CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
&
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Exam Review | 100 Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales
Academic Year: 2025/2026
Content: Cardiac Nursing & Health Promotion
Format: 100 Multiple-Choice Questions
Alignment: AHA/ACC Guidelines, NCLEX-RN Test Plan
Aligned with AHA/ACC Guidelines, ACSM Recommendations, AACN Standards, and NCSBN NCLEX-RN Test Plan
Cardiovascular Health & Stress Management Exam Review | Page 1
,Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Section I: Cardiovascular Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology .............................................. 4
Section II: Stress Physiology & Evidence-Based Interventions ...................................................... 12
Section III: Lifestyle Modification, Pharmacology & Patient Education ...................................... 20
Section IV: Risk Stratification, Monitoring & Legal/Ethical Considerations ............................... 28
Quick-Reference Answer Key ............................................................................................................ 36
References ............................................................................................................................................ 37
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Section I: Cardiovascular Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology .............................................. 4
Section II: Stress Physiology & Evidence-Based Interventions ...................................................... 12
Section III: Lifestyle Modification, Pharmacology & Patient Education ...................................... 20
Section IV: Risk Stratification, Monitoring & Legal/Ethical Considerations ............................... 28
Quick-Reference Answer Key ............................................................................................................ 36
References ............................................................................................................................................ 37
Cardiovascular Health & Stress Management Exam Review | Page 2
,Introduction
This exam review provides 100 practice questions aligned with cardiovascular nursing
competency requirements and stress management principles essential for holistic cardiac care.
Questions are organized into four comprehensive sections covering cardiovascular anatomy,
physiology, and pathophysiology; stress physiology and evidence-based interventions; lifestyle
modification, pharmacology, and patient education; and risk stratification, monitoring, and
legal/ethical considerations. Each question includes four answer options (A-D) with the correct
answer in bold cyan and a detailed rationale explaining the underlying clinical reasoning. Content
reflects current AHA/ACC clinical practice guidelines, ACSM physical activity recommendations,
AACN procedural standards, and the NCSBN NCLEX-RN test plan framework.
This review is designed for nursing students preparing for the NCLEX-RN examination,
practicing nurses seeking cardiovascular continuing education, and healthcare professionals interested
in integrating stress management into cardiac care. Questions emphasize critical thinking, clinical
application, patient safety, and evidence-based decision-making consistent with current best practices.
Content Domain Questions Approx. Weight
Cardiovascular Anatomy, 1–25 25%
Physiology & Pathophysiology
Stress Physiology & Evidence- 26–50 25%
Based Interventions
Lifestyle Modification, 51–75 25%
Pharmacology & Patient
Education
Risk Stratification, Monitoring & 76–100 25%
Legal/Ethical
Cardiovascular Health & Stress Management Exam Review | Page 3
, Section I: Cardiovascular Anatomy, Physiology &
Pathophysiology
This section covers the cardiac cycle, conduction system, hemodynamic principles including preload,
afterload, and contractility, coronary circulation, coronary artery disease, angina, myocardial
infarction, heart failure classifications, hypertension staging, arrhythmia recognition, ECG basics,
valvular heart disease, and acute cardiovascular emergencies.
1. The sinoatrial (SA) node is often referred to as the natural pacemaker of the heart because it:
A) Generates impulses at 40-60 beats per minute B) Is located in the interventricular septum
C) Normally initiates the heartbeat with the D) Delays impulse conduction to allow
fastest inherent rate of 60-100 bpm complete atrial contraction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The SA node, located in the upper right atrium near the superior vena cava, has the fastest inherent
firing rate of 60-100 impulses per minute and normally serves as the primary pacemaker of the heart. The AV
node generates impulses at 40-60 bpm (Option A). The SA node is in the right atrium, not the interventricular
septum (Option B). The AV node delay (Option D) allows atria to contract before ventricular depolarization,
but this function belongs to the AV node. Understanding pacemaker hierarchy is fundamental for cardiac
nursing.
2. Cardiac output (CO) is calculated using which formula?
A) CO = Heart Rate x Systemic Vascular B) CO = Stroke Volume x Heart Rate
Resistance
C) CO = Preload x Afterload D) CO = Mean Arterial Pressure x Central
Venous Pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiac output equals stroke volume multiplied by heart rate (CO = SV x HR). Normal CO is
approximately 4-8 L/min. This formula reflects that CO depends on both the volume of blood ejected per beat
(stroke volume) and the number of beats per minute. Option A incorrectly describes factors affecting blood
pressure. Option C describes two determinants of stroke volume, not CO directly. Option D has no clinical
relevance to CO calculation. Mastery of this formula is essential for understanding hemodynamic monitoring.
