Customer Reviews

Critical Care Examination Review Revised

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I took my CCRN exam almost 10 years ago, I was told how "difficult" it was and that I would almost certainly have to take an expensive course "just to pass." I was very busy at the time, spare moments for attending classes just wasn't in the program. I decided to reviw on my own and cast about for books that would help me do that. One very similar to this, which I have since given away to another nurse preparing for exams, was what I found the most helpful, and I passed with quite good scores. When I decided to review recently and take the exam again to bring myself up to date, I looked for a similar text. This one is superb. It's based on a programed learning format. It gives the reader a basic amount of information, poses a question, gives a selection of answers--just as does the exam--and provides one the immediate feedback of an answer. (One of my main objections to the CCRN exam when I took it was that it was boring. It seemed to go on forever, and never gave one the satisfaction of learning anything new, because it never provided the answers in this instructive way!) This book also provides the test taker with the rationales for why the correct answer is correct and the incorrect ones are wrong. Always helpful to the learning process. I found the book an excellant way to get current. I was also surprised at how much new information is available and tested, especially in the area of anatomy-phys. It's quite apparent that nurses, especially critical care nurses, are some exceptionally bright and well educated people!

I've had a couple friends review this exam book after they took the test recently (a couple weeks ago), and they all told me the questions are too easy in this book. The actual CCRN questions are worded to confuse you, and the answers you expect to be there aren't there. For example, if a patient has a high potassium, which would you give? In the CCRN, they wouldn't give you some easy choice like keyaxelate or insulin, they'd give you something crazy like sodium polystyrene sulfonate. In the CCRN, they probably wouldn't even mention hyperkalemia. They'd say something like "A patient is on spironolactone and begins to develop dysrhythmias, which of the following would you do?" So it helps to know the rationalization behind the questions in this book, and always know 3 or 4 ways to treating a problem. And when all else fails, rule out each choice as you go along.

I routinely test every three years for the CCRN. This is the only review that I use. Each answer is explained

I originally took (and passed) the CCRN six years ago. At that time I used a prior version of this book to study, but upon taking the exam did not feel that the questions adequately prepared me for the test. Experience and wading through the Core Curiculum got me through. Okay, maybe some luck as well.

Now that I have to recertify by retesting, I thought I would give Vonfrolio another shot. I should not have bothered, and here's why. In many questions the rationales are not adequately explained; there are many questions, like the exam itself, where there are two close answers. Why one is better than the other is frequently not discussed. The ACLS questions seemed a bit odd, such as including Isuprel (I'm an ACLS instructor, and Isuprel has been on the outs for ages). To be fair, I do not know if this is representative of the current CCRN exam, but I found it to not be the case six years ago. I also ran into a few questions which contradict some of my prior education - I need to double check to see who is right, but it happened enough that I am now cautious.

... the CCRN exam is tough - the hardest test I have ever taken. I did not feel that the book's wording or level of misery sufficiently represented the exam. You may well find that this works well in conjunction with another resource. And again, I have not taken the test in six years,so it may well have changed. If that is the case I will reconsider my review and edit it as needed. Her CEN exam was pretty close to the test, but I found the CEN substantially easier than the CCRN, and I was working in ICU at the time!

If you're attempting the exam for the first time, let me wish you luck. If - or rather WHEN - you pass, know that you have accomplished something worthwhile. Good luck!

I love this book. I have passed it on to my friends as well. I used Laura's CCRN review tapes and this book the first time that I took CCRN and passed. Now, I am taking the test again after 6 years and I am using the same material! Great book!

It is a well-known fact that Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio makes sense of that overwhelming mass of information known as critical care. Whether employed in the Pre/Inter-Hospital Enviornment, Emergency Department or Critical Care Unit, a nurse benefits from studying her offerings and attending her seminars. I find the question and answer format an excellent teaching tool, especially with the expanded answer section explaining the rational behind the correct, and incorrect anwers. My only wish is that she would publish a companion CD with the text to practice taking the exam in the new format. A must have for anyone taking the CCRN to do those "mental aerobics" she discusses in preparation for the test. Good luck all! Dori Lawson RN PHRN CEN CFRN

Even thought the book title said CCRN but I used it for my PCCN exam and it works well. I pass with one shot. They are many questions in the book that related to the exam. I recommend any one who will take PCCN but this book and practice the question of it. If you do not understand the explaination for the question go back to your text book or the reliable internet resource for further study. It is small book but very helpful.

If You have the opportunity to watch her tapes... DO... The tapes completely helped me pass my CCRN on the first try!@!!

You can't get much better than this book for the price. I studied solely from this book and passed my CCRN exam with flying colors. Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio is dynamic and well-informed both in person and in her written work. Her text is very easy to understand with complete explanations of why each answer is right or wrong. I couldn't choose a better learning tool for the CCRN exam.

I took the CCRN exam yesterday and I passed it! The book prepared me on how to approach the CCRN exam in a very logical manner. The questions on each system are tough but the explanation behind each answer gives you an insight on each body system and how they interact with each another. I highly recommend this book to anyone who will take the CCRN exam!