RNC-NIC Cardio EXAM PREP
RNC-NIC CARDIO EXAM PREP LATEST 2025/2026 ACTUAL
EXAM COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS- ACE YOUR EXAM
DESCRIPTION
This RNC-NIC Cardio portion focuses on advanced neonatal cardiovascular
assessment, interpretation, and management of both congenital and acquired
cardiac conditions in the NICU. This exam evaluates your ability to apply
physiology, recognize clinical patterns, interpret diagnostic findings, and make safe
nursing and clinical decisions for critically ill neonates. Content includes fetal-to-
neonatal circulatory transition, congenital heart defects, ductal-dependent lesions,
persistent pulmonary hypertension, shock states, cardiac output regulation,
hemodynamic monitoring, pharmacologic interventions (e.g., prostaglandins,
inotropes), cardiac murmurs, ECG and echo basics, and post-operative cardiac
care. Questions emphasize critical thinking, not memorization—exactly how the
RNC-NIC exam tests you.
This 200-question prep exam:
• Is application-based (scenario-driven like the real test)
• Focuses on must-tested RNC-NIC Cardio topics
• Provides correct answer + rationale immediately below each question
• Mimics RNC-NIC testing style difficulty
1|Page
, RNC-NIC Cardio EXAM PREP
1. A term neonate develops cyanosis that does not improve with oxygen
administration. Which condition is MOST likely?
a) Transient tachypnea of the newborn
b) Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
c) Hypoglycemia
d) Neonatal sepsis
Correct Answer: b)
Rationale:Cyanosis unresponsive to oxygen strongly suggests right-to-left
shunting, which is classic in PPHN due to elevated pulmonary vascular resistance.
2. Which cardiac defect is considered ductal-dependent for systemic circulation?
a) Atrial septal defect
b) Coarctation of the aorta
c) Ventricular septal defect
d) Patent foramen ovale
Correct Answer: b)
Rationale:Severe coarctation relies on a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) to provide
blood flow to the lower body.
3. The MOST important initial nursing action for a neonate suspected of having a
ductal-dependent lesion is to prepare for:
a) Diuretic therapy
b) Immediate intubation
c) Prostaglandin E1 infusion
d) Fluid restriction
Correct Answer: c)
Rationale:Prostaglandin E1 maintains ductal patency and is lifesaving in ductal-
dependent cardiac lesions.
2|Page
, RNC-NIC Cardio EXAM PREP
4. Which finding best differentiates cardiac from respiratory causes of neonatal
cyanosis?
a) Presence of tachypnea
b) Poor feeding
c) Failure to respond to oxygen
d) Chest retractions
Correct Answer: c)
Rationale:Cardiac cyanosis typically does not improve with oxygen, unlike
respiratory causes.
5. In hypoplastic left heart syndrome, systemic circulation is dependent on:
a) Foramen ovale
b) Pulmonary veins
c) Ductus arteriosus
d) Coronary arteries
Correct Answer: c)
Rationale:The ductus arteriosus supplies systemic blood flow because the left
ventricle is underdeveloped.
6. A loud single second heart sound (S2) is MOST associated with which condition?
a) Ventricular septal defect
b) Patent ductus arteriosus
c) Transposition of the great arteries
d) Tetralogy of Fallot
Correct Answer: c)
Rationale:In TGA, the aorta is anterior, producing a single loud S2.
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, RNC-NIC Cardio EXAM PREP
7. Which assessment finding is MOST concerning in a neonate with a known
cardiac defect?
a) Mild tachycardia
b) Delayed capillary refill
c) Soft systolic murmur
d) Intermittent desaturations
Correct Answer: b)
Rationale:Delayed capillary refill indicates poor perfusion and possible shock.
8. Which medication reduces pulmonary vascular resistance in PPHN?
a) Dopamine
b) Indomethacin
c) Inhaled nitric oxide
d) Prostaglandin E1
Correct Answer: c)
Rationale:Inhaled nitric oxide selectively vasodilates pulmonary vessels, improving
oxygenation.
9. A neonate with Tetralogy of Fallot becomes acutely cyanotic. The priority
nursing intervention is to:
a) Administer diuretics
b) Place the infant in knee-chest position
c) Begin phototherapy
d) Restrict fluids
Correct Answer: b)
Rationale:Knee-chest positioning increases systemic vascular resistance, reducing
right-to-left shunting.
