorexia, nausea, vomiting), fatigue, malaise, dyspnea, restlessness.

Late signs: hypercapnia, cyanosis, decreasing compliance, increasing A;a gradient and pulmonary edema.

* A normalization or increase in PaCO2 levels in the asthmatic patient is an ominous sign. PaCO2 should be decreased if ventilation is normal. Also watch out for absence of wheezing or rhonchi, which mean there is no airflow.

Specializes in ICU.

Hey turnforthenurse, go take your test already! Your pearls on this thread, and the other one are very applicable to CCRN and I imagine the PCCN as well.

Specializes in ER, progressive care.
Hey turnforthenurse, go take your test already! Your pearls on this thread, and the other one are very applicable to CCRN and I imagine the PCCN as well.

:lol2: I finally picked a test date, I have a month! It's crunch time!

I'm in! Scheduled for April 5. I would love more scenario questions, I feel like I'm seeing the same ones over & over on the Pass CCRN CD.

Specializes in ER, progressive care.
I'm in! Scheduled for April 5. I would love more scenario questions, I feel like I'm seeing the same ones over & over on the Pass CCRN CD.

That's kind of how I'm feeling about the Pass CCRN CD. But at the same time, I'm surprised I'm doing well because the PCCN doesn't go over invasive mechanical ventilation or invasive hemodynamics. So if I can score an 80%+ on the CCRN questions, I should be able to pass the PCCN...right? :confused:

Have you bought the CCRN SAE (self assessment exam) through the AACN? I hear the questions are from previous CCRN exams, so it can help you get a feel for the exam. I purchased the PCCN SAE and even though it is more money spent, I'm glad I did. It gave me more practice.

Specializes in Anesthesia, Critical Care.

I passed the CCRN This past Saturday. I did the gasparis videos and Kaplan questions. They were both very helpful not only in studying for an exam, but for practice as well. I learned my weak areas very quickly and concentrated on those. The test was hard, but not impossible. To me the anxiety of test taking is a huge factor. I had to remind myself to calm down before and during the exam. Had to read into the question and not jump at the first one that looked correct. I did come across some i did not know. Still passed with 102/125. I wish luck to those signing up.

Specializes in Critical Care.

When I'm doing the 150 question exams on pass CCRN, the organ system is at the top. Does it say the organ system at the top during the exam also? I'm asking bc I find myself looking at the topic and them basing my thoughts and answer on the organ system. I don't want to get too comfortable doing that if the topics aren't listed during the exam. Super nervous here.

Specializes in Anesthesia, Critical Care.

The systems are not listed at the top. The way it works is you must surmise what the problem is from the values and clues they give you and work out the best solution.

Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I just wanted to say that I took my PCCN exam today and I passed!!! So glad that is over and done with! :D

Congrats to you!!!! I take CCRN tomorrow!

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