NSG 3130 Exam 4 Fundamental Concepts and Skills for Nursing Practice II Latest Practice Test
with Questions and Correct Answers/ NSG 3130 Exam 4
Question 1
Which component of the cardiovascular system is responsible for the actual mechanical
movement of blood through the body?
A) The electrical system
B) The vascular system
C) The pump (heart)
D) The blood volume
E) Serum lipid levels
Correct Answer: C) The pump (heart)
Rationale: The heart acts as the central pump of the cardiovascular system. While the
electrical system triggers the beat and the vascular system provides the pathways, the
muscular contraction of the heart (the pump) provides the force necessary to circulate
blood.
Question 2
A patient’s laboratory results show an LDL level of 160 mg/dL. Based on clinical standards for
serum lipid levels, how should the nurse interpret this finding?
A) It is within the normal range of less than 130 mg/dL.
B) It is elevated, as LDL should be less than 130 mg/dL.
C) it is low, as LDL should be greater than 200 mg/dL.
D) It is optimal for preventing atherosclerosis.
E) It is irrelevant unless the HDL is also low.
Correct Answer: B) It is elevated, as LDL should be less than 130 mg/dL.
Rationale: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered "bad" cholesterol because it can
clog blood vessels and decrease blood flow. The target for LDL is less than 130 mg/dL;
therefore, 160 mg/dL is elevated and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Question 3
Which serum protein is the most specific indicator of cardiac cell death and is used to confirm a
Myocardial Infarction (MI)?
A) C-reactive protein
B) Homocysteine
C) Hemoglobin
D) Troponin
E) Serum potassium
Correct Answer: D) Troponin
Rationale: Troponin and Creatinine Kinase (CK) are released into the bloodstream when
cardiac muscle cells are damaged or die. Troponin is highly specific to cardiac tissue and is
the gold standard for diagnosing a heart attack (MI).
, 2
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a patient with severe dehydration. Which physiological change in the heart's
function is the nurse most likely to observe?
A) Increased afterload
B) Increased cardiac output
C) Decreased preload
D) Decreased serum lipids
E) Increased hemoglobin binding
Correct Answer: C) Decreased preload
Rationale: Preload is the amount of blood and pressure in the ventricle at the end of diastole
(the "stretch"). Because dehydration reduces total blood volume, there is less blood
returning to the heart, resulting in decreased preload.
Question 5
A patient has chronic Hypertension (HTN), which has caused systemic vasoconstriction. How
does this affect the heart's workload?
A) It increases preload.
B) It decreases the heart rate.
C) It increases afterload.
) It decreases the electrical conduction speed.
E) It lowers the stroke volume automatically.
Correct Answer: C) It increases afterload.
Rationale: Afterload is the resistance the ventricle must exceed to eject blood during systole.
Hypertension and vasoconstriction increase this resistance, forcing the heart to work
harder to push blood out into the systemic circulation.
Question 6
Calculate the Cardiac Output (CO) for a patient with a heart rate of 70 beats per minute and a
stroke volume of 70 mL per beat.
A) 140 mL/min
B) 490 mL/min
C) 4,900 mL/min
D) 7,000 mL/min
E) 1,400 mL/min
Correct Answer: C) 4,900 mL/min
Rationale: Cardiac output is calculated by the formula: Heart Rate (HR) x Stroke Volume
(SV). Therefore, 70 bpm x 70 mL = 4,900 mL/min.
Question 7
Which of the following is a normal physiological change in the cardiovascular system of an older
adult?
, 3
A) Heart rate increases at rest.
B) Blood pressure tends to trend upward with age.
C) Heart muscle tone increases.
D) Cardiac output increases to compensate for stiffness.
E) Baroreceptor response becomes more sensitive.
Correct Answer: B) Blood pressure tends to trend upward with age.
Rationale: As adults age, blood vessels become less elastic and more rigid, and the heart
loses muscle tone. This typically leads to a decrease in cardiac output and an upward trend
in blood pressure.
Question 8
In which populations is the prevalence of chronic hypertension and heart disease statistically
more likely to be higher?
A) Caucasian and Asian
B) African American and Hispanic
C) Mediterranean and Native American
D) Pacific Islander and Caucasian
E) Eastern European and Asian
Correct Answer: B) African American and Hispanic
Rationale: Research indicates that African American and Hispanic populations are
disproportionately affected by chronic hypertension and are more likely to develop
subsequent heart diseases compared to other groups.
