Anyone else studying for CCRN exam?

Specialties CCU

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  1. I have or would like to get my CCRN certification: (you may select more than one)

    • 851
      Yes
    • 17
      No
    • 365
      If yes: I get some kind of financial reward or incentive to achieve and maintain certification.
    • 331
      If yes: There is no financial reward or incentive at my institution for CCRN certification.
    • 360
      If yes: I have or can have CCRN on my name badge or there is other forms of acknowledgement.
    • 291
      If yes: I find the certification has empowered my practice and would encourage others to pursue it.
    • 13
      If yes: It really hasn't been worth the work and I would discourage others from pursuing it.
    • 5
      If no: I don't have the certification and feel no need or have had negative experiences.
    • 53
      If no: I would like to pursue it, but have had difficulty getting motivated.
    • 12
      I am undecided.

379 members have participated

Is there anyone else out there who is currently studying for the CCRN exam and would like to start a thread as perhaps a study and support group? I have just applied for the exam and have not yet set a date, but about in 3 months is when I will be taking it. I would love to be in communication with others in the same boat! I hope there is at least one other nurse out there! Thanks!

deeDawntee

in the ccrn test, are we allowed to go back to a previously answered question or is it locked the moment you hit next question?

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Specializes in CTICU.
Thank you!! I thought so too. I know that thrombus originating from the right side causes pulmonary embolism (upper leg/thigh/near the pelvic area being the most common), and anything on the Left side of the heart causes systemic - arterial, cerebral, renal etc.

however, this rationale/answer threw me off again. i hope this is one of dennison's typo...

Rationale: Clots from the left atrium go to the coronary arteries, the cerebral arteries, or the peripheral arteries. Clots form the arms, legs and right ventricle go to the lung. Although pulmonary emboli are serious, the lung acts as a huge filter that prevents these clots from getting into the coronary arteries, the cerebral arteries or the peripheral arteries.

Strategy: Notice that option C is the only choice that is on the left side of the heart.

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Yes, that's weird - their rationale and strategy contradict each other.

Rationale: "Clots from the arms, legs and right ventricle go to the lung"

Strategy: "Notice that option C is the only choice that is on the left side of the heart"

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I think where they screwed up, is that they meant to ask "Where do most thrombi associated with fatal embolism form?" [ie. not 'embolism', not 'pulmonary embolism']. Then the rationale and strategy make sense.

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Hi Hazvirehwi,

Just wanna wish you goodluck on your exam! I know you'll do just great! By the end of the day, you will be CCRN-certified! yahoo!

Please come back and let us know what your test experience is like - maybe I'll learn from you as my exam is in 6 days!

Good luck! :)

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Hi Everyone!

I just spoke with hazvirehwi who just took her CCRN test yesterday.. and she said she passed the exam!!!! Welcome the newest CCRN passer in this thread! I'm next! Is there anyone who is taking their exam soon?

let me quote her in her email "

I PASSED , I PASSED. ICAN NOT SEEM TO ACCESS MY ACCOUNT HENCE THATS WHY I HAVENT POSTED THE GOOD NEWS. SO PLIZ POST THE GOOD NEWS FOR ME AND THANK ALL MY WELL WISHERS. THANK YOU.

GOOD LUCK NEXT WEEK. I NOW U CAN DO IT TO."

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Thank you!! I thought so too. I know that thrombus originating from the right side causes pulmonary embolism (upper leg/thigh/near the pelvic area being the most common), and anything on the Left side of the heart causes systemic - arterial, cerebral, renal etc.

however, this rationale/answer threw me off again. i hope this is one of dennison's typo...

Rationale: Clots from the left atrium go to the coronary arteries, the cerebral arteries, or the peripheral arteries. Clots form the arms, legs and right ventricle go to the lung. Although pulmonary emboli are serious, the lung acts as a huge filter that prevents these clots from getting into the coronary arteries, the cerebral arteries or the peripheral arteries.

Strategy: Notice that option C is the only choice that is on the left side of the heart.

Arms = R/L Subclavian -> superior vena cava

Legs = R/L External/Common Iliac -> Inferior vena cava

Right ventricle = Through pulmonary SL valve -> Pulmonary arterys(R/L) -> lobar arterys(R/L) -> lungs

Here is the write up on wikipedia about thrombosis and the many different types/causes.

