Cardio - Ms pre test
medical surgical nursing (Our Lady of Fatima University)
Questions and Answers | 2026 Updated | GUARANTEED PASS.
This Exam contains :
Cardio - Ms pre test
medical surgical nursing
Questions and Answers |
2026 Updated | GUARANTEED PASS
, 1. A patient with acute pericarditis presents with sharp chest pain. Which of the following
positions would the nurse instruct the patient to assume to best alleviate the pain?
o A) Supine
o B) Sitting upright and leaning forward
o C) Lateral decubitus
o D) Prone
Answer: B
Rationale:
o A) Supine: Lying flat increases pressure on the pericardium, the sac surrounding the
heart, which exacerbates the sharp chest pain associated with pericarditis.
o B) Sitting upright and leaning forward: This position reduces pressure on the inflamed
pericardium, allowing for greater chest expansion and less friction between the
pericardial layers. This is the most effective position for pain relief in acute pericarditis.
o C) Lateral decubitus: While this position may be comfortable for some patients, it does
not specifically address the pressure on the pericardium and therefore does not provide
the same degree of pain relief as sitting upright.
o D) Prone: Lying on the stomach increases pressure on the chest and heart, worsening
the pain associated with pericarditis.
0. A patient is diagnosed with myocarditis. Which assessment finding is most indicative of
this condition?
o A) Pericardial friction rub
o B) Jugular vein distention (JVD) and dyspnea
o C) Positive Homans' sign
o D) Hypertension and bradycardia
Answer: BRationale:
o A) Pericardial friction rub: This is a classic sign of pericarditis, an inflammation of the
pericardium, not myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle itself.
o B) Jugular vein distention (JVD) and dyspnea: Myocarditis can weaken the heart
muscle, leading to decreased cardiac output and fluid overload. JVD and dyspnea are
common signs of heart failure, which can occur as a result of myocarditis.
, o C) Positive Homans' sign: This sign (pain in the calf upon dorsiflexion of the foot)
indicates deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is not related to myocarditis.
o D) Hypertension and bradycardia: While myocarditis can cause arrhythmias, it typically
presents with tachycardia (fast heart rate) rather than bradycardia. Hypertension is not
a primary finding, though blood pressure can vary depending on the severity of the
myocarditis and its effect on cardiac output.
0. Which of the following is the primary goal of nursing interventions for a patient with
coronary artery disease (CAD)?
o A) Increase myocardial oxygen demand
o B) Decrease myocardial oxygen demand
o C) Promote thrombus formation
o D) Increase heart rate
Answer: BRationale:
o A) Increase myocardial oxygen demand: CAD is characterized by narrowed coronary
arteries, which reduce blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. Increasing
oxygen demand would exacerbate ischemia and chest pain (angina).
o B) Decrease myocardial oxygen demand: The primary goal in managing CAD is to
balance oxygen supply and demand. Decreasing oxygen demand reduces the workload
on the heart and helps to prevent ischemia and angina.
o C) Promote thrombus formation: Thrombus formation is a major complication of CAD,
leading to myocardial infarction. Nursing interventions aim to prevent, not promote,
thrombus formation.
o D) Increase heart rate: Increasing heart rate increases myocardial oxygen demand,
which is detrimental in CAD. Medications like beta-blockers are often used to control
heart rate and reduce oxygen consumption.
0. A patient is admitted to the emergency department with a suspected myocardial
infarction (MI). Which laboratory test is most specific for myocardial damage?
o A) Creatine kinase (CK)
o B) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
o C) Troponin
o D) Myoglobin
, Answer: CRationale:
o A) Creatine kinase (CK): CK is an enzyme found in various tissues, including the heart,
skeletal muscle, and brain. While CK-MB is a more specific isoenzyme for myocardial
damage, it is not as specific as troponin.
o B) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): LDH is an enzyme found in many body tissues, and
elevated levels can indicate various conditions, including MI. However, it is not specific
to cardiac tissue.
o C) Troponin: Troponin is a protein specific to cardiac muscle. When myocardial damage
occurs, troponin is released into the bloodstream. Troponin levels are highly sensitive
and specific for MI, making it the preferred biomarker for diagnosis.
o D) Myoglobin: Myoglobin is a protein found in heart and skeletal muscle. While it rises
rapidly after an MI, it is not as specific as troponin because it can also be elevated in
skeletal muscle injury.
0. A patient experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI) is receiving oxygen therapy.
What is the primary reason for administering oxygen?
o A) To prevent hyperventilation
o B) To increase the oxygen supply to the myocardium
o C) To reduce anxiety
o D) To decrease respiratory rate
Answer: BRationale:
o A) To prevent hyperventilation: While oxygen therapy may indirectly help to stabilize
respiratory patterns, its primary purpose in MI is not to prevent hyperventilation.
o B) To increase the oxygen supply to the myocardium: During an MI, blood flow to the
heart muscle is reduced, leading to ischemia (oxygen deprivation). Administering
supplemental oxygen increases the oxygen available to the heart tissue, which can help
to limit damage and improve myocardial function.
o C) To reduce anxiety: Oxygen therapy may help alleviate anxiety associated with
dyspnea (shortness of breath), but this is a secondary effect.
o D) To decrease respiratory rate: Oxygen therapy does not typically decrease respiratory
rate. In some cases, it may even increase respiratory rate if the patient is experiencing
significant respiratory distress.
medical surgical nursing (Our Lady of Fatima University)
Questions and Answers | 2026 Updated | GUARANTEED PASS.