4|Page
RNC-NIC CARDIO EXAM PREP LATEST 2025/2026 ACTUAL
EXAM COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS- ACE YOUR EXAM
DESCRIPTION
This RNC-NIC Cardio portion focuses on advanced neonatal cardiovascular
assessment, interpretation, and management of both congenital and acquired
cardiac conditions in the NICU. This exam evaluates your ability to apply
physiology, recognize clinical patterns, interpret diagnostic findings, and make safe
nursing and clinical decisions for critically ill neonates. Content includes fetal-to-
neonatal circulatory transition, congenital heart defects, ductal-dependent lesions,
persistent pulmonary hypertension, shock states, cardiac output regulation,
hemodynamic monitoring, pharmacologic interventions (e.g., prostaglandins,
inotropes), cardiac murmurs, ECG and echo basics, and post-operative cardiac
care. Questions emphasize critical thinking, not memorization—exactly how the
RNC-NIC exam tests you.
This 200-question prep exam:
• Is application-based (scenario-driven like the real test)
• Focuses on must-tested RNC-NIC Cardio topics
• Provides correct answer + rationale immediately below each question
• Mimics RNC-NIC testing style difficulty
1|Page
, RNC-NIC Cardio EXAM PREP
1. A term neonate develops cyanosis that does not improve with oxygen
administration. Which condition is MOST likely?
a) Transient tachypnea of the newborn
b) Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
c) Hypoglycemia
d) Neonatal sepsis
Correct Answer: b)
Rationale:Cyanosis unresponsive to oxygen strongly suggests right-to-left
shunting, which is classic in PPHN due to elevated pulmonary vascular resistance.
2. Which cardiac defect is considered ductal-dependent for systemic circulation?
a) Atrial septal defect
b) Coarctation of the aorta
c) Ventricular septal defect
d) Patent foramen ovale
Correct Answer: b)
Rationale:Severe coarctation relies on a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) to provide
blood flow to the lower body.
3. The MOST important initial nursing action for a neonate suspected of having a
ductal-dependent lesion is to prepare for:
a) Diuretic therapy
b) Immediate intubation
c) Prostaglandin E1 infusion
d) Fluid restriction
Correct Answer: c)
Rationale:Prostaglandin E1 maintains ductal patency and is lifesaving in ductal-
dependent cardiac lesions.
2|Page
, RNC-NIC Cardio EXAM PREP
4. Which finding best differentiates cardiac from respiratory causes of neonatal
cyanosis?
a) Presence of tachypnea
b) Poor feeding
c) Failure to respond to oxygen
d) Chest retractions
Correct Answer: c)
Rationale:Cardiac cyanosis typically does not improve with oxygen, unlike
respiratory causes.
5. In hypoplastic left heart syndrome, systemic circulation is dependent on:
a) Foramen ovale
b) Pulmonary veins
c) Ductus arteriosus
d) Coronary arteries
Correct Answer: c)
Rationale:The ductus arteriosus supplies systemic blood flow because the left
ventricle is underdeveloped.
6. A loud single second heart sound (S2) is MOST associated with which condition?
a) Ventricular septal defect
b) Patent ductus arteriosus
c) Transposition of the great arteries
d) Tetralogy of Fallot
Correct Answer: c)
Rationale:In TGA, the aorta is anterior, producing a single loud S2.
3|Page
, RNC-NIC Cardio EXAM PREP
7. Which assessment finding is MOST concerning in a neonate with a known
cardiac defect?
a) Mild tachycardia
b) Delayed capillary refill
c) Soft systolic murmur
d) Intermittent desaturations
Correct Answer: b)
Rationale:Delayed capillary refill indicates poor perfusion and possible shock.
8. Which medication reduces pulmonary vascular resistance in PPHN?
a) Dopamine
b) Indomethacin
c) Inhaled nitric oxide
d) Prostaglandin E1
Correct Answer: c)
Rationale:Inhaled nitric oxide selectively vasodilates pulmonary vessels, improving
oxygenation.
9. A neonate with Tetralogy of Fallot becomes acutely cyanotic. The priority
nursing intervention is to:
a) Administer diuretics
b) Place the infant in knee-chest position
c) Begin phototherapy
d) Restrict fluids
Correct Answer: b)
Rationale:Knee-chest positioning increases systemic vascular resistance, reducing
right-to-left shunting.
4|Page