Hope this helps

-Ryan

The formation of a thrombus is usually caused by Virchow's triad. To elaborate, the pathogenesis includes: an injury to the vessel's wall (such as by trauma, infection, or turbulent flow at bifurcations); by the slowing or stagnation of blood flow past the point of injury (which may occur after long periods of sedentary behavior—for example, sitting on a long airplane flight); by a blood state of hypercoagulability (caused for example, by genetic deficiencies or autoimmune disorders).

[edit] Classification

There are two distinct forms of thrombosis, each of which can be presented by several subtypes.

[edit] Venous thrombosis

Main article: Venous thrombosis

Venous thrombosis is the formation of a thrombus (blood clot) within a vein. There are several diseases which can be classified under this category:

[edit] Deep vein thrombosis

Main article: Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot within a deep vein. It most commonly affects leg veins, such as the femoral vein. Three factors are important in the formation of a blood clot within a deep vein—these are the rate of blood flow, the thickness of the blood and qualities of the vessel wall. Classical signs of DVT include swelling, pain and redness of the affected area.

[edit] Portal vein thrombosis

Main article: Portal vein thrombosis

Portal vein thrombosis is a form of venous thrombosis affecting the hepatic portal vein, which can lead to portal hypertension and reduction of the blood supply to the liver.[3] It usually has a pathological cause such as pancreatitis, cirrhosis, diverticulitis or cholangiocarcinoma.

[edit] Renal vein thrombosis

Main article: Renal vein thrombosis

Renal vein thrombosis is the obstruction of the renal vein by a thrombus. This tends to lead to reduced drainage from the kidney. Anticoagulation therapy is the treatment of choice.

[edit] Jugular Vein Thrombosis

Main article: Jugular vein thrombosis

Jugular Vein Thrombosis is a condition that may occur due to infection, intravenous drug use or malignancy. Jugular Vein Thrombosis can have a varying list of complications, including: systemic sepsis, pulmonary embolism, and papilledema. Characterized by a sharp pain at the site of the vein, it's difficult to diagnose, because it can occur at random. [4]

[edit] Budd-Chiari syndrome

Main article: Budd-Chiari syndrome

Budd-Chiari syndrome is the blockage of the hepatic vein or the inferior vena cava. This form of thrombosis presents with abdominal pain, ascites and hepatomegaly. Treatment varies between drug therapy and surgical intervention by the use of shunts.

[edit] Paget-Schroetter disease

Main article: Paget-Schroetter disease

Paget-Schroetter disease is the obstruction of an upper extremity vein (such as the axillary vein or subclavian vein) by a thrombus. The condition usually comes to light after vigorous exercise and usually presents in younger, otherwise healthy people. Men are affected more than women.

[edit] Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Main article: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare form of stroke which results from the blockage of the dural venous sinuses by a thrombus. Symptoms may include headache, abnormal vision, any of the symptoms of stroke such as weakness of the face and limbs on one side of the body and seizures. The diagnosis is usually made with a CT or MRI scan. The majority of persons affected make a full recovery. The mortality rate is 4.3%.[5]

[edit] Arterial thrombosis

Arterial thrombosis is the formation of a thrombus within an artery. In most cases, arterial thrombosis follows rupture of atheroma, and is therefore referred to as atherothrombosis. There are two diseases which can be classified under this category:

[edit] Stroke

Main article: Stroke

A stroke is the rapid decline of brain function due to a disturbance in the supply of blood to the brain. This can be due to ischemia, thrombus, embolus (a lodged particle) or hemorrhage (a bleed). In thrombotic stroke, a thrombus (blood clot) usually forms around atherosclerotic plaques. Since blockage of the artery is gradual, onset of symptomatic thrombotic strokes is slower. Thrombotic stroke can be divided into two categories—large vessel disease and small vessel disease. The former affects vessels such as the internal carotids, vertebral and the circle of Willis. The latter can affect smaller vessels such as the branches of the circle of Willis.

[edit] Myocardial infarction

Main article: Myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is caused by an infarct (death of tissue due to ischemia), often due to the obstruction of the coronary artery by a thrombus. MI can quickly become fatal if emergency medical treatment is not received promptly. If diagnosed within 12 hours of the initial episode (attack) then thrombolytic therapy is initiated.