This Exam contains :
Cardio - Ms pre test
medical surgical nursing
Questions and Answers |
2026 Updated | GUARANTEED PASS
, 1. A patient with acute pericarditis presents with sharp chest pain. Which of the following
positions would the nurse instruct the patient to assume to best alleviate the pain?
o A) Supine
o B) Sitting upright and leaning forward
o C) Lateral decubitus
o D) Prone
Answer: B
Rationale:
o A) Supine: Lying flat increases pressure on the pericardium, the sac surrounding the
heart, which exacerbates the sharp chest pain associated with pericarditis.
o B) Sitting upright and leaning forward: This position reduces pressure on the inflamed
pericardium, allowing for greater chest expansion and less friction between the
pericardial layers. This is the most effective position for pain relief in acute pericarditis.
o C) Lateral decubitus: While this position may be comfortable for some patients, it does
not specifically address the pressure on the pericardium and therefore does not provide
the same degree of pain relief as sitting upright.
o D) Prone: Lying on the stomach increases pressure on the chest and heart, worsening
the pain associated with pericarditis.
0. A patient is diagnosed with myocarditis. Which assessment finding is most indicative of
this condition?
o A) Pericardial friction rub
o B) Jugular vein distention (JVD) and dyspnea
o C) Positive Homans' sign
o D) Hypertension and bradycardia
Answer: BRationale:
o A) Pericardial friction rub: This is a classic sign of pericarditis, an inflammation of the
pericardium, not myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle itself.
o B) Jugular vein distention (JVD) and dyspnea: Myocarditis can weaken the heart
muscle, leading to decreased cardiac output and fluid overload. JVD and dyspnea are
common signs of heart failure, which can occur as a result of myocarditis.
, o C) Positive Homans' sign: This sign (pain in the calf upon dorsiflexion of the foot)
indicates deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is not related to myocarditis.
o D) Hypertension and bradycardia: While myocarditis can cause arrhythmias, it typically
presents with tachycardia (fast heart rate) rather than bradycardia. Hypertension is not
a primary finding, though blood pressure can vary depending on the severity of the
myocarditis and its effect on cardiac output.
0. Which of the following is the primary goal of nursing interventions for a patient with
coronary artery disease (CAD)?
o A) Increase myocardial oxygen demand
o B) Decrease myocardial oxygen demand
o C) Promote thrombus formation
o D) Increase heart rate
Answer: BRationale:
o A) Increase myocardial oxygen demand: CAD is characterized by narrowed coronary
arteries, which reduce blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. Increasing
oxygen demand would exacerbate ischemia and chest pain (angina).
o B) Decrease myocardial oxygen demand: The primary goal in managing CAD is to
balance oxygen supply and demand. Decreasing oxygen demand reduces the workload
on the heart and helps to prevent ischemia and angina.
o C) Promote thrombus formation: Thrombus formation is a major complication of CAD,
leading to myocardial infarction. Nursing interventions aim to prevent, not promote,
thrombus formation.
o D) Increase heart rate: Increasing heart rate increases myocardial oxygen demand,
which is detrimental in CAD. Medications like beta-blockers are often used to control
heart rate and reduce oxygen consumption.
0. A patient is admitted to the emergency department with a suspected myocardial
infarction (MI). Which laboratory test is most specific for myocardial damage?
o A) Creatine kinase (CK)
o B) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
o C) Troponin
o D) Myoglobin
, Answer: CRationale:
o A) Creatine kinase (CK): CK is an enzyme found in various tissues, including the heart,
skeletal muscle, and brain. While CK-MB is a more specific isoenzyme for myocardial
damage, it is not as specific as troponin.
o B) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): LDH is an enzyme found in many body tissues, and
elevated levels can indicate various conditions, including MI. However, it is not specific
to cardiac tissue.
o C) Troponin: Troponin is a protein specific to cardiac muscle. When myocardial damage
occurs, troponin is released into the bloodstream. Troponin levels are highly sensitive
and specific for MI, making it the preferred biomarker for diagnosis.
o D) Myoglobin: Myoglobin is a protein found in heart and skeletal muscle. While it rises
rapidly after an MI, it is not as specific as troponin because it can also be elevated in
skeletal muscle injury.
0. A patient experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI) is receiving oxygen therapy.
What is the primary reason for administering oxygen?
o A) To prevent hyperventilation
o B) To increase the oxygen supply to the myocardium
o C) To reduce anxiety
o D) To decrease respiratory rate
Answer: BRationale:
o A) To prevent hyperventilation: While oxygen therapy may indirectly help to stabilize
respiratory patterns, its primary purpose in MI is not to prevent hyperventilation.
o B) To increase the oxygen supply to the myocardium: During an MI, blood flow to the
heart muscle is reduced, leading to ischemia (oxygen deprivation). Administering
supplemental oxygen increases the oxygen available to the heart tissue, which can help
to limit damage and improve myocardial function.
o C) To reduce anxiety: Oxygen therapy may help alleviate anxiety associated with
dyspnea (shortness of breath), but this is a secondary effect.
o D) To decrease respiratory rate: Oxygen therapy does not typically decrease respiratory
rate. In some cases, it may even increase respiratory rate if the patient is experiencing
significant respiratory distress.