Question 9
A nurse is assessing a geriatric patient. Which finding is a common "geriatric concern" related to
the cardiovascular system?
A) Increased elasticity of the aorta.
B) Enhanced baroreceptor response to position changes.
C) Improved valvular efficiency.
D) Impaired valves due to stiffness, causing decreased cardiac output.
E) Rapid heart rate recovery after exercise.
Correct Answer: D) Impaired valves due to stiffness, causing decreased cardiac output.
Rationale: Age-related changes include the stiffening of heart valves and a decreased
baroreceptor response. When valves are stiff, they do not open or close as efficiently, which
can lead to a decrease in overall cardiac output.
Question 10
Which of the following is considered a "Non-modifiable" risk factor for heart disease?
A) Stress levels
B) Sedentary lifestyle
C) Family history
, 4
D) High cholesterol diet
E) Smoking status
Correct Answer: C) Family history
Rationale: Non-modifiable risk factors are those that an individual cannot change, such as
age, race, gender/ethnicity, and family history (genetics). Lifestyle and stress are
modifiable.
Question 11
A patient presents with central obesity, increased triglycerides, and hypertension. The nurse
recognizes this cluster of symptoms as:
A) Myocardial Infarction
B) Metabolic Syndrome
C) Anemia
D) Pleurisy
E) Left-sided Heart Failure
Correct Answer: B) Metabolic Syndrome
Rationale: Metabolic Syndrome is diagnosed when a patient has three or more of the
following: central obesity, high triglycerides, elevated cholesterol, hypertension, or
hyperglycemia.
Question 12
What does an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level indicate in a patient?
A) Specific cardiac cell death.
B) A lack of iron in the blood.
C) Acute inflammation or infection.
D) High oxygen saturation.
E) Efficient renal filtration.
Correct Answer: C) Acute inflammation or infection.
Rationale: C-reactive protein is a nonspecific protein produced by the liver. It rises in
response to systemic inflammation or infection, which is often associated with the
development of atherosclerosis.
Question 13
A patient has inadequate blood supply to the lower extremities due to plaque buildup. This
condition is known as:
A) Hypoxemia
B) Ischemia
C) Hypercapnia
D) Cardiomegaly
E) Anemia
Correct Answer: B) Ischemia
with Questions and Correct Answers/ NSG 3130 Exam 4
Question 1
Which component of the cardiovascular system is responsible for the actual mechanical
movement of blood through the body?
A) The electrical system
B) The vascular system
C) The pump (heart)
D) The blood volume
E) Serum lipid levels
Correct Answer: C) The pump (heart)
Rationale: The heart acts as the central pump of the cardiovascular system. While the
electrical system triggers the beat and the vascular system provides the pathways, the
muscular contraction of the heart (the pump) provides the force necessary to circulate
blood.
Question 2
A patient’s laboratory results show an LDL level of 160 mg/dL. Based on clinical standards for
serum lipid levels, how should the nurse interpret this finding?
A) It is within the normal range of less than 130 mg/dL.
B) It is elevated, as LDL should be less than 130 mg/dL.
C) it is low, as LDL should be greater than 200 mg/dL.
D) It is optimal for preventing atherosclerosis.
E) It is irrelevant unless the HDL is also low.
Correct Answer: B) It is elevated, as LDL should be less than 130 mg/dL.
Rationale: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered "bad" cholesterol because it can
clog blood vessels and decrease blood flow. The target for LDL is less than 130 mg/dL;
therefore, 160 mg/dL is elevated and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Question 3
Which serum protein is the most specific indicator of cardiac cell death and is used to confirm a
Myocardial Infarction (MI)?
A) C-reactive protein
B) Homocysteine
C) Hemoglobin
D) Troponin
E) Serum potassium
Correct Answer: D) Troponin
Rationale: Troponin and Creatinine Kinase (CK) are released into the bloodstream when
cardiac muscle cells are damaged or die. Troponin is highly specific to cardiac tissue and is
the gold standard for diagnosing a heart attack (MI).
, 2
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a patient with severe dehydration. Which physiological change in the heart's
function is the nurse most likely to observe?
A) Increased afterload
B) Increased cardiac output
C) Decreased preload
D) Decreased serum lipids
E) Increased hemoglobin binding
Correct Answer: C) Decreased preload
Rationale: Preload is the amount of blood and pressure in the ventricle at the end of diastole
(the "stretch"). Because dehydration reduces total blood volume, there is less blood
returning to the heart, resulting in decreased preload.
