Pass CCRN! » (3rd Edition)

Critical Care Consultant, Lexington, KY

2007 AJN Book of the Year Award Winner

Pass CCRN(r)! is the ultimate resource for nurses preparing to take the Critical Care Nursing Certification Examination. This book contains a review of critical care nursing and practice questions and answers designed to prepare nurses to earn AACN certification (or renew AACN certification) by passing the required exam. Utilizing an outline format and the revised blueprint, published in 2004, for the certification examination, it's the easy to follow, comprehensive and portable, quick-study tool that nurses can take anywhere.

• Easy-to-follow outline format quickly and clearly delineates the essential content nurses must know to pass the CCRN exam.
• Appendixes on normal laboratory values and frequently used formulae are invaluable for review and reference.

• Follows the 2006 AACN exam blueprint with a guide to the new exam printed inside the front cover of the book for quick reference.
• Offers significantly updated content throughout, including new information on abdominal surgery, anemias, beating-heart surgery, enteral feeding, pain management, spiritual aspects of care, and more.
• The completely restructured bound-in CD offers endless practice exams from a bank of over 1,000 questions, self-assessment quizzes by body system or chapter, customizable quizzes with instant feedback on answers with detailed rationales and test-taking strategies.
• A new chapter on Critical Care Pharmacology provides review of the most common medications.
• Features new illustrations in every chapter to bring the information to life.
• Includes new information on critical carepatients with special needs, to help readers care for bariatric and geriatric patients, high-risk obstetric patients, and others.
• Offers updated case studies to illustrate clinical reasoning and decision-making in realistic situations.
• Offers new Learning Activities in each chapter, including all-new crossword puzzles and many exercises revised to reflect the updated content.
• Includes an in-book study guide to assist with preparing for the PCCN exam.

Michelle Stofflet

This comprehensive and detailed study manual is geared to the critical care nurse preparing for the Critical Care Certification Examination for Registered Nurses (CCRN). The testing section at the end of each chapter is unique due to the variety of exercises it offers, such as crossword puzzles, fill-in charts, and practice multiple choice questions. The purpose is to offer a complete, focused review intended for registered nurses planning to take the AACN Certification Exam for Certified Critical Care Practice. The book has thoroughly met the author's objectives. This book is clearly designed for registered nurses who have practiced or are currently practicing within a critical care environment, as it should be. However, the author does not state basic qualifications nurses should possess before studying for this exam. This may be helpful to ensure the consumer has a general understanding of the material presented. The author of this book appears to be a credible authority. This study guide offers a variety of features. The illustrations are thorough yet simplistic, although use of different colors might better enhance detailed diagrams. The table of contents could be much more detailed due to the fact that each section, especially CV, is a book in and of itself. The tables are somewhat of a strain to read due to their small font and lack of titles in large, bold font. The index and references are well organized and very helpful. Finally, the lesson sections are unique in that they are the most interactive teaching exercises this reviewer has encountered in a self-learning manual. This book is a complete and thorough tool for the critical care nurse preparing to take the CCRNexamination. The information is solid and current; however, the layout of several sections is somewhat overwhelming due to outline material, table material, and diagrams appearing on the same page. These particular pages are not user inviting. It becomes difficult to know where to direct attention. Overall, this study guide appears to provide more than enough information to independently aid the critical care nurse preparing to take the CCRN examination.