CEN Question Bank

Pass your Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) exam on the first try.

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Trusted by healthcare professionals at top institutions like
Boston Children's Hospital
Optum
Scripps
Baylor Scott & White
Atrium Health
Providence
UR Medicine
WVU Medicine
KU Medical center
Unity point health
AuthoraCare
Lightways
Advocate Health
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Hackensack Meridian Health
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Beth Israel Lahey Health
UPMC
UNC Health
Boston Children's Hospital
Optum
Scripps
Baylor Scott & White
Atrium Health
Providence
UR Medicine
WVU Medicine
KU Medical center
Unity point health
AuthoraCare
Lightways
Advocate Health
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Hackensack Meridian Health
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Beth Israel Lahey Health
UPMC
UNC Health
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Join a community of dedicated nursing professionals achieving certification and transforming patient care.

1500+
Questions in CEN Question Bank
4
CEN simulation exams that gauge exam readiness
100%
Questions follow CEN blueprint
96%
Avg pass rate for those who complete the whole course

Exam Sections Covered in BoardCerts
CEN Question Bank

Comprehensive coverage of all exam domains with detailed topic breakdowns to ensure your success.

SECTION 1

Cardiovascular Emergencies

  • Acute coronary syndrome, Aneurysm and dissection, Cardiopulmonary arrest, Dysrhythmias, Endocarditis, Heart failure, Hypertension, Pericardial tamponade, Pericarditis, Peripheral vascular disease, Thromboembolic disease (e.g., deep vein thrombosis [DVT]), Cardiovascular trauma, Cardiogenic shock and obstructive shock
Exam blueprint areas coveredCEN
SECTION 2

Respiratory Emergencies

  • Aspiration, Asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Infections, Inhalation injuries, Obstruction, Pleural effusion, Pneumothorax, Noncardiac pulmonary edema, Pulmonary embolus, Respiratory distress syndrome, Respiratory trauma, Pulmonary hypertension
Exam blueprint areas coveredCEN
SECTION 3

Neurological Emergencies

  • Neurological disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome), Headache (e.g., temporal arteritis, migraine), Increased intracranial pressure (ICP), Meningitis, Seizure disorders, Stroke, Transient ischemic attack (TIA), Head and spinal cord trauma, Neurogenic shock
Exam blueprint areas coveredCEN
SECTION 4

Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Gynecology, and Obstetrical

  • Gastrointestinal: Acute abdomen, Appendicitis, Peritonitis, Bowel perforation, Cyclic vomiting syndrome, Bleeding, Cholecystitis, Cirrhosis, Diverticulitis, Esophageal varices, Foreign bodies, Hepatitis, Intussusception, Obstructions, Pancreatitis, Gastrointestinal trauma. Genitourinary: Genitourinary infections, Priapism, Renal calculi, Testicular torsion, Genitourinary trauma, Urinary retention. Gynecology: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, Gynecological infections, Ovarian disorders (e.g., cyst, torsion, rupture), Sexual assault and battery, Gynecological trauma. Obstetrical: Abruptio placenta, Ectopic pregnancy, Emergent delivery, Hemorrhage (e.g., postpartum bleeding), Hyperemesis gravidarum, Neonatal resuscitation, Placenta previa, Postpartum infection, Preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome, Preterm labor, Threatened/spontaneous abortion, Obstetric trauma
Exam blueprint areas coveredCEN
SECTION 5

Mental Health Emergencies

  • Aggressive and violent behavior, Anxiety disorders (e.g., PTSD, anxiety, panic attack), Mood disorders (e.g., bipolar, depression), Homicidal and suicidal ideation, Thought disorders (e.g., psychosis, schizophrenia), Situational crisis (e.g., terminal diagnosis, job loss, relationship issues, unexpected death), Intentional overdose and ingestions
Exam blueprint areas coveredCEN
SECTION 6

Medical Emergencies

  • Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, Hematologic disorders, Electrolyte and fluid imbalance, Endocrine disorders, Immunocompromise (e.g., HIV/AIDS, oncology/chemotherapy, transplant patient), Renal failure, Sepsis, Hypovolemic and distributive shock, Substance use and abuse (e.g., alcohol and drug interactions, side effects, unintentional overdose), Withdrawal syndrome
Exam blueprint areas coveredCEN
SECTION 7

Musculoskeletal and Wound Emergencies

  • Musculoskeletal: Amputation, Compartment syndrome, Ligament tendon injuries (e.g., sprains, strains, ruptures), Fractures (e.g., open, closed, fat embolus), Dislocations, Inflammatory conditions (e.g., costochondritis), Osteomyelitis. Wound: Avulsions and degloving injuries, Wound infections, Injection injuries (e.g., grease gun, paint gun), Lacerations, Penetrating injuries (e.g., guns, nail guns), Wound bleeding (e.g., uncontrolled external hemorrhage)
Exam blueprint areas coveredCEN
SECTION 8

