Overview
This lecture explains why CEN exam questions may appear medically focused, emphasizing the collaborative role of emergency nurses in patient care and the exam's expectations.
Exam Question Focus
- Some CEN exam questions seem technical or medically diagnostic in nature.
- Recent revisions of the CEN exam blueprint include more medicine-related content.
- The intent is not to have nurses practice medicine but to demonstrate shared knowledge for quality patient care.
- Exam questions are designed to reflect real-world nurse-provider collaboration in emergencies.
Nurse-Provider Collaboration
- Emergency nurses work closely with providers and share a common knowledge base.
- Nurses are expected to understand and anticipate physician orders, not create them.
- Example: A nurse should know to expect a troponin order for chest pain, not to order it themselves.
Studying for the CEN Exam
- Questions will ask what actions or orders to expect, not what a nurse would independently decide.
- Understanding common orders and treatments helps ensure patient safety and care accuracy.
- The exam evaluates recognition and understanding, not making medical diagnoses or detailed medical decision-making.
Key Terms & Definitions
- CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) Exam — A certification exam for emergency nurses to validate their knowledge and skills.
- Troponin Level — A blood test that helps diagnose heart attacks, often ordered for chest pain.
- BCEN (Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing) — Organization that develops the CEN exam and its blueprint.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Continue practicing with CEN-style questions, focusing on recognizing expected provider actions and orders.
- Review common emergency scenarios and the expected nursing interventions and provider orders.