CNA Cardiovascular Nursing (CCN(C)) study guide
CNA Cardiovascular Nursing (CCN(C)) · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified Cardiovascular Nurse credential - CCN(C) - is a Canadian specialty certification for registered nurses who work with patients living with cardiac and vascular disease. It signals that a nurse has moved beyond generalist practice: that they can interpret a 12-lead ECG, reason through hemodynamic data, anticipate decompensation, titrate vasoactive infusions safely, and teach a patient to manage heart failure at home. The CNA Cardiovascular Nursing (CCN(C)) study guide has 10 sections and about 2,409 words.
01Cardiovascular Assessment: History, Physical Examination, Hemodynamic Monitoring and Diagnostic Testing
Start with the history: chest discomfort (onset, provocation, quality, radiation, severity, timing), dyspnea, palpitations, syncope, edema, claudication, and risk factors. Ask about medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
270 words, about 1 min02Dysrhythmias and Conduction Disturbances: Recognition, Monitoring and Nursing Management
Use a systematic ECG approach: rate, rhythm, P waves, PR interval, QRS width, and P-to-QRS relationship. Regular narrow-complex tachycardias include sinus tachycardia, SVT, and atrial flutter with fixed block; irregular narrow-complex rhythms suggest atrial fibrillation, multifocal atrial tachycardia, or variable block.
252 words, about 1 min03Coronary Artery Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes: Assessment, Reperfusion and Secondary Prevention
Stable angina is predictable exertional chest pressure relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. Acute coronary syndrome includes unstable angina, NSTEMI, and STEMI.
278 words, about 1 min04Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies: Acute and Chronic Management, Devices and Self-Care Support
Heart failure is a syndrome of congestion or low perfusion due to impaired filling or ejection. HFrEF has reduced ejection fraction; HFpEF has preserved ejection fraction with diastolic dysfunction.
257 words, about 1 min05Valvular, Structural and Congenital Heart Disease Across the Lifespan
Stenosis obstructs forward flow; regurgitation causes volume overload. Aortic stenosis produces a crescendo-decrescendo systolic murmur at the right upper sternal border radiating to the carotids, with angina, syncope, or dyspnea.
229 words, about 1 min06Vascular Disorders: Arterial, Venous, Aortic and Thromboembolic Conditions
Peripheral artery disease causes claudication, rest pain, hair loss, shiny skin, and weak pulses. Critical limb ischemia causes rest pain, ulcers, or gangrene.
245 words, about 1 min07Cardiovascular Pharmacology: Antiplatelets, Anticoagulants, Antiarrhythmics, Vasoactive and Lipid-Lowering Agents
Aspirin irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase; P2Y12 inhibitors prevent ADP-mediated activation. Dual therapy is common after PCI.
236 words, about 1 min08Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology and Cardiac Surgery: Peri-Procedural Nursing Care
Verify consent, allergies, renal function, anticoagulation, and fasting status. Mark distal pulses and document baseline neurovascular status.
223 words, about 1 min09Health Promotion, Risk Reduction, Patient Education and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
Cardiovascular risk is modifiable through smoking cessation, blood pressure control, lipid management, glucose control, physical activity, weight management, and a Mediterranean-style diet. Address sleep, stress, depression, and social determinants.
202 words, about 1 min10Professional Practice, Ethics, Leadership, Teamwork and Evidence-Informed Practice
Know your scope of practice, delegation rules, and chain of command. RNs cannot delegate assessment, teaching, evaluation, or clinical judgment to unlicensed assistive personnel.
217 words, about 1 min