Maxillofacial and Ocular Emergencies

  • Maxillofacial: Abscess (e.g., peritonsillar, dental), Epistaxis, Facial nerve disorders (e.g., Bell's palsy, trigeminal neuralgia), Maxillofacial infections (e.g., Ludwig's angina, otitis, sinusitis, mastoiditis), Acute vestibular dysfunction (e.g., labyrinthitis, Ménière's disease), Maxillofacial trauma. Ocular: Abrasions, Burns, Foreign bodies, Increased intraocular pressure, Ocular infections (e.g., conjunctivitis, iritis), Retinal artery occlusion, Retinal detachment, Ocular trauma (e.g., hyphema, laceration, globe rupture), Ulcerations and keratitis
Exam blueprint areas coveredCEN
SECTION 9

Environment and Toxicology Emergencies, and Communicable Diseases

  • Environment: Burns, Chemical exposure (e.g., organophosphates, cleaning agents), Electrical injuries, Envenomation emergencies, Submersion injury, Temperature-related emergencies, Animal bites (e.g., rabies, infection). Toxicology: Acids and alkalis, Carbon monoxide, Cyanide. Communicable Diseases: C. Difficile, Vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., measles, mumps, pertussis, chicken pox, diphtheria), Influenza, Multi-drug resistant organisms (e.g., MRSA, VRE), Tuberculosis, Hemorrhagic fevers
Exam blueprint areas coveredCEN
SECTION 10

Professional Issues

  • Nurse: Ethical dilemmas, Evidence-based practice, Lifelong learning, Impaired nurse and drug diversion, Workplace violence, Stress management (e.g., burnout, compassion fatigue, PTSD), Just Culture. Patient: Discharge planning, End-of-life and Palliative Care (e.g., organ and tissue donation, advance directives, care withholding, family presence), Forensic evidence collection, Pain management and procedural sedation, Patient safety, Patient satisfaction, Transfer and stabilization, Transitions of care, Cultural considerations (e.g., interpretive services, privacy, decision making), Abuse and neglect, Human trafficking, Gender equity (e.g., inclusion, gender transition). System: Delegation of tasks to assistive personnel, Disaster management, Mass casualty, Federal regulations (e.g., HIPAA, EMTALA), Patient consent for treatment, Performance and process improvement, Risk management, Symptom surveillance (e.g., mandatory reporting of diseases, symptom clusters). Triage
Exam blueprint areas coveredCEN
Hospitals hiring certified nurses
Mount Sinai
Massachusetts General Hospital
Hopkins Medicine
Huston Methodist
Penn Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
Cedars Sinai
Stanford Healthcare
Northwell Health
UCLA Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center
Mount Sinai
Massachusetts General Hospital
Hopkins Medicine
Huston Methodist
Penn Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
Cedars Sinai
Stanford Healthcare
Northwell Health
UCLA Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center
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Comprehensive Exam Information

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CEN Exam Information
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Resources and Preparation

Access CEN information covering essential topics and strategies to excel on the exam.

CEN Additional Resources
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CEN Question Bank

What's included

Access to blueprint aligned practice questions (QBank)
Access to retention focused flashcards
4 timed simulation exams
Personalised study planner to manage your schedule
Ask AI for hints, explanations, and detailed solutions for every question
Detailed analytics highlighting strengths and weaknesses
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What nurses are saying about BoardCerts

Reviews from nurses across our community (designation and platform shown when provided).

Amy Schaar

RN, CEN

Emergency Department

"I found this platform incredibly helpful. The bookmark feature, hints during practice tests, and well-structured flashcards make studying much more effective and less stressful. It’s especially great for managing test anxiety, as it guides you to think through questions clearly. I only wish I had this when preparing for my CEN exam. I would definitely recommend it to other nurses pursuing board certifications."

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Kalli Knight

RN

School Nursing

"I had a lot of fun exploring this app—it’s very easy to use and gives clear guidance on where to start, which makes studying much less overwhelming. The predictor exams, customizable quizzes, and ability to revisit incorrect questions were especially helpful for improving understanding. The question bank felt very real-world and is particularly valuable for school nurses, helping build confidence in areas you may not have learned in nursing school."

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Briana Kesselring

MSN, CRNP, CNOR

Operating Room

"I was really impressed with the platform. It offers a variety of tools for different learning styles, and the lectures are clear, informative, and easy to follow. The ability to switch between quiz questions and flashcards makes learning quick and effective. I learned a lot in a short time and would highly recommend this product"

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Charity Adaobi Nwodo

RN, BSN

Pediatrics

"I really appreciate how well-structured the platform is, from the flashcards to the question bank, making it easy to navigate and focus on specific topics. The user-friendly interface and clear explanations help reinforce understanding and support quick recall of clinical knowledge. I would definitely recommend this product for both exam preparation and ongoing learning."

Read More from Charity Adaobi Nwodo

Victoria

RN, BSN

NICU

"I really liked the flashcards and how I could focus on specific topics, making it easier to understand what each question is asking. The predictor exams and analytics are especially helpful in showing where I need improvement, so I can study more efficiently. Features like notes, study planner, and hints make the whole experience very effective—I definitely feel like it does the job"

Read More from Victoria

Frequently
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Your questions answered - all you need to know to prepare and pass the CEN exam.

The CEN Question Bank provides a comprehensive collection of expertly crafted practice questions, detailed explanations, and reliable references—all aligned with the official CEN exam blueprint. This ensures thorough preparation and boosts confidence for exam success.