AACN CCRN-Adult Practice Exam Questions & Answers
5 Free Questions
· Last reviewed: September 6, 2026
· Prepared & Reviewed by the ValidExamDumps Editorial Team
Exam Facts
AACN CCRN-Adult Exam Details
Key details for this exam, checked against the published exam outline
150
Practice Questions (Our Bank)
180 minutes
Exam Duration
83 out of 125 scored questions
Passing Score
- Exam Code
- CCRN-Adult
- Full Name
- CCRN (Adult) - Direct Care Eligibility Pathway
- Issuing Body
- AACN Certification Corporation
- Question Format (Our Bank)
- Multiple Choice
- Exam Fee
- USD 365 (non-members). USD 250 (AACN members)
- Delivery
- Computer-based at PSI testing centers or via Live Remote Proctoring from home
- Eligibility
- Current unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license required. Must have completed a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients within the last five years. Majority of hours must focus on critically ill patients. Hours must be
- Validity
- 3 years
Practice Questions
Free CCRN-Adult Practice Questions
Each question shows the correct answer and an explanation of why it is right
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Every question and its answer is checked by our CCRN-Adult exam
preparation team, who also write the explanation shown with each one.
How we research and review these pages
For a patient who sustained blunt renal trauma and a crush injury to the leg, monitoring should include observing for
Correct Answer:
B
Explanation
Crush injuries can lead to significant muscle damage and rhabdomyolysis, resulting in the release of intracellular potassium into the bloodstream, causing hyperkalemia. Tall peaked T waves are a classic sign of hyperkalemia, which needs to be closely monitored in these patients. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook and AACN's Certification Review Course materials.
Treatment of cerebral vasospasm includes administration of
Correct Answer:
C
In a patient with status asthmaticus, which of the following indicate a deteriorating condition?
Correct Answer:
B
Explanation
In status asthmaticus, a worsening condition is indicated by increased PaCO2 and decreased expiratory flow. This reflects severe airway obstruction and ventilatory failure, leading to hypercapnia (elevated PaCO2) and a decrease in the ability to exhale effectively. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook and AACN's Certification Review Course materials.
Assessment of a patient admitted with excruciating back pain reveals:
Appropriate therapy should include
Correct Answer:
D
Explanation
The patient's vital signs indicate hypertensive urgency or emergency (BP 190/100, HR 126), with a differential radial pulse, suggesting aortic dissection. Nitroprusside is a potent vasodilator used in the management of hypertensive crises and can help reduce blood pressure and the shear force on the aortic wall, which is crucial in managing aortic dissection. Nitroglycerin, diltiazem, and digoxin are not appropriate first-line therapies for this condition. Reference: AACN Adult CCRN Certification Review Course, AACN CCRN Exam Handbook.
An experienced nurse new to a unit believes the literature does not support current unit practice of a fixed-dose nitroglycerin IV (Tridil) infusion in all postoperative cardiac surgery patients for 24 hours. The nurse develops a proposal referencing peer-reviewed articles. Based on the proposal, unit leaders agree to remove the nitroglycerin IV (Tridil) infusion from the standard order set. The actions taken by the nurse are best described as
Correct Answer:
D
Domain 1: Clinical Judgment
80%
Encompasses five subcategories covering acute cardiovascular conditions (17% of total), respiratory emergencies (15%), endocrine, hematologic, gastrointestinal, renal and skin conditions (20%), musculoskeletal, neurological and behavioral disorders (14%), and multisystem conditions like sepsis, shock states and trauma (14%). Requires integration of pathophysiology knowledge with critical assessment and rapid decision-making across organ systems.
Sample questions from this domain above:
Q1Q3Q4Q5
Domain 2: Professional Caring and Ethical Practice
20%
Tests advocacy, moral agency, caring practices, response to diversity, facilitation of learning, collaboration and clinical inquiry. Focuses on the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care and how critical care nurses integrate evidence-based practice with compassionate patient-centered care, support interdisciplinary teams, and advance the profession through ongoing inquiry.
Sample question from this domain above:
Q2
FAQ
CCRN-Adult Exam FAQ
Common questions about the exam itself
What clinical experience do I need to sit the CCRN-Adult exam?
You must have completed at least 2,000 hours providing direct care to acutely and critically ill adult patients within the last five years. The majority of those hours must focus on critically ill patients. Hours must be verifiable by your clinical supervisor or a professional colleague (RN or physician) and contact information is required in case AACN audits your application.
How is the CCRN-Adult exam scored and what score do I need to pass?
The exam contains 150 total questions: 125 are scored and 25 are unscored items used for statistical data. You must answer a minimum of 83 scored questions correctly to pass. AACN uses a modified Angoff method where panelists set the cut score based on difficulty ratings of each question.
How many times can I retake the CCRN-Adult exam in 12 months?
You may take the CCRN-Adult exam up to four times within a 12-month period. If you do not pass, you are eligible for a discounted retest fee of USD 175 for members or USD 280 for non-members, available until you pass the exam.
Where and how can I take the CCRN-Adult exam?
The exam is computer-based and can be taken at PSI testing centers or through Live Remote Proctoring from your home. PSI administers the exam and locations, dates and scheduling are available on the PSI website. For remote proctoring, you need a quiet space free from distractions and a government-issued ID with photo and signature.
How long is the CCRN-Adult certification valid and what does renewal involve?
Your CCRN-Adult certification is valid for three years. To renew, you must maintain an active RN or APRN license and either pass the exam again or complete 100 Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) through the Synergy CERP program. You also must meet practice hour requirements: 432 hours in direct patient care over three years, with at least 144 hours in the 12 months before your renewal date.
What exam fee do I pay for CCRN-Adult and when is it due?
The exam fee is USD 250 for AACN members or USD 365 for non-members. You pay this fee when you apply online through your AACN account using a credit card, or you can mail a paper application and pay by check. After payment, you receive a confirmation email and can schedule your exam.
What is the difference between CCRN-Adult Direct Care, Tele-critical Care and Knowledge Professional pathways?
All three pathways sit the same exam with the same content and passing score of 83. The Direct Care pathway is for nurses actively providing bedside care to critically ill patients. Tele-critical Care is for nurses providing teleICU care. Knowledge Professional is for nurses in roles such as educator, manager, director or faculty who influence critical care but do not provide direct care. Each has different practice hour requirements for initial certification and renewal.
Is there a time limit to schedule and take the CCRN-Adult exam after I apply?
Yes. After you receive your confirmation email from AACN, you must schedule and sit the exam within 180 days. If you do not test within this window, your application expires and you must reapply and pay the fee again.
How does CCRN-Adult differ from CCRN-K (Adult) and which should I take?
Both exams are identical in content, format and passing score. CCRN-Adult is for nurses with 2,000 hours of direct care in the past five years. CCRN-K (Adult) is for nurses with broader knowledge-focused experience but fewer direct care hours. Choose the pathway that matches your role: if you provide hands-on critical care, take CCRN-Adult. if you influence critical care through teaching, management or research, CCRN-K may be a better fit.
What topics are hardest on the CCRN-Adult exam and how should I prepare?
Candidates often find the Cardiovascular (17% of Clinical Judgment), Respiratory (15%) and Endocrine/Hematologic/GI/Renal sections (20%) most challenging because they require rapid synthesis of complex pathophysiology and clinical decisions. Use your CCRN Exam Handbook test plan to identify weak areas, review AACN's official exam bibliography, and work through practice questions with detailed answer rationales. Expect to spend 3-6 months in focused preparation if you work full-time.
