Pass CCRN! : Second Edition

By Robin Donohoe Dennison

Book Overview

Dennison: Pass CCRN is an essential resource for nurses preparing to take the Critical Care Nursing Certification Exam administered by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). The book presents a review ofcritical care nursing followed by practice questions and answers designed to prepare nurses to earn AACN certification (or renew AACN certification) by passing the required exam. Pass CCRN uses an outline format to present content review and includes learning activities within each chapter that employ multiple choice, comparison, and elimination questions to help the user test their content knowledge.
The book also includes two 200-item practice exams. The exams are included on the CD-ROM in the back of the book, hence users are able to gain experience taking the exam on computer, as it is administered by the AACN. The practice exams are in the same format as CCRN certification exam so the format will be familiar to the nurse when he/she takes the certification exam. The information on the practice exam is based on the latest blueprint (Fall 1998) of the AACN Curriculum; all other competing books have published before the new blueprint was available, thus giving our book the competitive advantage. Additional practice questions to accompany each chapter are also included on the CD-ROM. The correct answer, with rationale, is provided for the practice questions, as well as unique test-taking strategy feedback.
Also new to this edition is Chapter 13, Professional Care and Ethical Practice, which incorporates the newest module on the certification exam, and comprises 20% of the total score. The content in the cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurologic chapters have been divided into two discreet chapters, Concepts and Conditions, in order to facilitate review of this complex material. The revision of the text also includes the addition of new illustrations, practice questions, and one additional practice exam.( UNIQUE)Easy-to-follow outline format quickly and clearly delineates the content a nurse must know to pass the CCRN examContent is organized by body system to facilitate review of related concepts and questionsPractice questions include case studies, followed by questions with answers so that the nurse can assess his/her clinical decision-making skillsLearning activities provide fun and stimulating ways to learn critical conceptsRationales and test-taking tips for answers enhance understanding and mastery of materialNumerous figures, tables, and line drawings enhance the review processAppendices on critical care pharmacology, laboratory values, and formulas that are invaluable for review and reference( UNIQUE)Two practice exams on CD-ROM with 200 questions each help in evaluation of final performanceNew learning activities to help facilitate study of critical care nursing elementsUpdated illustration programUpdated case studies with more clinical reasoning/clinical decision-making questionsNew chapter on Professional Care and Ethical Practicethe newest module on the CCRN certification exam

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0323009999
• ISBN13: 9780323009997
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: Mosby
• Length: 816 Pages
• Weight: 3.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.3" x 1.3" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Excellent study guide for CCRN

I've read them all..."Pass CCRN" is the best review book on the market! It is well organized and easy to use. The content is presented with more depth than most outline-based review books. In addition, the enclosed CD of computer-based questions is a wonderful addition. Certification is best achieved by using more than one book or product. However, if you can only afford one, get "Pass CCRN." It has the most to offer. For best results: use the CD and practice the questions, go back to the text for review, and apply the concepts at work.

Pass CCRN -- excellent

I just passed my CCRN with solely the review of this book and CD-ROM. This book is all you need. I took a review course and it was completely uninformative. This book is all you need!! It is excellent. I can't explain the Gratitude I feel for this study guide, and I highly recommend this book and CD-ROM. Study this and you WILL pass. Also recommend the Laura Gesparos tapes.

Pass CCRN - ROBIN DONOHOE

THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT! I USED THIS BOOK TO PASS CCRN FIVE YEARS AGO. I STILL USE IT FOR REFERENCE! IT IS WELL ORGANIZED AND PERFECT.

Comparative Review: Ahrens, Dennison, Dubin, Vonfrolio

Nursing education, like that of any profession, has a half life, and with scientific advances occurring at an exponential rate, that half life is growing shorter with each passing year. No where is this more evident than in intensive care. As an older nurse listening to the new grads, I realize this over and over. While experience has taught me the "hows" and "whens" of many events, procedures, treatments, etc., even in a teaching hospital it has not necessarily taught me the "whys" of things, which makes it difficult to predict and to prevent negative outcomes. The education which was adequate in the time in which it was received may be woefully inadequate in today's modern ICU, and with nursing shortages approaching critical mass, older nurses will and probably should be encouraged to remain in their practice. While taking the CCRN exam may not improve the situation, studying for it certainly will. Since I received my license, I have attempted to periodically review some aspect of my profession: chemistry, A & P, nutrition, pharmacology, etc. The CCRN exam books have been a wonderful source of ICU specific information, and over the years I've purchased several of them. Each author has his/her own format which trains the student along certain pathways. Using more than one has helped me a lot. For strips and 12-leads, I've relied on the Rapid Interpretation of EKG's by Dr Dale Dubin. I purchased my first copy in the 1970s, when it first came out, and recently bought the new volume for the new information it contains. As an SICU nurse, I don't do more than simple monitor work, so my knowledge of the fine points is limited and requires periodic review. (I'm in total awe of CCU nurses; to me they seem almost psychic!) Among the three CCRN review books I've read recently (Critical Care Examination REVIEW, Vonfrolio and Noone; Critical Care Certification, Ahrens and Prentice; and Pass CCRN, Dennison) each has its points. The Vonfrolio book is quick, direct, and compact. Among others, it has 187 questions dedicated to CV alone, and 135 to pulmonary. With these two areas the core of the Exam and certainly core to ICU, it provides a good work out. The plus with this text, is that it provides a good run down of why the right answer is right and the wrong answers wrong. It helps one think the problem through the way one would at the bedside. There are no "answers in the back" of ICU! What this book lacks, however, is a review of A & P. The Ahrens book and the Dennison volume do provide it. I found the review of A & P in Pass CCRN almost daunting, however, because it's in outline form. It packs in massive amounts of information over a few pages. One tends to scan rather than read it. The exercises in the book are excellent, helping one think about principles rather than "answers," increasing knowledge base through thought processes rather than pt specific information. I found the crossword puzzles less useful to me and passed

Excellent resource for the crtical care nurse!

This book is a excellent resource for the critical care nurse. The author covers all body systems with depth and detail. Whether you are serious about taking the CCRN examination, or need a good critical care reference "Pass CCRN " is the book to purchase. This book will assist you in sharpening your skills and modify your clinical practice. I have had the opportunity of participating in several of the authors lectures. Ms. Dennison is constantly researching current practice issues and updating her lecture material to reflect the ever changing health care field. Make an effort to hear the author if she is ever in your area.