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NCLEX Cardiovascular Practice Questions (100 Q&A
with Rationales) 2026/2027.
Section 1: Cardiac Assessment (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A patient reports chest pain radiating to the left arm and jaw. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Assess vital signs
C. Notify the physician
D. Provide pain medication
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse must first assess vital signs to determine the
patient’s cardiovascular status and severity of symptoms before
initiating interventions.
Question 2
Which symptom is most commonly associated with myocardial
infarction?
A. Chest pain
B. Abdominal pain
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C. Back pain
D. Joint pain
Answer: A
Rationale: Chest pain or pressure is the most common symptom of
myocardial infarction.
Question 3
Which laboratory test indicates myocardial damage?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Troponin
C. Sodium
D. Potassium
Answer: B
Rationale: Troponin levels rise when heart muscle cells are damaged.
Question 4
Which pulse site is most commonly used during cardiac assessment?
A. Carotid
B. Radial
C. Femoral
D. Apical
Answer: B
Rationale: The radial pulse is most commonly used to assess heart rate
and rhythm.
NCLEX Cardiovascular Practice Questions (100 Q&A
with Rationales) 2026/2027.
Section 1: Cardiac Assessment (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
A patient reports chest pain radiating to the left arm and jaw. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Assess vital signs
C. Notify the physician
D. Provide pain medication
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse must first assess vital signs to determine the
patient’s cardiovascular status and severity of symptoms before
initiating interventions.
Question 2
Which symptom is most commonly associated with myocardial
infarction?
A. Chest pain
B. Abdominal pain
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C. Back pain
D. Joint pain
Answer: A
Rationale: Chest pain or pressure is the most common symptom of
myocardial infarction.
Question 3
Which laboratory test indicates myocardial damage?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Troponin
C. Sodium
D. Potassium
Answer: B
Rationale: Troponin levels rise when heart muscle cells are damaged.
Question 4
Which pulse site is most commonly used during cardiac assessment?
A. Carotid
B. Radial
C. Femoral
D. Apical
Answer: B
Rationale: The radial pulse is most commonly used to assess heart rate
and rhythm.
