200+ Free PCCN (Adult) Practice Questions
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Key Facts: PCCN (Adult) Exam
150
Total Items
AACN PCCN direct-care handbook (Nov 2025)
125 + 25
Scored + Unscored
AACN PCCN direct-care handbook (Nov 2025)
3h
Exam Time
AACN PCCN direct-care handbook (Nov 2025)
82/125
Passing Cut Score
AACN exam statistics (effective 2024-01-31)
80/20
Clinical Judgment / Professional Caring
AACN PCCN test plan (effective 2024-02-06)
$255/$370
Member / Nonmember Fee
AACN PCCN direct-care handbook (Nov 2025)
AACN's PCCN (Adult) direct-care handbook lists 150 total items (125 scored + 25 unscored) with a 3-hour testing appointment. AACN's PCCN cut score is 82 correct answers out of 125 scored items (effective January 31, 2024). The current test plan framework remains 80% Clinical Judgment and 20% Professional Caring & Ethical Practice, with cardiovascular and multisystem decision-making heavily represented in progressive-care scenarios.
About the PCCN (Adult) Exam
PCCN is AACN's specialty certification for adult progressive care nurses in step-down, telemetry, and intermediate-acuity environments. The exam emphasizes clinical judgment, early deterioration recognition, and professional caring practice.
Questions
150 scored questions
Time Limit
3 hours
Passing Score
82 out of 125 scored items
Exam Fee
$255 AACN members / $370 non-members (AACN Certification Corporation / PSI)
PCCN (Adult) Exam Content Outline
Cardiovascular
Perfusion trends, dysrhythmia priorities, ACS/heart-failure escalation, and step-down hemodynamic surveillance
Respiratory
Oxygenation and ventilation deterioration patterns, ABG interpretation, and progressive-care respiratory escalation
Endocrine/Hematology/Immunology/Oncology/Neurology/GI/Renal
Cross-system instability, metabolic derangements, neurologic changes, and renal/GI complication response priorities
Musculoskeletal/Multisystem/Behavioral-Psychosocial
Mobility-risk safety, sepsis/multiorgan progression, and behavioral-psychosocial nursing judgment in intermediate-acuity care
Professional Caring & Ethical Practice
Advocacy, moral agency, systems thinking, collaboration, diversity, and end-of-life communication in progressive care
How to Pass the PCCN (Adult) Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 82 out of 125 scored items
- Exam length: 150 questions
- Time limit: 3 hours
- Exam fee: $255 AACN members / $370 non-members
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
PCCN (Adult) Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the PCCN (Adult) exam?
AACN's PCCN direct-care handbook lists 150 total items: 125 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions.
How long is the PCCN exam?
AACN lists a 3-hour testing appointment for the adult PCCN exam.
What score is needed to pass PCCN?
AACN's certification exam statistics page lists the adult PCCN cut score as 82 correct answers out of 125 scored items, effective January 31, 2024.
What are the PCCN test-plan weightings?
AACN's PCCN direct-care test plan uses an 80/20 framework: Clinical Judgment (80%) and Professional Caring & Ethical Practice (20%). Domain weights in the current plan include cardiovascular 20%, respiratory 14%, endocrine/hematology/immunology/oncology/neurology/GI/renal 27%, and musculoskeletal/multisystem/behavioral-psychosocial 20%.
What are PCCN eligibility requirements for direct care hours?
AACN's handbook lists two options: 1) 1,750 RN/APRN direct-care hours with acutely ill adult patients in the previous 2 years (including 875 in the most recent year), or 2) 2,000 hours in the previous 5 years (including 144 in the most recent year).
How much does PCCN certification cost?
AACN's current handbook lists the initial PCCN exam fee as $255 for AACN members and $370 for non-members.
What is the difference between PCCN and CCRN?
PCCN targets progressive-care/intermediate-acuity nursing practice, while CCRN targets acute/critical-care practice. Both exams use AACN's Synergy Model, but question emphasis differs by patient acuity and care setting.