Progressive Care Nursing Certification: Preparation, Review, and Practice Exams

Market/Audience5,000 RNs took the PCCN exam in 2011, with just over 8,000 presently certified to date. Certification began in 2004 and there's a 3 year renewal cycle. According to information from AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, which administers the exam) and ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center, which grants magnet status to hospitals), the annual number of nurses taking the exam should continue to increase each year, and should eventually be about two-thirds the number of annual CCRN test-takers (13,000 nurses took the CCRN exam in 2011, with a total of 59,392 certified to date). So the expectation is that the number of nurses taking the PCCN exam each year should double to 10,000 in the next two to three years. There is a large population of Progressive Care nurses who will have to be certified, as hospitals and nursing organizations, led by the American Nurses Association, require hosptitals to have certified nurses in every department. As with the CCRN, nurses will have to be recertified every three years, either by retaking the test, or CME credits.

Preface
Test-Taking Tips

PART I: CARDIOVASCULAR

1. Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology

2. Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders

3. The Normal ECG

4. The 12-Lead ECG

5. Hemodynamic Monitoring

6. Acute Coronary Syndrome (Angina Pectoris and Myocardial Infarction)

7. Conduction Blocks

8. Congestive Heart Failure, Pulmonary Edema, and Hypertensive Crisis

9. Cardiogenic Shock

10. Hemorrhagic (Hypovolemic) Shock

11. Interpreting Dysrhythmias

12. Cardiomyopathies and Pericarditis

13. Treatment of Cardiac, Valvular, and Vascular Insufficiency, and Trauma

PART I: Cardiovascular Practice Exam

PART II: PULMONARY

14. Pulmonary Anatomy and Physiology

15. Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Disorders

16. Alternative Methods of Ventilatory Support

17. Acute Respiratory Dysfunction

18. Acute Pulmonary Embolism and Aspiration

19. Thoracic Trauma and Air-Leak Syndromes

PART II: Pulmonary Practice Exam

PART III: ENDOCRINE

20. Introduction to the Endocrine System

21. Anatomy, Physiology, and Dysfunction of the Pituitary Gland

22. Anatomy, Physiology, and Dysfunction of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands

23. Anatomy, Physiology, and Dysfunction of the Pancreas

24. Anatomy, Physiology, and Dysfunction of the Adrenal Glands

PART III: Endocrine Practice Exam

PART IV: IMMUNOLOGY AND HEMATOLOGY

25. Physiology of the Immunologic and Hematologic Systems

26. Diagnosis and Treatment of Immunologic and Hematologic Problems

27. Hematologic and Immunologic Failure and Its Effects on Other Organ Systems

28. Organ Transplantation

29. Life-Threatening Coagulopathies

PART IV: Immunology and Hematology Practice Exam

PART V: NEUROLOGY

30. Anatomy and Physiology of the Nervous System

31. Intracranial Pressure

32. Acute Head Injuries and Craniotomies

33. Stroke

34. The Vertebrae and Spinal Cord

35. Encephalopathies and Coma

36. Meningitis, Muscular Dystrophy, and Myasthenia Gravis

37. Seizures and Status Epilepticus

PART V: Neurology Practice Exam

PART VI: GASTROENTEROLOGY

38. Anatomy and Physiology of the Gastrointestinal System

39. Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage and Esophageal Varices

40. Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Hepatic Failure, and Acute Pancreatitis

41. Intestinal Infarction, Obstruction, Perforation, and Trauma

42. Management of the Patient with a Gastrointestinal Disturbance

PART VI: Gastroenterology Practice Exam

PART VII: RENAL

43. Anatomy and Physiology of the Renal System

44. Renal Regulation of Electrolytes

45. Diagnosis and Treatment of Renal Failure

PART VII: Renal Practice Exam

PART VIII: MULTIORGAN PROBLEMS

46. Sepsis and Multiorgan Syndrome

47. Toxic Emergencies

48. Airway Obstruction

49. Burns

PART VIII:

Multiorgan Problems Practice Exam

PART IX: SYNERGY

50. Professional Caring and Ethical Practice

PART IX: Synergy Practice Exam

PART X: BEHAVIOR

51. Behavioral and Psychological Factors in Critical Care

PART X: Behavior Practice Exam

Index


On CD:

COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM-I

COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM-II