Question 5
A patient has chronic Hypertension (HTN), which has caused systemic vasoconstriction. How
does this affect the heart's workload?
A) It increases preload.
B) It decreases the heart rate.
C) It increases afterload.
) It decreases the electrical conduction speed.
E) It lowers the stroke volume automatically.
Correct Answer: C) It increases afterload.
Rationale: Afterload is the resistance the ventricle must exceed to eject blood during systole.
Hypertension and vasoconstriction increase this resistance, forcing the heart to work
harder to push blood out into the systemic circulation.
Question 6
Calculate the Cardiac Output (CO) for a patient with a heart rate of 70 beats per minute and a
stroke volume of 70 mL per beat.
A) 140 mL/min
B) 490 mL/min
C) 4,900 mL/min
D) 7,000 mL/min
E) 1,400 mL/min
Correct Answer: C) 4,900 mL/min
Rationale: Cardiac output is calculated by the formula: Heart Rate (HR) x Stroke Volume
(SV). Therefore, 70 bpm x 70 mL = 4,900 mL/min.
Question 7
Which of the following is a normal physiological change in the cardiovascular system of an older
adult?
, 3
A) Heart rate increases at rest.
B) Blood pressure tends to trend upward with age.
C) Heart muscle tone increases.
D) Cardiac output increases to compensate for stiffness.
E) Baroreceptor response becomes more sensitive.
Correct Answer: B) Blood pressure tends to trend upward with age.
Rationale: As adults age, blood vessels become less elastic and more rigid, and the heart
loses muscle tone. This typically leads to a decrease in cardiac output and an upward trend
in blood pressure.
Question 8
In which populations is the prevalence of chronic hypertension and heart disease statistically
more likely to be higher?
A) Caucasian and Asian
B) African American and Hispanic
C) Mediterranean and Native American
D) Pacific Islander and Caucasian
E) Eastern European and Asian
Correct Answer: B) African American and Hispanic
Rationale: Research indicates that African American and Hispanic populations are
disproportionately affected by chronic hypertension and are more likely to develop
subsequent heart diseases compared to other groups.
Question 9
A nurse is assessing a geriatric patient. Which finding is a common "geriatric concern" related to
the cardiovascular system?
A) Increased elasticity of the aorta.
B) Enhanced baroreceptor response to position changes.
C) Improved valvular efficiency.
D) Impaired valves due to stiffness, causing decreased cardiac output.
E) Rapid heart rate recovery after exercise.
Correct Answer: D) Impaired valves due to stiffness, causing decreased cardiac output.
Rationale: Age-related changes include the stiffening of heart valves and a decreased
baroreceptor response. When valves are stiff, they do not open or close as efficiently, which
can lead to a decrease in overall cardiac output.
Question 10
Which of the following is considered a "Non-modifiable" risk factor for heart disease?
A) Stress levels
B) Sedentary lifestyle
C) Family history
, 4
D) High cholesterol diet
E) Smoking status
Correct Answer: C) Family history
Rationale: Non-modifiable risk factors are those that an individual cannot change, such as
age, race, gender/ethnicity, and family history (genetics). Lifestyle and stress are
modifiable.
Question 11
A patient presents with central obesity, increased triglycerides, and hypertension. The nurse
recognizes this cluster of symptoms as:
A) Myocardial Infarction
B) Metabolic Syndrome
C) Anemia
D) Pleurisy
E) Left-sided Heart Failure
Correct Answer: B) Metabolic Syndrome
Rationale: Metabolic Syndrome is diagnosed when a patient has three or more of the
following: central obesity, high triglycerides, elevated cholesterol, hypertension, or
hyperglycemia.
Question 12
What does an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level indicate in a patient?
A) Specific cardiac cell death.
B) A lack of iron in the blood.
C) Acute inflammation or infection.
D) High oxygen saturation.
E) Efficient renal filtration.
Correct Answer: C) Acute inflammation or infection.
Rationale: C-reactive protein is a nonspecific protein produced by the liver. It rises in
response to systemic inflammation or infection, which is often associated with the
development of atherosclerosis.
Question 13
A patient has inadequate blood supply to the lower extremities due to plaque buildup. This
condition is known as:
A) Hypoxemia
B) Ischemia
C) Hypercapnia
D) Cardiomegaly
E) Anemia
Correct Answer: B) Ischemia
