CARDIAC NCLEX COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉Which of the following assessments would be an important finding
for a patient with arterial disease?
Intermittent claudication with exercise
Brownish discoloration around the ankles
Non-pitting edema on the lower extremities
Altered sensation to touch. Answer: Intermittent claudication with
exercise
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is a common finding in persons
with arterial disease, usually due to progression of atherosclerosis
and alteration of tissue perfusion to the extremities. In venous
disease, valves of the veins in the extremities become incompetent,
resulting in higher pressures than normal in the veins. The pressure
is transmitted to the capillaries of the lower extremities, resulting in
thickening and non-pitting edema of tissues around the ankles.
Prolonged thickening results in the red blood cells' being pressed
outside the capillaries. The cells eventually break down, resulting in
,collection of hemosiderin deposits being collected in the area.
Altered sensation to touch would be due to neuropathic changes
commonly found with diabetes mellitus.
◉1) A client is scheduled for a cardiac catherization using a
radiopaque dye. Which of the following assessments is most critical
before the procedure?
Intake and output
Baseline peripheral pulse rates
Height and weight
Allergy to iodine or shellfish. Answer: 4.
This procedure requires an informed consent because it involves
injection of a radiopaque dye into the blood vessel. The risk of
allergic reaction and possible anaphylaxis is serious and must be
assessed before the procedure.
◉2) A client with no history of cardiovascular disease comes into
the ambulatory clinic with flulike symptoms. The client suddenly
complains of chest pain. Which of the following questions would
best help a nurse to discriminate pain caused by a non-cardiac
problem?
"Have you ever had this pain before?"
"Can you describe the pain to me?"
,"Does the pain get worse when you breathe in?"
"Can you rate the pain on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst?".
Answer: 3.
Chest pain is assessed by using the standard pain assessment
parameters. Options 1, 2, and 4 may or may not help discriminate
the origin of pain. Pain of pleuropulmonary origin usually worsens
on inspiration.
◉3) A client with myocardial infarction has been transferred from a
coronary care unit to a general medical unit with cardiac monitoring
via telemetry. A nurse plans to allow for which of the following client
activities?
Strict bed rest for 24 hours after transfer
Bathroom privileges and self-care activities
Unsupervised hallway ambulation with distances under 200 feet
Ad lib activities because the client is monitored.. Answer: 2.
On transfer from the CCU, the client is allowed self-care activities
and bathroom privileges. Supervised ambulation for brief distances
are encouraged, with distances gradually increased (50, 100, 200
feet).
◉4) A nurse notes 2+ bilateral edema in the lower extremities of a
client with myocardial infarction who was admitted 2 days ago. The
nurse would plan to do which of the following next?
, Review the intake and output records for the last 2 days
Change the time of diuretic administration from morning to evening
Request a sodium restriction of 1 g/day from the physician.
Order daily weights starting the following morning.. Answer: 1.
Edema, the accumulation of excess fluid in the interstitial spaces, can
be measured by intake greater than output and by a sudden increase
in weight. Diuretics should be given in the morning whenever
possible to avoid nocturia. Strict sodium restrictions are reserved
for clients with severe symptoms.
◉5) A client is wearing a continuous cardiac monitor, which begins
to sound its alarm. A nurse sees no electrocardiogram complexes on
the screen. The first action of the nurse is to:
Check the client status and lead placement
Press the recorder button on the electrocardiogram console.
Call the physician
Call a code blue. Answer: 1.
Sudden loss of electrocardiogram complexes indicates ventricular
asystole or possible electrode displacement. Accurate assessment of
the client and equipment is necessary to determine the cause and
identify the appropriate intervention.
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉Which of the following assessments would be an important finding
for a patient with arterial disease?
Intermittent claudication with exercise
Brownish discoloration around the ankles
Non-pitting edema on the lower extremities
Altered sensation to touch. Answer: Intermittent claudication with
exercise
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is a common finding in persons
with arterial disease, usually due to progression of atherosclerosis
and alteration of tissue perfusion to the extremities. In venous
disease, valves of the veins in the extremities become incompetent,
resulting in higher pressures than normal in the veins. The pressure
is transmitted to the capillaries of the lower extremities, resulting in
thickening and non-pitting edema of tissues around the ankles.
Prolonged thickening results in the red blood cells' being pressed
outside the capillaries. The cells eventually break down, resulting in
,collection of hemosiderin deposits being collected in the area.
Altered sensation to touch would be due to neuropathic changes
commonly found with diabetes mellitus.
◉1) A client is scheduled for a cardiac catherization using a
radiopaque dye. Which of the following assessments is most critical
before the procedure?
Intake and output
Baseline peripheral pulse rates
Height and weight
Allergy to iodine or shellfish. Answer: 4.
This procedure requires an informed consent because it involves
injection of a radiopaque dye into the blood vessel. The risk of
allergic reaction and possible anaphylaxis is serious and must be
assessed before the procedure.
◉2) A client with no history of cardiovascular disease comes into
the ambulatory clinic with flulike symptoms. The client suddenly
complains of chest pain. Which of the following questions would
best help a nurse to discriminate pain caused by a non-cardiac
problem?
"Have you ever had this pain before?"
"Can you describe the pain to me?"
,"Does the pain get worse when you breathe in?"
"Can you rate the pain on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst?".
Answer: 3.
Chest pain is assessed by using the standard pain assessment
parameters. Options 1, 2, and 4 may or may not help discriminate
the origin of pain. Pain of pleuropulmonary origin usually worsens
on inspiration.
◉3) A client with myocardial infarction has been transferred from a
coronary care unit to a general medical unit with cardiac monitoring
via telemetry. A nurse plans to allow for which of the following client
activities?
Strict bed rest for 24 hours after transfer
Bathroom privileges and self-care activities
Unsupervised hallway ambulation with distances under 200 feet
Ad lib activities because the client is monitored.. Answer: 2.
On transfer from the CCU, the client is allowed self-care activities
and bathroom privileges. Supervised ambulation for brief distances
are encouraged, with distances gradually increased (50, 100, 200
feet).
◉4) A nurse notes 2+ bilateral edema in the lower extremities of a
client with myocardial infarction who was admitted 2 days ago. The
nurse would plan to do which of the following next?
, Review the intake and output records for the last 2 days
Change the time of diuretic administration from morning to evening
Request a sodium restriction of 1 g/day from the physician.
Order daily weights starting the following morning.. Answer: 1.
Edema, the accumulation of excess fluid in the interstitial spaces, can
be measured by intake greater than output and by a sudden increase
in weight. Diuretics should be given in the morning whenever
possible to avoid nocturia. Strict sodium restrictions are reserved
for clients with severe symptoms.
◉5) A client is wearing a continuous cardiac monitor, which begins
to sound its alarm. A nurse sees no electrocardiogram complexes on
the screen. The first action of the nurse is to:
Check the client status and lead placement
Press the recorder button on the electrocardiogram console.
Call the physician
Call a code blue. Answer: 1.
Sudden loss of electrocardiogram complexes indicates ventricular
asystole or possible electrode displacement. Accurate assessment of
the client and equipment is necessary to determine the cause and
identify the appropriate intervention.
