CARDIOVASCULAR TEST BANK
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026/2027
A nurse assesses a client who is recovering after a left-sided cardiac catheterization.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
a. Urinary output less than intake
b. Bruising at the insertion site
c. Slurred speech and confusion
d. Discomfort in the left leg - CORRECT ANSWER>>>>ANS: C
A left-sided cardiac catheterization specifically increases the risk for a cerebral
vascular accident. A change in neurologic status needs to be acted on immediately.
Discomfort and bruising are expected at the site. If intake decreases, a client can
become dehydrated because of dye excretion. The second intervention would be to
increase the clients fluid status. Neurologic changes would take priority.
A nurse assesses a client who is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Which
assessment should the nurse complete prior to this procedure?
a. Clients level of anxiety
b. Ability to turn self in bed
1
,c. Cardiac rhythm and heart rate
d. Allergies to iodine-based agents - CORRECT ANSWER>>>>ANS: D
Before the procedure, the nurse should ascertain whether the client has an allergy
to iodine-containing preparations, such as seafood or local anesthetics. The
contrast medium used during the procedure is iodine based. This allergy can cause
a life-threatening reaction, so it is a high priority. Second, it is important for the
nurse to assess anxiety, mobility, and baseline cardiac status.
A nurse cares for a client who is prescribed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of
the heart. The clients health history includes a previous myocardial infarction and
pacemaker implantation. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Schedule an electrocardiogram just before the MRI.
b. Notify the health care provider before scheduling the MRI.
c. Call the physician and request a laboratory draw for cardiac enzymes.
d. Instruct the client to increase fluid intake the day before the MRI. - CORRECT
ANSWER>>>>ANS: B
The magnetic fields of the MRI can deactivate the pacemaker. The nurse should
call the health care provider and report that the client has a pacemaker so the
provider can order other diagnostic tests. The client does not need an
electrocardiogram, cardiac enzymes, or increased fluids.
2
,A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a myocardial infarction. The
clients pulmonary artery pressure reading is 25/12 mm Hg. Which action should
the nurse take first?
a. Compare the results with previous pulmonary artery pressure readings.
b. Increase the intravenous fluid rate because these readings are low.
c. Immediately notify the health care provider of the elevated pressures.
d. Document the finding in the clients chart as the only action. - CORRECT
ANSWER>>>>ANS: A
Normal pulmonary artery pressures range from 15 to 26 mm Hg for systolic and
from 5 to 15 mm Hg for diastolic. Although this clients readings are within normal
limits, the nurse needs to assess any trends that may indicate a need for medical
treatment to prevent complications. There is no need to increase intravenous fluids
or notify the provider.
A nurse cares for a client who has an 80% blockage of the right coronary artery
(RCA) and is scheduled for bypass surgery. Which intervention should the nurse be
prepared to implement while this client waits for surgery?
a. Administration of IV furosemide (Lasix)
b. Initiation of an external pacemaker
c. Assistance with endotracheal intubation
d. Placement of central venous access - CORRECT ANSWER>>>>ANS: B
3
, The RCA supplies the right atrium, the right ventricle, the inferior portion of the
left ventricle, and the atrioventricular (AV) node. It also supplies the sinoatrial node
in 50% of people. If the client totally occludes the RCA, the AV node would not
function and the client would go into heart block, so emergency pacing should be
available for the client. Furosemide, intubation, and central venous access will not
address the primary complication of RCA occlusion, which is AV node malfunction.
A nurse teaches a client with diabetes mellitus and a body mass index of 42 who is
at high risk for coronary artery disease. Which statement related to nutrition should
the nurse include in this clients teaching?
a. The best way to lose weight is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.
b. You should balance weight loss with consuming necessary nutrients.
c. A nutritionist will provide you with information about your new diet.
d. If you exercise more frequently, you wont need to change your diet. -
CORRECT ANSWER>>>>ANS: B
Clients at risk for cardiovascular diseases should follow the American Heart
Association guidelines to combat obesity and improve cardiac health. The nurse
should encourage the client to eat vegetables, fruits, unrefined whole-grain
products, and fat-free dairy products while losing weight. High-protein food items
are often high in fat and calories. Although the nutritionist can assist with client
education, the nurse should include nutrition education and assist the client to
make healthy decisions. Exercising and eating nutrient-rich foods are both
important components in reducing cardiovascular risk.
4
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026/2027
A nurse assesses a client who is recovering after a left-sided cardiac catheterization.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
a. Urinary output less than intake
b. Bruising at the insertion site
c. Slurred speech and confusion
d. Discomfort in the left leg - CORRECT ANSWER>>>>ANS: C
A left-sided cardiac catheterization specifically increases the risk for a cerebral
vascular accident. A change in neurologic status needs to be acted on immediately.
Discomfort and bruising are expected at the site. If intake decreases, a client can
become dehydrated because of dye excretion. The second intervention would be to
increase the clients fluid status. Neurologic changes would take priority.
A nurse assesses a client who is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Which
assessment should the nurse complete prior to this procedure?
a. Clients level of anxiety
b. Ability to turn self in bed
1
,c. Cardiac rhythm and heart rate
d. Allergies to iodine-based agents - CORRECT ANSWER>>>>ANS: D
Before the procedure, the nurse should ascertain whether the client has an allergy
to iodine-containing preparations, such as seafood or local anesthetics. The
contrast medium used during the procedure is iodine based. This allergy can cause
a life-threatening reaction, so it is a high priority. Second, it is important for the
nurse to assess anxiety, mobility, and baseline cardiac status.
A nurse cares for a client who is prescribed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of
the heart. The clients health history includes a previous myocardial infarction and
pacemaker implantation. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Schedule an electrocardiogram just before the MRI.
b. Notify the health care provider before scheduling the MRI.
c. Call the physician and request a laboratory draw for cardiac enzymes.
d. Instruct the client to increase fluid intake the day before the MRI. - CORRECT
ANSWER>>>>ANS: B
The magnetic fields of the MRI can deactivate the pacemaker. The nurse should
call the health care provider and report that the client has a pacemaker so the
provider can order other diagnostic tests. The client does not need an
electrocardiogram, cardiac enzymes, or increased fluids.
2
,A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a myocardial infarction. The
clients pulmonary artery pressure reading is 25/12 mm Hg. Which action should
the nurse take first?
a. Compare the results with previous pulmonary artery pressure readings.
b. Increase the intravenous fluid rate because these readings are low.
c. Immediately notify the health care provider of the elevated pressures.
d. Document the finding in the clients chart as the only action. - CORRECT
ANSWER>>>>ANS: A
Normal pulmonary artery pressures range from 15 to 26 mm Hg for systolic and
from 5 to 15 mm Hg for diastolic. Although this clients readings are within normal
limits, the nurse needs to assess any trends that may indicate a need for medical
treatment to prevent complications. There is no need to increase intravenous fluids
or notify the provider.
A nurse cares for a client who has an 80% blockage of the right coronary artery
(RCA) and is scheduled for bypass surgery. Which intervention should the nurse be
prepared to implement while this client waits for surgery?
a. Administration of IV furosemide (Lasix)
b. Initiation of an external pacemaker
c. Assistance with endotracheal intubation
d. Placement of central venous access - CORRECT ANSWER>>>>ANS: B
3
, The RCA supplies the right atrium, the right ventricle, the inferior portion of the
left ventricle, and the atrioventricular (AV) node. It also supplies the sinoatrial node
in 50% of people. If the client totally occludes the RCA, the AV node would not
function and the client would go into heart block, so emergency pacing should be
available for the client. Furosemide, intubation, and central venous access will not
address the primary complication of RCA occlusion, which is AV node malfunction.
A nurse teaches a client with diabetes mellitus and a body mass index of 42 who is
at high risk for coronary artery disease. Which statement related to nutrition should
the nurse include in this clients teaching?
a. The best way to lose weight is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.
b. You should balance weight loss with consuming necessary nutrients.
c. A nutritionist will provide you with information about your new diet.
d. If you exercise more frequently, you wont need to change your diet. -
CORRECT ANSWER>>>>ANS: B
Clients at risk for cardiovascular diseases should follow the American Heart
Association guidelines to combat obesity and improve cardiac health. The nurse
should encourage the client to eat vegetables, fruits, unrefined whole-grain
products, and fat-free dairy products while losing weight. High-protein food items
are often high in fat and calories. Although the nutritionist can assist with client
education, the nurse should include nutrition education and assist the client to
make healthy decisions. Exercising and eating nutrient-rich foods are both
important components in reducing cardiovascular risk.
4