[edit] Arterial embolus

An arterial embolus can form in the limbs.[6]

[edit] Embolisation

If a bacterial infection is present at the site of thrombosis, the thrombus may break down, spreading particles of infected material throughout the circulatory system (pyemia, septic embolus) and setting up metastatic abscesses wherever they come to rest. Without an infection, the thrombus may become detached and enter circulation as an embolus, finally lodging in and completely obstructing a blood vessel, which unless treated very quickly will lead to tissue necrosis (an infarction) in the area past the occlusion. If the occlusion is in the coronary artery, myocardial ischaemia is likely to occur, whereby cardiac myocytes cannot function proplerly due to lack of oxygen. This lack of oxygen is then likely to result in a myocardial infarction.

Most thrombi, however, become organized into fibrous tissue, and the thrombosed vessel is gradually recanalized.

[edit] Prevention

Thrombosis and embolism can be partially prevented with anticoagulants in those deemed at risk. One of the most common types of venous thrombosis is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot in one of the deep veins of the body.

Arterial thrombosis often occurs in arteries that supply the heart, resulting in a heart attack. It can also occur in the arteries of the brain, causing a stroke.

Sometimes, part, or all, of a blood clot can come away from its original site and travel through the bloodstream. If this occurs, the clot can become lodged in another part of the body. This is known as an embolism. A blood clot that lodges in one of the lungs is called a pulmonary embolism.

Generally, a risk-benefit analysis is required, as all anticoagulants lead to a small increase in the risk of major bleeding. In atrial fibrillation, for instance, the risk of stroke (calculated on the basis of additional risk factors, such as advanced age and high blood pressure) needs to outweigh the small but known risk of major bleeding associated with the use of warfarin.[7]

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Specializes in CTICU.

I don't know that I'd take my physiology info from wiki...

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Specializes in SRNA.

I can not get motivated to get out the materials and study! The weather here is beautiful and I'd rather be doing something fun during my time off right now. I'd really love to get it done by October though, because I'd get points towards my annual bonus if I get it, but I just don't have the determination! Someone want to share some of theirs with me? ;)

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Hi everyone!

I took my CCRN exam today, and I passed!!:wink2:

It was a difficult exam for sure but I scored fairly good. I got 109/125 questions.

Final Score: 87%

Cardiovascular 83%

Pulmonary 95%

Endocrine 60%

Hematology/Immunology 60%

Neurology 83%

Gastrointestinal 100%

Renal 83%

Multisystem 90%

Professional/Synergy Model 96%

Just for your information, I scored 87% on the last two PASS CCRN mock questions that I did.. I'm like.. wow.. this is awesome!

I'm soooooo happy this is over! This site really helped me a lot in trying to focus and I love all the tips that I got (i read about 60 pages of this thread!)

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congrads i told u u wld pass.:yeah::yeah::nurse:

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Specializes in MICU/SICU.
I couldn't agree more! I have found almost everyday that I can correlate something that I was studying, to a patient I have had in the last few weeks!! For example, I have been studying a lot of cardiac lately since we don't see it as much in the MICU. Well, I've got a super septic pt right now, maxed out on vasopressin and levophed, but also on milrinone because he has such an extensive heart history and they are thinking there's a little bit of cardiogenic shock going on. Yesterday before the milrinone was started, I was thinking: hey, this pictures looks a little cardiogenic also, we may need something for contractility or cardiac vasodilator. Oh how fun it is to learn!:lol2:

He's also on Xigris (among many other gtts), anyone know the cost of that one? I heard along the lines of $1000 a bag !!? Great med though!!

Happy studying everyone!;)

I looked up the cost of Xigris through Henry Schein last year - $880.00 per dose.

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

Paid to take test last week! When can I expect my permission to test letter? Anyway, I got my Laura V. DVD in the mail today and I'm using that along with the pass CCRN combo. Good luck to all, congrats to those who passed and thanks for having started this thread

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
I can not get motivated to get out the materials and study! The weather here is beautiful and I'd rather be doing something fun during my time off right now. I'd really love to get it done by October though, because I'd get points towards my annual bonus if I get it, but I just don't have the determination! Someone want to share some of theirs with me? ;)

I think you can have it all, Reno!! You don't have to miss out on the nice weather and doing fun things in order to start studying for your CCRN. What materials do you have? How do you like to learn? Perhaps you could make some flash cards and then take them with you. You could listen to CD's in your car... A little every day will win the race...

You can do it!!!:yeah::yeah::yeah:

:anpom::anpom::anpom:

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