Types of Questions on the CPNRE

Published

Hello All,

I was hoping to get some clarification on the TYPES of questions I can expect to encounter on the CPNRE. I know from taking the prep exams that everything is multiple choice, but I'm wondering more about how the types of questions are weighted.

I've heard rumour that the exams are weighted heavily on TWO topics of study instead of testing our overall knowledge of nursing as a whole. For example, the grad who addressed my PN class told us that her exam consisted of mostly Paeds and Mental Health questions, with next to no questions on med/surg, professional development, or medications.

I'm really hoping that this information was false as it seems odd not to base our registration qualifications on nursing as a whole. I would expect the 200 questions to be equally weighted on all areas of study.

If anyone can shed some light on this issue for me, I'd really appreciate it!

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

CPNRE is a constantly changing exam. The year I wrote it was still an eight hour exam.

I remember peds and IV fluids being prominent.

A coworker wrote the exam after mine and had minimal content on peds and IV issues but a huge amount on ethics.

There are always trial questions that are discarded and you have no way of knowing which ones will be tossed.

Best thing to do is just study what is your weakest areas.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Mine was heavy on maternity/child and blood administration and therapeutic communication. They don't usually touch on meds.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have some memory of math type questions relating to meds. Give 40 mg of Lasix, only have 5mg on hand, pick right answer from multiple choice.

nothing major

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion