CCRN Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CCRN exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CCRN Exam Format at a Glance
150
Questions
180 min
Time Limit
66.00%
Passing Score
📚 CCRN Topics to Study (69)
General Review · 25 cardsAcute Respiratory Failure · 7 cardsAcute Respiratory Failure · 7 cardsAcute Respiratory Failure · 7 cardsAcute Respiratory Failure · 7 cardsCardiac Rhythm Interpretation and Management · 7 cardsCardiac Rhythm Interpretation and Management · 7 cardsCardiac Rhythm Interpretation and Management · 7 cardsCardiovascular Emergencies · 7 cardsCardiovascular Emergencies · 7 cardsCardiovascular Emergencies · 7 cardsCardiovascular Emergencies · 7 cardsEndocrine and Metabolic Crises · 7 cardsEndocrine and Metabolic Crises · 7 cardsEndocrine and Metabolic Crises · 7 cardsEndocrine and Metabolic Crises · 7 cardsGastrointestinal and Renal Care · 7 cardsGastrointestinal and Renal Care · 7 cardsGastrointestinal and Renal Care · 7 cardsGastrointestinal and Renal Care · 7 cardsGeneral Review · 7 cardsGeneral Review · 7 cardsGeneral Review · 7 cardsGeneral Review · 7 cardsHematology and Immunology · 7 cardsHematology and Immunology · 7 cardsHematology and Immunology · 7 cardsHematology and Immunology · 7 cardsHemodynamic Monitoring · 7 cardsHemodynamic Monitoring · 7 cards
✍️ Sample CCRN Questions & Answers
1. To primarily lower an elevated PaCO2 in a volume-controlled ventilated patient, the nurse should anticipate:
✓ Increasing the respiratory rate or tidal volume (minute ventilation)
CO2 elimination depends on minute ventilation, so raising rate or tidal volume lowers PaCO2.
2. Which coagulation abnormality is a hallmark of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in severe sepsis?
✓ Simultaneous bleeding and microvascular thrombosis
DIC produces both clotting and bleeding due to consumption of clotting factors.
3. Nonmaleficence is best demonstrated when a nurse:
✓ Double-checks a high-alert medication dose before administration
Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm, exemplified by preventing medication errors.
4. Which condition causes hypoxemia that does NOT correct with 100% supplemental oxygen?
✓ Intrapulmonary shunt
True shunt allows blood to bypass ventilated alveoli, so it responds poorly to increased FiO2.
5. A target mean arterial pressure (MAP) of at least what value is recommended during septic shock resuscitation?
✓ 65 mmHg
A MAP of at least 65 mmHg is the recommended initial perfusion target.
6. Which class of hemorrhagic shock corresponds to a 30-40% blood volume loss?
✓ Class III
Class III hemorrhage involves 30-40% blood loss with marked tachycardia, hypotension, and altered mental status.
🎯 Free CCRN Practice Tests
General Review · 25 questionsMultisystem Trauma and Shock · 7 questionsEndocrine and Metabolic Crises · 7 questionsEndocrine and Metabolic Crises · 7 questionsEndocrine and Metabolic Crises · 7 questionsEndocrine and Metabolic Crises · 7 questionsMultisystem Trauma and Shock · 7 questionsGastrointestinal and Renal Care · 7 questionsGastrointestinal and Renal Care · 7 questionsMultisystem Trauma and Shock · 7 questions
📖 CCRN Guides & Articles
- Nurse Builders CCRN Review: The Complete Study Guide for Critical Care Certification
- CCRN Adult Exam: Complete Study Guide & Certification Prep Hub
- How to Pass the CCRN Test: Complete Study Guide & Strategy
- Free CCRN Review: Practice Tests, Study Tips & Exam Prep for Critical Care Nurses
- Laura Gasparis CCRN Review: The Complete Study Guide for Critical Care Certification
- CCRN CE Requirements: Complete Guide to Continuing Education for Critical Care Certification
- Barron's CCRN Study Guide: Complete Review for Critical Care Nursing Certification
- PSI CCRN Exam: Complete Training Guide, Requirements & What to Expect
Your CCRN Study Path
1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation
What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for CCRN
An AI chatbot can quiz you, but it can't reproduce the exam conditions or keep your record. Here you get:
- A timed, full-length CCRN mock exam — 150 questions in 180 minutes with a 66% pass mark, modeled on the official exam's question count and time limit, followed by a score report broken down by exam domain.
- A fixed CCRN question bank: the same test every attempt, so your score is comparable from one try to the next instead of changing with every regenerated quiz.
- Progress saved on your device: completed tests, scores and missed questions stay in My Progress, so you can retake only what you got wrong.
- A printable CCRN cheat sheet you can print or save as a PDF.
- CCRN flashcards built from the same question bank.
- Free CCRN practice tests with the correct answer shown after each question.
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