Cardiovascular NCLEX Questions with Answers Graded A+
Mental status changes
Which of the following are most likely to be early signs of
Agitation
cardiac problems in older persons? (Select all that apply.)
Frequent falls
Rationale: Many cardiovascular functions are complicated
Mental status changes
in that they involve many other systems. Mental status
Agitation
changes, agitation, and falls can be early signs of cardiac
Frequent falls
problems in the older person. Changes in function in the
Sudden changes in GI function
GI system are not typical signs of a cardiac problem.
A patient has been diagnosed with Right-Sided Conges-
tive Heart Failure, and is confused about return of deoxy-
genated blood from the tissue. To clarify the confusion,
Right atrium
which chamber of the heart receives blood from systemic
Rationale: The right atrium is a thin-walled structure that
circulation?
receives deoxygenated blood from all the peripheral tis-
sues by way of the superior and inferior vena cava and
Left atrium
from the heart muscle by way of the coronary sinus.
Right atrium
Right ventricle
Left ventricle
Evaluate blood flow to peripheral tissues.
Rationale: Blood flow to the tissues is measured clinically
It is important that the nurse be knowledgeable about
as the cardiac output, and assists to predict tissue per-
cardiac output in order to:
fusion. Electrical activity is evaluated more ettectively by
EKG. While the cardiac output is important for perfusion
Evaluate blood flow to peripheral tissues.
and oxygenation of tissues, the oxygen saturation would
Determine the electrical activity of the myocardium.
provide more valuable information. Nutritional changes
Provide information on the immediate need for oxygen.
would be targeted to sodium and would depend on
Implement nutritional changes.
symptoms of disease.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Planning
, Cardiovascular NCLEX Questions with Answers Graded A+
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Health Promotion and Maintenance
How to maintain a normal blood pressure.
Nurses can best help older clients prevent hypertension Rationale: Hypertension is a major risk factor for other car-
by teaching: diovascular conditions. In persons older than 50, systolic
blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg is a much more
Low-fat, low-cholesterol diets. important cardiovascular disease risk factor than is dias-
The importance of exercise. tolic blood pressure. The risk of cardiovascular disease,
How to handle stressful situations. beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, doubles with each incre-
How to maintain a normal blood pressure. ment of 20/10 mm Hg. Answers 1, 2, and 3 are important
elements to include in education of a patient with blood
pressure elevation, and are included in the correct answer.
Modification of lifestyle behaviors to help manage hyper-
Alcohol intake with meals
tension does not include which of the following? (Select
\
all that apply.)
Rationale: Weight loss of even 10 pounds; fruits, vegeta-
bles, and whole grains; the DASH diet; and a daily exercise
Weight loss of even 10 pounds
regimen will help reduce high blood pressure. Alcohol
The DASH diet
intake with meals should be reduced to help manage high
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
blood pressure.
Alcohol intake with meals
A patient receiving the drug simvastatin (Zocor) should
be taught this medication helps to prevent coronary heart Controlling lower-density lipoprotein.
disease by:
Rationale: The Heart Protective Study has also shown that
Increasing lower-density lipoprotein. controlling low-density lipoprotein (LDL) with simvastatin
Controlling lower-density lipoprotein. (Zocor) assists in the prevention of coronary heart disease
Increasing triglycerides. by raising HDL. Responses 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
Increasing very low-density lipoprotein.
Which of the following are direct causes of chronic is-
chemic pain? (Select all that apply.)
, Cardiovascular NCLEX Questions with Answers Graded A+
Aortic stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as a vesic-
ular rash along a dermatome, not chronic ischemic pain.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Evaluation
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Physiological Integrity; Physiological
Adaptation
Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as a vesicu-
lar rash along a dermatome, not chronic ischemic pain.
Older clients experiencing anginal pain with complaints of Sublingual nitroglycerin
fatigue or weakness usually are medicated with which of
the following types of medication? Rationale: Angina frequently is managed with sublingual
nitroglycerin, which causes vasodilation and increases
Sublingual nitroglycerin blood flow to the coronary arteries. Cardiac glycosides are
Cardiac glycosides used to treat heart failure, and morphine is used to treat
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors myocardial infarction. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Morphine sulfate are used for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Troponin T levels
Which of the following diagnostic studies most likely
Rationale: CK-MB elevates 4-6 hours after tissue necro-
would confirm a myocardial infarction?
sis. Troponin levels rise 6-8 hours after the infarct (tissue
necrosis) but also can occur with other types of tissue
Serum myoglobin level
damage. Myoglobin also elevates, but to a lesser degree.
