1
CARDIOMYOPATHY & HEART FAILURE NURSING EXAM
NCLEX STYLE 2026-28 LATEST VERSION
Exam Structure
• Number of Questions: 100
• Format: NCLEX-style multiple choice, scenario-based
• Time: 3 hours recommended
• Content Areas: Cardiomyopathy types, heart failure types, assessment, pharmacologic
and non-pharmacologic management, acute complications, patient education
Introduction
This exam evaluates the nurse’s ability to assess, prioritize, and manage patients with
cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Questions reflect realistic clinical scenarios, focusing on:
• Identifying signs and symptoms
• Understanding pathophysiology
• Applying evidence-based pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions
• Preventing complications
• Educating and guiding patients for self-management
Exam Format
Each question includes:
Question: Clinical scenario or knowledge-based question.
Options: Four choices labeled A–D.
Answer: Correct option letter.
Rationale: Explains why the answer is correct and why others are less appropriate; includes
NCLEX-style reasoning.
,2
1.
A patient with dilated cardiomyopathy presents with dyspnea
on exertion, fatigue, and peripheral edema. Which nursing
assessment is priority?
A. Lung auscultation for crackles and oxygen saturation
B. Daily weight measurement only
C. Review past medication history
D. Assess for skin rashes
Answer: A
Rationale: Pulmonary congestion may indicate heart failure
exacerbation. NCLEX Tip: Always assess life-threatening
symptoms first.
2.
A patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy reports chest pain
after mild activity. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Assess vital signs and oxygen saturation
B. Encourage bed rest and schedule follow-up
C. Monitor ECG once a week
D. Teach dietary modifications only
Answer: A
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate ischemia or arrhythmia risk;
immediate assessment is priority.
,3
3.
A patient with systolic heart failure (EF 30%) is prescribed ACE
inhibitors. Which teaching is essential?
A. Monitor blood pressure, report dizziness or cough, take
medication at the same time daily
B. Avoid all fluids
C. Only take medication when symptomatic
D. Stop if blood pressure is normal once
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce afterload, improve survival,
and require monitoring for hypotension and cough.
4.
Which patient is at highest risk for heart failure exacerbation?
A. 65-year-old with history of MI, EF 28%, BP 160/95
B. 40-year-old with controlled hypertension
C. 35-year-old with mild mitral valve prolapse
D. 50-year-old with normal EF
Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced EF, history of MI, and hypertension increase
risk for decompensation and complications.
, 4
5.
A patient with right-sided heart failure presents with ascites
and hepatomegaly. Which intervention is priority?
A. Monitor abdominal girth and daily weight
B. Encourage high-sodium diet
C. Focus only on peripheral edema
D. Discontinue diuretics
Answer: A
Rationale: Monitoring fluid accumulation identifies early
worsening of heart failure.
6.
A patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy asks about activity
restrictions. Nurse teaching:
A. Avoid strenuous exercise and competitive sports; encourage
moderate activity
B. No restrictions are needed
C. Only diet matters
D. Only take medications, exercise is unsafe
Answer: A
Rationale: Strenuous activity increases risk of sudden cardiac
death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
7.
CARDIOMYOPATHY & HEART FAILURE NURSING EXAM
NCLEX STYLE 2026-28 LATEST VERSION
Exam Structure
• Number of Questions: 100
• Format: NCLEX-style multiple choice, scenario-based
• Time: 3 hours recommended
• Content Areas: Cardiomyopathy types, heart failure types, assessment, pharmacologic
and non-pharmacologic management, acute complications, patient education
Introduction
This exam evaluates the nurse’s ability to assess, prioritize, and manage patients with
cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Questions reflect realistic clinical scenarios, focusing on:
• Identifying signs and symptoms
• Understanding pathophysiology
• Applying evidence-based pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions
• Preventing complications
• Educating and guiding patients for self-management
Exam Format
Each question includes:
Question: Clinical scenario or knowledge-based question.
Options: Four choices labeled A–D.
Answer: Correct option letter.
Rationale: Explains why the answer is correct and why others are less appropriate; includes
NCLEX-style reasoning.
,2
1.
A patient with dilated cardiomyopathy presents with dyspnea
on exertion, fatigue, and peripheral edema. Which nursing
assessment is priority?
A. Lung auscultation for crackles and oxygen saturation
B. Daily weight measurement only
C. Review past medication history
D. Assess for skin rashes
Answer: A
Rationale: Pulmonary congestion may indicate heart failure
exacerbation. NCLEX Tip: Always assess life-threatening
symptoms first.
2.
A patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy reports chest pain
after mild activity. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Assess vital signs and oxygen saturation
B. Encourage bed rest and schedule follow-up
C. Monitor ECG once a week
D. Teach dietary modifications only
Answer: A
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate ischemia or arrhythmia risk;
immediate assessment is priority.
,3
3.
A patient with systolic heart failure (EF 30%) is prescribed ACE
inhibitors. Which teaching is essential?
A. Monitor blood pressure, report dizziness or cough, take
medication at the same time daily
B. Avoid all fluids
C. Only take medication when symptomatic
D. Stop if blood pressure is normal once
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce afterload, improve survival,
and require monitoring for hypotension and cough.
4.
Which patient is at highest risk for heart failure exacerbation?
A. 65-year-old with history of MI, EF 28%, BP 160/95
B. 40-year-old with controlled hypertension
C. 35-year-old with mild mitral valve prolapse
D. 50-year-old with normal EF
Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced EF, history of MI, and hypertension increase
risk for decompensation and complications.
, 4
5.
A patient with right-sided heart failure presents with ascites
and hepatomegaly. Which intervention is priority?
A. Monitor abdominal girth and daily weight
B. Encourage high-sodium diet
C. Focus only on peripheral edema
D. Discontinue diuretics
Answer: A
Rationale: Monitoring fluid accumulation identifies early
worsening of heart failure.
6.
A patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy asks about activity
restrictions. Nurse teaching:
A. Avoid strenuous exercise and competitive sports; encourage
moderate activity
B. No restrictions are needed
C. Only diet matters
D. Only take medications, exercise is unsafe
Answer: A
Rationale: Strenuous activity increases risk of sudden cardiac
death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
7.
