1
CARDIAC EXAM NURSING WITH COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026-28 LATEST VERSION
what are the different types of stress testing - ANSWER-physical
exercise, pharmacological, mental and emotional stress testing
exercise stress test - ANSWER-look at patient age, gender, and target
heart rate to see if oxygen demands can be met. continuous ECG
monitoring, tests goes on until patient reaches target heart rate,
experiences chest pain, SOB, dizziness, leg cramping, or fatigue
when is a stress test reported as positive - ANSWER-significant ECG
changes
what are ECG changes you may see that indicate tissue Ischemia? -
ANSWER-ST segment depression
what should the patient do before an stress test? - ANSWER-4hrs
fasting, avoid stimulants such as tobacco, caffeine, can take meds
with a sip of water that morning, beta blockers may be held, wear
comfortable shoes and clothes, try their best, IV started just incase,
patient monitored after the test to make sure they are stable
pharmacologic stress test - ANSWER-for physically disabled, those
who can not meet a target heart rate, can not walk on a treadmill or
exercise bike
,2
how is a pharmacologic stress test performed - ANSWER-IV
Adenosine, dipyridamole (Persantine), and dobutamine that are
vasodilators, adenosine or adenocard, dipyridamole, and
regadenosine are cardiac vasodilators. They dilate coronary vessels,
which causes increased blood velocity and flow rate, effects 10-15
mins
what side effects do you need to watch for when administering
adenocard/adenosine, dipyridamole/Persantine - ANSWER-chest
discomfort, dizziness, headache, flushing, nausea. adenosine has
extremely short half life of less than 10 seconds
what meds block the effects of dipyridamole/persantine - ANSWER-
theophylline, and caffiene, zanthanes,
What med is used for a pharmacologic stress test when the patient
can not be off of theophylline due to their health history or can not
exercise - ANSWER-dobutamine
what are measures the patient must take before having a
pharmacological stress test - ANSWER-NPO 4 hrs, avoid caffeine,
chocolate, coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, meds containing
caffeine such as Darvon, inform patient they may experience flushing
or nausea but it will disappear quickly
,3
what is cardiac stress testing looking at - ANSWER-oxygen demands
of the heart, is it getting to the heart muscle as it should
what symptoms manifest when patient's heart is not getting the
oxygen needed - ANSWER-ECG changes in ST segment, and chest
pain
what are cardiac stress tests used for - ANSWER-help determine the
presence of coronary artery disease, rule out cause of chest pain,
functional capacity of the heart after heart surgery or MI, look at
effectiveness of anti angina medications, dysrhythmias during
exercise, to set goal for physical fitness or cardiac rehab
what is an echo cardiogram - ANSWER-non invasive ultrasound,
measures ejection fraction of the heart, examine size, shape, heart
valves and chambers, looks at patients with heart failure, no prep
needed before test. takes 30-45 mins, lay on left side
TEE - ANSWER-clear view of heart and chambers and can see clots in
chambers
what needs to be done for a patient having a TEE - ANSWER-topical
anesthesia in throat, moderate sedation, ask patient to swallow
several times to get the transducer into the esophagus, evaluates
heart failure, valvular heart disease, dysrhythmias, look for
vegetation on heart valves.