Creatinine kinase (CK)
WBC levels elevate with an inflammatory response. Tro-
White blood cell count (WBC)
ponin levels are more elevated than are the other cardiac
Troponin T levels
enzymes, are more specific to cardiac tissue, and rise 6-8
hours after the infarct (tissue necrosis).
Ticarcillin disodium (Ticar)
, A client with post-myocardial infarction develops acute
Rationale: Acute bacterial pericarditis is a complication
bacterial pericarditis. Which of the following medications
that can occur post-myocardial infarction. Acute bacterial
would the physician most likely prescribe as the primary
pericarditis usually requires antibiotics. NSAIDs usually are
drug?
prescribed to relieve pain from the inflammatory process.
If the NSAIDs do not relieve pain within 48 to 96 hours,
Ticarcillin disodium (Ticar)
corticosteroids are ordered. There is no mention of pain in
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
the stem of the question. Trisoralen is used to repigment
Ibuprofen (Motrin)
skin for persons with vitiligo.
Trioxsalen (Trisoralen)
Echocardiogram
Which of the following diagnostic tests is preferred for
evaluating heart valve function?
Rationale: The echocardiogram is the preferred test to
evaluate heart valves, because it allows the visualization of
Chest x-ray
the valves as they open and close. A chest x-ray will de-
Duplex Doppler
termine the size of the heart, the duplex measures blood
Echocardiogram
flow through major arteries, and an electrocardiogram
Electrocardiogram
identifies electrical activity.
An elderly client is being monitored for evidence of con-
Accurately weigh the patient, and report and record the
gestive heart failure. To detect early signs of heart failure,
readings.
the nurse would instruct the certified nursing attendant
(CNA) to do which of the following during care of the
Rationale: Due to fluid accumulation, an expanded blood
patient?
volume can result when the heart fails. Body weight is a
sensitive indicator of water and sodium retention, which
Observe electrocardiogram readings and report devia-
will manifest itself with edema, dyspnea - especially noc-
tions to the nurse.
turnal - and pedal edema. Patients also should be in-
Assist the client with ambulation three times during the
structed about the need to perform daily weights upon
shift.
discharge to monitor body water. It is not within the role
Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes and report each
of the CNA to monitor ECG readings, and ambulation is
reading to the nurse.
not an assessment. Vital signs every 15 minute are not
Accurately weigh the patient, and report and record the
necessary for this level of patient care.
readings.
Which of the following drug classifications should the
nurse question if prescribed for a person with congested
Mental status changes
Which of the following are most likely to be early signs of
Agitation
cardiac problems in older persons? (Select all that apply.)
Frequent falls
Rationale: Many cardiovascular functions are complicated
Mental status changes
in that they involve many other systems. Mental status
Agitation
changes, agitation, and falls can be early signs of cardiac
Frequent falls
problems in the older person. Changes in function in the
Sudden changes in GI function
GI system are not typical signs of a cardiac problem.
A patient has been diagnosed with Right-Sided Conges-
tive Heart Failure, and is confused about return of deoxy-
genated blood from the tissue. To clarify the confusion,
Right atrium
which chamber of the heart receives blood from systemic
Rationale: The right atrium is a thin-walled structure that
circulation?
receives deoxygenated blood from all the peripheral tis-
sues by way of the superior and inferior vena cava and
Left atrium
from the heart muscle by way of the coronary sinus.
Right atrium
Right ventricle
Left ventricle
Evaluate blood flow to peripheral tissues.
Rationale: Blood flow to the tissues is measured clinically
It is important that the nurse be knowledgeable about
as the cardiac output, and assists to predict tissue per-
cardiac output in order to:
fusion. Electrical activity is evaluated more ettectively by
EKG. While the cardiac output is important for perfusion
Evaluate blood flow to peripheral tissues.
and oxygenation of tissues, the oxygen saturation would
Determine the electrical activity of the myocardium.
provide more valuable information. Nutritional changes
Provide information on the immediate need for oxygen.
would be targeted to sodium and would depend on
Implement nutritional changes.
symptoms of disease.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Planning
, Cardiovascular NCLEX Questions with Answers Graded A+
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Health Promotion and Maintenance
How to maintain a normal blood pressure.
Nurses can best help older clients prevent hypertension Rationale: Hypertension is a major risk factor for other car-
by teaching: diovascular conditions. In persons older than 50, systolic
blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg is a much more
Low-fat, low-cholesterol diets. important cardiovascular disease risk factor than is dias-
The importance of exercise. tolic blood pressure. The risk of cardiovascular disease,
How to handle stressful situations. beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, doubles with each incre-
How to maintain a normal blood pressure. ment of 20/10 mm Hg. Answers 1, 2, and 3 are important
elements to include in education of a patient with blood
pressure elevation, and are included in the correct answer.
