NUR 425 Exam 3 2024/2025
Questions & Verified Solutions ( A+
Graded 100% Verified)
Table of Contents
Section Topic Question Numbers
I Fundamentals: Conduction & Hemodynamics 1-10
II Cardiac Procedures (Cath, Pacemaker, AICD, CABG) 11-25
III Dysrhythmias: Identification & Management 26-45
IV Angina & Coronary Artery Disease 46-55
V Heart Failure 56-65
VI Inflammatory Heart Disorders 66-75
VII Vascular Disorders (DVT, PAD, AAA) 76-85
VIII Hypertension & Atherosclerosis 86-92
IX Valvular Disease & Cardiac Medications 93-100
X ECG Rhythm Strips (Identification) 101-110
,SECTION I: FUNDAMENTALS - CONDUCTION & HEMODYNAMICS
Question 1: What does smoking do to the heart?
Answer: Narrows blood vessels / damages arteries / creates clots / causes high blood pressure /
causes heart disease
Rationale: Smoking causes vasoconstriction, endothelial damage, increased platelet
aggregation, and elevated blood pressure—all of which accelerate atherosclerosis and increase
cardiovascular risk.
Question 2: What is the path of electrical conduction in the heart?
Answer: SA node → internal nodes of the atria → AV node → bundle of HIS → right and left
bundle branches → Purkinje fibers → ventricles
Rationale: The SA node is the natural pacemaker (60-100 bpm). If it fails, the AV node can
generate impulses at 40-60 bpm. If both fail, ventricular cells can generate at 20-40 bpm .
Question 3: What does the P wave on an ECG represent?
Answer: Atrial depolarization (contraction)
Rationale: The P wave represents electrical activation of the atria, which triggers atrial
contraction. Normal duration is <0.12 seconds (3 small boxes). Absent P waves are seen in A-
fib/flutter.
Question 4: What does the QRS complex on an ECG represent?
Answer: Ventricular depolarization (contraction)
Rationale: The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, which triggers ventricular
contraction. Normal duration is <0.12 seconds (≤3 small boxes). Widened QRS (>0.12 sec)
indicates bundle branch block or ventricular rhythm.
Question 5: What does the T wave on an ECG represent?
, Answer: Ventricular repolarization (relaxation)
Rationale: The T wave represents the recovery period of the ventricles. Peaked T waves suggest
hyperkalemia; inverted T waves suggest ischemia or old MI.
Question 6: What does the U wave on an ECG represent?
Answer: Repolarization of the Purkinje fibers
Rationale: U waves are rarely visible but become prominent in hypokalemia or digoxin toxicity.
They are an important clinical clue for electrolyte imbalances.
Question 7: What is preload?
Answer: The volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole (muscle relaxation) before
the next contraction
Rationale: Increased preload increases stretch on myocardial fibers, leading to more forceful
contraction (Frank-Starling law) and increased cardiac output. Hypovolemia decreases preload
and decreases cardiac output.
Question 8: What is afterload?
Answer: The amount of resistance the heart must overcome to open the aortic valve and push
blood volume out into systemic circulation
Rationale: Increased afterload (vasoconstriction, hypertension) increases the workload on the
heart. Decreased afterload (vasodilation) makes it easier for the heart to eject blood.
Question 9: What is contractility?
Answer: The force of myocardial contraction
Rationale: Greater contractility increases stroke volume and cardiac output. Positive inotropic
agents (digoxin, dobutamine, dopamine) increase contractility. Negative inotropic agents (beta-
blockers, CCBs) decrease contractility.
Question 10: How do preload, afterload, and contractility affect cardiac output?
Questions & Verified Solutions ( A+
Graded 100% Verified)
Table of Contents
Section Topic Question Numbers
I Fundamentals: Conduction & Hemodynamics 1-10
II Cardiac Procedures (Cath, Pacemaker, AICD, CABG) 11-25
III Dysrhythmias: Identification & Management 26-45
IV Angina & Coronary Artery Disease 46-55
V Heart Failure 56-65
VI Inflammatory Heart Disorders 66-75
VII Vascular Disorders (DVT, PAD, AAA) 76-85
VIII Hypertension & Atherosclerosis 86-92
IX Valvular Disease & Cardiac Medications 93-100
X ECG Rhythm Strips (Identification) 101-110
,SECTION I: FUNDAMENTALS - CONDUCTION & HEMODYNAMICS
Question 1: What does smoking do to the heart?
Answer: Narrows blood vessels / damages arteries / creates clots / causes high blood pressure /
causes heart disease
Rationale: Smoking causes vasoconstriction, endothelial damage, increased platelet
aggregation, and elevated blood pressure—all of which accelerate atherosclerosis and increase
cardiovascular risk.
Question 2: What is the path of electrical conduction in the heart?
Answer: SA node → internal nodes of the atria → AV node → bundle of HIS → right and left
bundle branches → Purkinje fibers → ventricles
Rationale: The SA node is the natural pacemaker (60-100 bpm). If it fails, the AV node can
generate impulses at 40-60 bpm. If both fail, ventricular cells can generate at 20-40 bpm .
Question 3: What does the P wave on an ECG represent?
Answer: Atrial depolarization (contraction)
Rationale: The P wave represents electrical activation of the atria, which triggers atrial
contraction. Normal duration is <0.12 seconds (3 small boxes). Absent P waves are seen in A-
fib/flutter.
Question 4: What does the QRS complex on an ECG represent?
Answer: Ventricular depolarization (contraction)
Rationale: The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, which triggers ventricular
contraction. Normal duration is <0.12 seconds (≤3 small boxes). Widened QRS (>0.12 sec)
indicates bundle branch block or ventricular rhythm.
Question 5: What does the T wave on an ECG represent?
, Answer: Ventricular repolarization (relaxation)
Rationale: The T wave represents the recovery period of the ventricles. Peaked T waves suggest
hyperkalemia; inverted T waves suggest ischemia or old MI.
Question 6: What does the U wave on an ECG represent?
Answer: Repolarization of the Purkinje fibers
Rationale: U waves are rarely visible but become prominent in hypokalemia or digoxin toxicity.
They are an important clinical clue for electrolyte imbalances.
Question 7: What is preload?
Answer: The volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole (muscle relaxation) before
the next contraction
Rationale: Increased preload increases stretch on myocardial fibers, leading to more forceful
contraction (Frank-Starling law) and increased cardiac output. Hypovolemia decreases preload
and decreases cardiac output.
Question 8: What is afterload?
Answer: The amount of resistance the heart must overcome to open the aortic valve and push
blood volume out into systemic circulation
Rationale: Increased afterload (vasoconstriction, hypertension) increases the workload on the
heart. Decreased afterload (vasodilation) makes it easier for the heart to eject blood.
Question 9: What is contractility?
Answer: The force of myocardial contraction
Rationale: Greater contractility increases stroke volume and cardiac output. Positive inotropic
agents (digoxin, dobutamine, dopamine) increase contractility. Negative inotropic agents (beta-
blockers, CCBs) decrease contractility.
Question 10: How do preload, afterload, and contractility affect cardiac output?
