Saunders NCLEX Cardio Exam Prep
SAUNDERS NCLEX CARDIO EXAM PREP NEWEST 2026/2027 ACTUAL
EXAM COMPLETE 150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |ALREADY GRADED
A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
A client with a first-degree heart block has an electrocardiogram (ECG) taken
during an episode of chest pain. The nurse knows that which ECG finding would
be an indication of first-degree heart block?
1.
Presence of Q waves
2.
Tall, peaked T waves
3.
Prolonged PR interval
4.
Widened QRS complex - Correct Answer-3
A prolonged PR interval indicates first-degree heart block. The development of Q
waves indicates myocardial necrosis. Tall, peaked T waves may indicate
hyperkalemia. A widened QRS complex indicates a delay in intraventricular
1|Page
, Saunders NCLEX Cardio Exam Prep
conduction, such as bundle branch block. An ECG taken during a pain episode is
intended to capture ischemic changes, which also include ST-segment elevation or
depression.
A client with no history of heart disease has experienced acute myocardial
infarction and has been given thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen
activator. What assessment finding should the nurse identify as the most likely
indicator that the client is experiencing complications of this therapy?
1.
Tarry stools
2.
Nausea and vomiting
3.
Orange-colored urine
4.
Decreased urine output - Correct Answer-1
Thrombolytic agents are used to dissolve existing thrombi, and the nurse should
monitor the client for obvious or occult signs of bleeding. This includes assessment
for obvious bleeding within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, urinary system, and skin.
It also includes Hematest testing of secretions for occult blood. The correct option
is the only one that indicates the presence of blood.
2|Page
, Saunders NCLEX Cardio Exam Prep
A hospitalized client has been diagnosed with heart failure as a complication of
hypertension. In explaining the disease process to the client, the nurse identifies
which chamber of the heart as primarily responsible for the symptoms?
1.
Left atrium
2.
Right atrium
3.
Left ventricle
4.
Right ventricle - Correct Answer-3
Hypertension increases the workload of the left ventricle because the ventricle has
to pump the stroke volume against increased resistance (afterload) in the major
blood vessels. Over time this causes the left ventricle to fail, leading to signs and
symptoms of heart failure. Options 1, 2, and 4 are not the chambers that are
primarily responsible for this disease process although these chambers may
become affected as the disease becomes more
3|Page
, Saunders NCLEX Cardio Exam Prep
A client has experienced a myocardial infarction. The nurse plans care for the
client, knowing that the person's chest pain is caused by tissue hypoxia in which
layer of the heart?
1.
Myocardium
2.
Endocardium
3.
Parietal pericardium
4.
Visceral pericardium - Correct Answer-1
The myocardial layer of the heart is damaged when a client experiences a
myocardial infarction. This is the middle layer that contains the striated muscle
fibers responsible for the contractile force of the heart. The endocardium is the
thin inner layer of cardiac tissue. The parietal pericardium and visceral
pericardium are outer layers that protect the heart from injury and infection.
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of mitral stenosis. The
narrowing of this valve will impede circulation of blood through which structures?
4|Page
SAUNDERS NCLEX CARDIO EXAM PREP NEWEST 2026/2027 ACTUAL
EXAM COMPLETE 150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |ALREADY GRADED
A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
A client with a first-degree heart block has an electrocardiogram (ECG) taken
during an episode of chest pain. The nurse knows that which ECG finding would
be an indication of first-degree heart block?
1.
Presence of Q waves
2.
Tall, peaked T waves
3.
Prolonged PR interval
4.
Widened QRS complex - Correct Answer-3
A prolonged PR interval indicates first-degree heart block. The development of Q
waves indicates myocardial necrosis. Tall, peaked T waves may indicate
hyperkalemia. A widened QRS complex indicates a delay in intraventricular
1|Page
, Saunders NCLEX Cardio Exam Prep
conduction, such as bundle branch block. An ECG taken during a pain episode is
intended to capture ischemic changes, which also include ST-segment elevation or
depression.
A client with no history of heart disease has experienced acute myocardial
infarction and has been given thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen
activator. What assessment finding should the nurse identify as the most likely
indicator that the client is experiencing complications of this therapy?
1.
Tarry stools
2.
Nausea and vomiting
3.
Orange-colored urine
4.
Decreased urine output - Correct Answer-1
Thrombolytic agents are used to dissolve existing thrombi, and the nurse should
monitor the client for obvious or occult signs of bleeding. This includes assessment
for obvious bleeding within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, urinary system, and skin.
It also includes Hematest testing of secretions for occult blood. The correct option
is the only one that indicates the presence of blood.
2|Page
, Saunders NCLEX Cardio Exam Prep
A hospitalized client has been diagnosed with heart failure as a complication of
hypertension. In explaining the disease process to the client, the nurse identifies
which chamber of the heart as primarily responsible for the symptoms?
1.
Left atrium
2.
Right atrium
3.
Left ventricle
4.
Right ventricle - Correct Answer-3
Hypertension increases the workload of the left ventricle because the ventricle has
to pump the stroke volume against increased resistance (afterload) in the major
blood vessels. Over time this causes the left ventricle to fail, leading to signs and
symptoms of heart failure. Options 1, 2, and 4 are not the chambers that are
primarily responsible for this disease process although these chambers may
become affected as the disease becomes more
3|Page
, Saunders NCLEX Cardio Exam Prep
A client has experienced a myocardial infarction. The nurse plans care for the
client, knowing that the person's chest pain is caused by tissue hypoxia in which
layer of the heart?
1.
Myocardium
2.
Endocardium
3.
Parietal pericardium
4.
Visceral pericardium - Correct Answer-1
The myocardial layer of the heart is damaged when a client experiences a
myocardial infarction. This is the middle layer that contains the striated muscle
fibers responsible for the contractile force of the heart. The endocardium is the
thin inner layer of cardiac tissue. The parietal pericardium and visceral
pericardium are outer layers that protect the heart from injury and infection.
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of mitral stenosis. The
narrowing of this valve will impede circulation of blood through which structures?
4|Page