Modification of lifestyle behaviors to help manage hyper-
Alcohol intake with meals
tension does not include which of the following? (Select
\
all that apply.)
Rationale: Weight loss of even 10 pounds; fruits, vegeta-
bles, and whole grains; the DASH diet; and a daily exercise
Weight loss of even 10 pounds
regimen will help reduce high blood pressure. Alcohol
The DASH diet
intake with meals should be reduced to help manage high
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
blood pressure.
Alcohol intake with meals
A patient receiving the drug simvastatin (Zocor) should
be taught this medication helps to prevent coronary heart Controlling lower-density lipoprotein.
disease by:
Rationale: The Heart Protective Study has also shown that
Increasing lower-density lipoprotein. controlling low-density lipoprotein (LDL) with simvastatin
Controlling lower-density lipoprotein. (Zocor) assists in the prevention of coronary heart disease
Increasing triglycerides. by raising HDL. Responses 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
Increasing very low-density lipoprotein.
Which of the following are direct causes of chronic is-
chemic pain? (Select all that apply.)
, Cardiovascular NCLEX Questions with Answers Graded A+
Aortic stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as a vesic-
ular rash along a dermatome, not chronic ischemic pain.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Evaluation
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Physiological Integrity; Physiological
Adaptation
Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as a vesicu-
lar rash along a dermatome, not chronic ischemic pain.
Older clients experiencing anginal pain with complaints of Sublingual nitroglycerin
fatigue or weakness usually are medicated with which of
the following types of medication? Rationale: Angina frequently is managed with sublingual
nitroglycerin, which causes vasodilation and increases
Sublingual nitroglycerin blood flow to the coronary arteries. Cardiac glycosides are
Cardiac glycosides used to treat heart failure, and morphine is used to treat
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors myocardial infarction. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Morphine sulfate are used for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Troponin T levels
Which of the following diagnostic studies most likely
Rationale: CK-MB elevates 4-6 hours after tissue necro-
would confirm a myocardial infarction?
sis. Troponin levels rise 6-8 hours after the infarct (tissue
necrosis) but also can occur with other types of tissue
Serum myoglobin level
damage. Myoglobin also elevates, but to a lesser degree.
Creatinine kinase (CK)
WBC levels elevate with an inflammatory response. Tro-
White blood cell count (WBC)
ponin levels are more elevated than are the other cardiac
Troponin T levels
enzymes, are more specific to cardiac tissue, and rise 6-8
hours after the infarct (tissue necrosis).
Ticarcillin disodium (Ticar)
, A client with post-myocardial infarction develops acute
Rationale: Acute bacterial pericarditis is a complication
bacterial pericarditis. Which of the following medications
that can occur post-myocardial infarction. Acute bacterial
would the physician most likely prescribe as the primary
pericarditis usually requires antibiotics. NSAIDs usually are
drug?
prescribed to relieve pain from the inflammatory process.
If the NSAIDs do not relieve pain within 48 to 96 hours,
Ticarcillin disodium (Ticar)
corticosteroids are ordered. There is no mention of pain in
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
the stem of the question. Trisoralen is used to repigment
Ibuprofen (Motrin)
skin for persons with vitiligo.
Trioxsalen (Trisoralen)
Echocardiogram
Which of the following diagnostic tests is preferred for
evaluating heart valve function?
Rationale: The echocardiogram is the preferred test to
evaluate heart valves, because it allows the visualization of
Chest x-ray
the valves as they open and close. A chest x-ray will de-
Duplex Doppler
termine the size of the heart, the duplex measures blood
Echocardiogram
flow through major arteries, and an electrocardiogram
Electrocardiogram
identifies electrical activity.
An elderly client is being monitored for evidence of con-
Accurately weigh the patient, and report and record the
gestive heart failure. To detect early signs of heart failure,
readings.
the nurse would instruct the certified nursing attendant
(CNA) to do which of the following during care of the
Rationale: Due to fluid accumulation, an expanded blood
patient?
volume can result when the heart fails. Body weight is a
sensitive indicator of water and sodium retention, which
Observe electrocardiogram readings and report devia-
will manifest itself with edema, dyspnea - especially noc-
tions to the nurse.
turnal - and pedal edema. Patients also should be in-
Assist the client with ambulation three times during the
structed about the need to perform daily weights upon
shift.
discharge to monitor body water. It is not within the role
Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes and report each
of the CNA to monitor ECG readings, and ambulation is
reading to the nurse.
not an assessment. Vital signs every 15 minute are not
Accurately weigh the patient, and report and record the
necessary for this level of patient care.
readings.
Which of the following drug classifications should the
nurse question if prescribed for a person with congested