, 4
what test can be used to diagnose vegetation on heart valves -
ANSWER-TEE
how does vegetation grow on heart valves - ANSWER-when the
valves don't function properly
what signs and symptoms indicate heart valve vegetation - ANSWER-
low grade fever undiagnosed with valve problems
what should the nurse monitor after a TEE - ANSWER-swallowing
functions, vital signs, respiratory functions, alertness,
what can be a complication of a TEE - ANSWER-swallowing,
respiratory depression,
patients who are having a TEE - ANSWER-NPO 6 hrs, sign informed
consent, insert IV line, remove dentures, monitor vital signs such as
oxygen, must have SUCTION EQUIPMENT SET UP AT BEDSIDE., HOB
elevated 45 degrees during recovery, hold food and fluid until patient
is fully alert and able to swallow without difficulties which is usually
about 2 hours. start with sips of water assess swallowing, slowly
progress as tolerated, may have sore throat for next 24 hours
myocardio perfusion imaging, CT scan, MRI, - ANSWER-look at
nursing managment
CARDIAC EXAM NURSING WITH COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026-28 LATEST VERSION
what are the different types of stress testing - ANSWER-physical
exercise, pharmacological, mental and emotional stress testing
exercise stress test - ANSWER-look at patient age, gender, and target
heart rate to see if oxygen demands can be met. continuous ECG
monitoring, tests goes on until patient reaches target heart rate,
experiences chest pain, SOB, dizziness, leg cramping, or fatigue
when is a stress test reported as positive - ANSWER-significant ECG
changes
what are ECG changes you may see that indicate tissue Ischemia? -
ANSWER-ST segment depression
what should the patient do before an stress test? - ANSWER-4hrs
fasting, avoid stimulants such as tobacco, caffeine, can take meds
with a sip of water that morning, beta blockers may be held, wear
comfortable shoes and clothes, try their best, IV started just incase,
patient monitored after the test to make sure they are stable
pharmacologic stress test - ANSWER-for physically disabled, those
who can not meet a target heart rate, can not walk on a treadmill or
exercise bike
,2
how is a pharmacologic stress test performed - ANSWER-IV
Adenosine, dipyridamole (Persantine), and dobutamine that are
vasodilators, adenosine or adenocard, dipyridamole, and
regadenosine are cardiac vasodilators. They dilate coronary vessels,
which causes increased blood velocity and flow rate, effects 10-15
mins
what side effects do you need to watch for when administering
adenocard/adenosine, dipyridamole/Persantine - ANSWER-chest
discomfort, dizziness, headache, flushing, nausea. adenosine has
extremely short half life of less than 10 seconds
what meds block the effects of dipyridamole/persantine - ANSWER-
theophylline, and caffiene, zanthanes,
What med is used for a pharmacologic stress test when the patient
can not be off of theophylline due to their health history or can not
exercise - ANSWER-dobutamine
what are measures the patient must take before having a
pharmacological stress test - ANSWER-NPO 4 hrs, avoid caffeine,
chocolate, coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, meds containing
caffeine such as Darvon, inform patient they may experience flushing
or nausea but it will disappear quickly
,3
what is cardiac stress testing looking at - ANSWER-oxygen demands
of the heart, is it getting to the heart muscle as it should
what symptoms manifest when patient's heart is not getting the
oxygen needed - ANSWER-ECG changes in ST segment, and chest
pain
what are cardiac stress tests used for - ANSWER-help determine the
presence of coronary artery disease, rule out cause of chest pain,
functional capacity of the heart after heart surgery or MI, look at
effectiveness of anti angina medications, dysrhythmias during
exercise, to set goal for physical fitness or cardiac rehab
what is an echo cardiogram - ANSWER-non invasive ultrasound,
measures ejection fraction of the heart, examine size, shape, heart
valves and chambers, looks at patients with heart failure, no prep
needed before test. takes 30-45 mins, lay on left side
TEE - ANSWER-clear view of heart and chambers and can see clots in
chambers
what needs to be done for a patient having a TEE - ANSWER-topical
anesthesia in throat, moderate sedation, ask patient to swallow
several times to get the transducer into the esophagus, evaluates
heart failure, valvular heart disease, dysrhythmias, look for
vegetation on heart valves.
, 4
what test can be used to diagnose vegetation on heart valves -
ANSWER-TEE
how does vegetation grow on heart valves - ANSWER-when the
valves don't function properly
what signs and symptoms indicate heart valve vegetation - ANSWER-
low grade fever undiagnosed with valve problems
what should the nurse monitor after a TEE - ANSWER-swallowing
functions, vital signs, respiratory functions, alertness,
what can be a complication of a TEE - ANSWER-swallowing,
respiratory depression,
patients who are having a TEE - ANSWER-NPO 6 hrs, sign informed
consent, insert IV line, remove dentures, monitor vital signs such as
oxygen, must have SUCTION EQUIPMENT SET UP AT BEDSIDE., HOB
elevated 45 degrees during recovery, hold food and fluid until patient
is fully alert and able to swallow without difficulties which is usually
about 2 hours. start with sips of water assess swallowing, slowly
progress as tolerated, may have sore throat for next 24 hours
myocardio perfusion imaging, CT scan, MRI, - ANSWER-look at
nursing managment
