CARDIAC NCLEX ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉A patient has been diagnosed with Right-Sided Congestive Heart
Failure, and is confused about return of deoxygenated blood from
the tissue. To clarify the confusion, which chamber of the heart
receives blood from systemic circulation?
Left atrium
Right atrium
Right ventricle
Left ventricle. Answer: Right atrium
Rationale: The right atrium is a thin-walled structure that receives
deoxygenated blood from all the peripheral tissues by way of the
superior and inferior vena cava and from the heart muscle by way of
the coronary sinus.
◉It is important that the nurse be knowledgeable about cardiac
output in order to:
,Evaluate blood flow to peripheral tissues.
Determine the electrical activity of the myocardium.
Provide information on the immediate need for oxygen.
Implement nutritional changes.. Answer: Evaluate blood flow to
peripheral tissues.
Rationale: Blood flow to the tissues is measured clinically as the
cardiac output, and assists to predict tissue perfusion. Electrical
activity is evaluated more effectively by EKG. While the cardiac
output is important for perfusion and oxygenation of tissues, the
oxygen saturation would provide more valuable information.
Nutritional changes would be targeted to sodium and would depend
on symptoms of disease.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Planning
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Health Promotion and Maintenance
◉Nurses can best help older clients prevent hypertension by
teaching:
Low-fat, low-cholesterol diets.
The importance of exercise.
How to handle stressful situations.
,How to maintain a normal blood pressure.. Answer: How to
maintain a normal blood pressure.
Rationale: Hypertension is a major risk factor for other
cardiovascular conditions. In persons older than 50, systolic blood
pressure greater than 140 mm Hg is a much more important
cardiovascular disease risk factor than is diastolic blood pressure.
The risk of cardiovascular disease, beginning at 115/75 mm Hg,
doubles with each increment 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 hypertension
does not include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
Weight loss of even 10 pounds
The DASH diet
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Alcohol intake with meals. Answer: Alcohol intake with meals
\
Rationale: Weight loss of even 10 pounds; fruits, vegetables, and
whole grains; the DASH diet; and a daily exercise regimen will help
reduce high blood pressure. Alcohol intake with meals should be
reduced to help manage high blood pressure.
, ◉A patient receiving the drug simvastatin (Zocor) should be taught
this medication helps to prevent coronary heart disease by:
Increasing lower-density lipoprotein.
Controlling lower-density lipoprotein.
Increasing triglycerides.
Increasing very low-density lipoprotein.. Answer: Controlling lower-
density lipoprotein.
Rationale: The Heart Protective Study has also shown that
controlling low-density lipoprotein (LDL) with simvastatin (Zocor)
assists in the prevention of coronary heart disease by raising HDL.
Responses 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
◉Which of the following are direct causes of chronic ischemic pain?
(Select all that apply.)
Aortic stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
Herpes zoster (shingles). Answer: Aortic stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉A patient has been diagnosed with Right-Sided Congestive Heart
Failure, and is confused about return of deoxygenated blood from
the tissue. To clarify the confusion, which chamber of the heart
receives blood from systemic circulation?
Left atrium
Right atrium
Right ventricle
Left ventricle. Answer: Right atrium
Rationale: The right atrium is a thin-walled structure that receives
deoxygenated blood from all the peripheral tissues by way of the
superior and inferior vena cava and from the heart muscle by way of
the coronary sinus.
◉It is important that the nurse be knowledgeable about cardiac
output in order to:
,Evaluate blood flow to peripheral tissues.
Determine the electrical activity of the myocardium.
Provide information on the immediate need for oxygen.
Implement nutritional changes.. Answer: Evaluate blood flow to
peripheral tissues.
Rationale: Blood flow to the tissues is measured clinically as the
cardiac output, and assists to predict tissue perfusion. Electrical
activity is evaluated more effectively by EKG. While the cardiac
output is important for perfusion and oxygenation of tissues, the
oxygen saturation would provide more valuable information.
Nutritional changes would be targeted to sodium and would depend
on symptoms of disease.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Planning
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Health Promotion and Maintenance
◉Nurses can best help older clients prevent hypertension by
teaching:
Low-fat, low-cholesterol diets.
The importance of exercise.
How to handle stressful situations.
,How to maintain a normal blood pressure.. Answer: How to
maintain a normal blood pressure.
Rationale: Hypertension is a major risk factor for other
cardiovascular conditions. In persons older than 50, systolic blood
pressure greater than 140 mm Hg is a much more important
cardiovascular disease risk factor than is diastolic blood pressure.
The risk of cardiovascular disease, beginning at 115/75 mm Hg,
doubles with each increment 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 hypertension
does not include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
Weight loss of even 10 pounds
The DASH diet
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Alcohol intake with meals. Answer: Alcohol intake with meals
\
Rationale: Weight loss of even 10 pounds; fruits, vegetables, and
whole grains; the DASH diet; and a daily exercise regimen will help
reduce high blood pressure. Alcohol intake with meals should be
reduced to help manage high blood pressure.
, ◉A patient receiving the drug simvastatin (Zocor) should be taught
this medication helps to prevent coronary heart disease by:
Increasing lower-density lipoprotein.
Controlling lower-density lipoprotein.
Increasing triglycerides.
Increasing very low-density lipoprotein.. Answer: Controlling lower-
density lipoprotein.
Rationale: The Heart Protective Study has also shown that
controlling low-density lipoprotein (LDL) with simvastatin (Zocor)
assists in the prevention of coronary heart disease by raising HDL.
Responses 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
◉Which of the following are direct causes of chronic ischemic pain?
(Select all that apply.)
Aortic stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
Herpes zoster (shingles). Answer: Aortic stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