3. Starling's law of the heart states that:
A) Increased afterload decreases stroke volume B) The force of myocardial contraction is
proportionally directly proportional to the initial muscle
fiber length (preload)
C) Cardiac output is independent of venous D) Sympathetic stimulation decreases
return myocardial contractility
Correct Answer: B
Cardiovascular Health & Stress Management Exam Review | Page 4
&
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Exam Review | 100 Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales
Academic Year: 2025/2026
Content: Cardiac Nursing & Health Promotion
Format: 100 Multiple-Choice Questions
Alignment: AHA/ACC Guidelines, NCLEX-RN Test Plan
Aligned with AHA/ACC Guidelines, ACSM Recommendations, AACN Standards, and NCSBN NCLEX-RN Test Plan
Cardiovascular Health & Stress Management Exam Review | Page 1
,Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Section I: Cardiovascular Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology .............................................. 4
Section II: Stress Physiology & Evidence-Based Interventions ...................................................... 12
Section III: Lifestyle Modification, Pharmacology & Patient Education ...................................... 20
Section IV: Risk Stratification, Monitoring & Legal/Ethical Considerations ............................... 28
Quick-Reference Answer Key ............................................................................................................ 36
References ............................................................................................................................................ 37
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Section I: Cardiovascular Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology .............................................. 4
Section II: Stress Physiology & Evidence-Based Interventions ...................................................... 12
Section III: Lifestyle Modification, Pharmacology & Patient Education ...................................... 20
Section IV: Risk Stratification, Monitoring & Legal/Ethical Considerations ............................... 28
Quick-Reference Answer Key ............................................................................................................ 36
References ............................................................................................................................................ 37
Cardiovascular Health & Stress Management Exam Review | Page 2
,Introduction
This exam review provides 100 practice questions aligned with cardiovascular nursing
competency requirements and stress management principles essential for holistic cardiac care.
Questions are organized into four comprehensive sections covering cardiovascular anatomy,
physiology, and pathophysiology; stress physiology and evidence-based interventions; lifestyle
modification, pharmacology, and patient education; and risk stratification, monitoring, and
legal/ethical considerations. Each question includes four answer options (A-D) with the correct
answer in bold cyan and a detailed rationale explaining the underlying clinical reasoning. Content
reflects current AHA/ACC clinical practice guidelines, ACSM physical activity recommendations,
AACN procedural standards, and the NCSBN NCLEX-RN test plan framework.
This review is designed for nursing students preparing for the NCLEX-RN examination,
practicing nurses seeking cardiovascular continuing education, and healthcare professionals interested
in integrating stress management into cardiac care. Questions emphasize critical thinking, clinical
application, patient safety, and evidence-based decision-making consistent with current best practices.
Content Domain Questions Approx. Weight
Cardiovascular Anatomy, 1–25 25%
Physiology & Pathophysiology
Stress Physiology & Evidence- 26–50 25%
Based Interventions
Lifestyle Modification, 51–75 25%
Pharmacology & Patient
Education
Risk Stratification, Monitoring & 76–100 25%
Legal/Ethical
Cardiovascular Health & Stress Management Exam Review | Page 3
, Section I: Cardiovascular Anatomy, Physiology &
Pathophysiology
This section covers the cardiac cycle, conduction system, hemodynamic principles including preload,
afterload, and contractility, coronary circulation, coronary artery disease, angina, myocardial
infarction, heart failure classifications, hypertension staging, arrhythmia recognition, ECG basics,
valvular heart disease, and acute cardiovascular emergencies.
1. The sinoatrial (SA) node is often referred to as the natural pacemaker of the heart because it:
A) Generates impulses at 40-60 beats per minute B) Is located in the interventricular septum
C) Normally initiates the heartbeat with the D) Delays impulse conduction to allow
fastest inherent rate of 60-100 bpm complete atrial contraction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The SA node, located in the upper right atrium near the superior vena cava, has the fastest inherent
firing rate of 60-100 impulses per minute and normally serves as the primary pacemaker of the heart. The AV
node generates impulses at 40-60 bpm (Option A). The SA node is in the right atrium, not the interventricular
septum (Option B). The AV node delay (Option D) allows atria to contract before ventricular depolarization,
but this function belongs to the AV node. Understanding pacemaker hierarchy is fundamental for cardiac
nursing.
2. Cardiac output (CO) is calculated using which formula?
A) CO = Heart Rate x Systemic Vascular B) CO = Stroke Volume x Heart Rate
Resistance
C) CO = Preload x Afterload D) CO = Mean Arterial Pressure x Central
Venous Pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiac output equals stroke volume multiplied by heart rate (CO = SV x HR). Normal CO is
approximately 4-8 L/min. This formula reflects that CO depends on both the volume of blood ejected per beat
(stroke volume) and the number of beats per minute. Option A incorrectly describes factors affecting blood
pressure. Option C describes two determinants of stroke volume, not CO directly. Option D has no clinical
relevance to CO calculation. Mastery of this formula is essential for understanding hemodynamic monitoring.
3. Starling's law of the heart states that:
A) Increased afterload decreases stroke volume B) The force of myocardial contraction is
proportionally directly proportional to the initial muscle
fiber length (preload)
C) Cardiac output is independent of venous D) Sympathetic stimulation decreases
return myocardial contractility
Correct Answer: B
Cardiovascular Health & Stress Management Exam Review | Page 4
