CV-BC Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification – Complete Actual Test (Questions & Answers with Rationales)

This document is a comprehensive practice exam for the Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC) exam, featuring 150 multiple-choice questions with correct answers and detailed rationales. Topics include: acute pericarditis (diffuse ST-segment elevation with PR-segment depression), chronic venous insufficiency (brownish discoloration – hemosiderin deposition), arterial claudication (bilateral leg pain with walking that resolves within 5 minutes of rest), aortic regurgitation (high-pitched decrescendo diastolic murmur at left sternal border), pulsus paradoxus (systolic BP decreases 12 mmHg during inspiration), troponin (specific for cardiac muscle injury), ankle-brachial index (ABI) interpretation (0.65 indicates moderate to severe PAD), BNP level 1200 pg/mL (severe heart failure), mitral valve prolapse (mid-systolic click followed by late systolic murmur at apex), Beck’s triad for cardiac tamponade (hypotension, distended neck veins, muffled heart sounds), stable angina (chest pressure with walking up one flight of stairs, resolves with rest), mitral regurgitation (high-pitched, blowing, holosystolic murmur at apex radiating to left axilla), pulsus parvus et tardus (weak, delayed carotid upstroke – aortic stenosis), S3 heart sound (rapid ventricular filling in dilated ventricle – heart failure), jugular venous distention at 45 degrees (elevated CVP – right heart failure/fluid overload), Prinzmetal’s (variant) angina (chest pain at rest, often early morning, with ST-segment elevation), peripheral artery disease (dependent rubor and elevation pallor), aortic dissection (sudden, severe, tearing chest pain radiating to back), pulse grading scale (1+ = diminished/thready), abdominal aortic aneurysm (pulsatile periumbilical mass), patent ductus arteriosus (continuous “machinery” murmur at left infraclavicular area), pulse deficit (difference between apical and radial rates – 16), coarctation of the aorta (higher BP in upper extremities than lower), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy syncope (decreased venous return and increased outflow obstruction with exercise), opening snap (high-pitched early diastolic sound – mitral stenosis), right-sided heart failure signs (jugular venous distention, hepatomegaly, peripheral edema), water-hammer (Corrigan’s) pulse (aortic regurgitation), pulmonary embolism ECG finding (sinus tachycardia with nonspecific ST-T changes), hepatojugular reflux (right-sided heart failure), unstable angina (intermittent chest discomfort at rest, 15-20 minutes, resolves spontaneously), nitroglycerin administration (repeat every 5 minutes up to three doses), thrombolytic therapy complication (new onset severe headache – intracranial hemorrhage), post-PCI complication (large hematoma at access site with pulsatile bleeding – arterial bleeding), acute decompensated heart failure priority (high-Fowler’s position – airway/breathing), furosemide monitoring (serum potassium – hypokalemia risk), amiodarone pre-administration assessment (baseline liver and thyroid function tests), warfarin teaching for atrial fibrillation (need regular INR monitoring), lisinopril teaching (report any swelling of lips or tongue – angioedema), heparin aPTT 110 seconds (stop infusion – supratherapeutic, bleeding risk), metoprolol hold parameter (heart rate 60 bpm), IV nitroglycerin hypotension (BP 88/50 – hold infusion), temporary transvenous pacemaker proper capture (pacemaker spike followed by QRS complex), symptomatic bradycardia first-line medication (atropine 0.5 mg IV), stable monomorphic VT with pulse (amiodarone), pulseless ventricular arrest (epinephrine 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes), biphasic defibrillator energy (120-200 J manufacturer-specific), digoxin toxicity (visual disturbances with yellow-green halos), adenosine administration (brief period of asystole followed by sinus rhythm), hydrochlorothiazide teaching (take in morning to avoid nocturia), heart failure daily weight instruction (same time, same scale, minimal clothing), rest pain in PAD (severe PAD – critical limb ischemia), post-femoral catheterization complication (expanding groin hematoma with hypotension – retroperitoneal bleeding), endocarditis systemic embolization (sudden onset left arm weakness – stroke), IV potassium administration guideline (maximum peripheral infusion rate 10 mEq/hour), acute pulmonary edema treatment effectiveness (respiratory rate decreases from 32 to 20), intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) timing (inflates during diastole, deflates during systole), tenecteplase complication (new onset neurologic changes – intracranial hemorrhage), pericarditis pain relief (sitting upright and leaning forward), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy activity restriction (avoid strenuous exercise and competitive athletics), IV amiodarone monitoring (continuous ECG monitoring), heart failure hyponatremia (confusion, lethargy), DASH diet for hypertension (strongest evidence for BP reduction), electrical cardioversion pre-procedure requirement (therapeutic anticoagulation for 3-4 weeks), ICD shock priority action (assess rhythm, vital signs, LOC), severe aortic stenosis symptom requiring urgent evaluation (syncope with exertion), vasovagal syncope teaching (lie or sit down at first sign of symptoms), pulmonary hypertension treatment (endothelin receptor antagonists), nitroprusside cyanide toxicity (tachycardia, confusion, metabolic acidosis), acute limb ischemia priority (notify provider for emergency embolectomy), chronic venous insufficiency leg care (elevate legs above heart level 30 minutes several times daily), atorvastatin teaching (report unexplained muscle pain or weakness – myopathy), cardiac tamponade priority (prepare for pericardiocentesis), heart failure fluid restriction (1.5-2 L/day for advanced HF), IV diltiazem hold parameter (BP 88/50 – hypotension), post-MI mechanical complication (new onset systolic murmur at apex – papillary muscle dysfunction/VSD), rapid weight gain in HF (3 kg over 2 days – notify provider for diuretic adjustment), furosemide therapeutic response (urine output 400 mL over 2 hours), subtherapeutic INR 1.8 on warfarin (administer dose as scheduled – notify provider for possible increase), thrombolytic successful reperfusion (chest pain resolution with 50% ST-segment resolution within 90 minutes), carvedilol therapeutic effectiveness (improved ejection fraction and decreased hospitalizations), pseudoaneurysm after PCI (pulsatile mass with bruit on auscultation), heart failure self-management needing further teaching (“I can skip my diuretic if I feel fine”), hypertension treatment failure (BP 148/92 after 4 weeks – notify provider for medication adjustment), ICD shock follow-up (notify provider for device interrogation), cilostazol effectiveness (improved walking distance), pathologic Q waves (previous myocardial infarction), HFrEF ejection fraction 35% (moderately reduced systolic function), sublingual nitroglycerin adequate dosing (complete pain relief with mild headache), DOAC (apixaban) hold for elective surgery (24-48 hours pre-procedure), DAPT after DES (continue for at least 6-12 months), worsening venous ulcer (refer for infection), spironolactone adverse effect (serum potassium 5.8 mEq/L – hyperkalemia), post-aortic valve replacement symptomatic bradycardia (possible heart block – evaluate), hypertensive urgency (BP 188/110, asymptomatic – restart/intensify oral antihypertensives, arrange follow-up), HF hyponatremia 128 mEq/L (fluid restriction, notify provider), nesiritide therapeutic effect (decreased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, improved symptoms), prophylactic nitroglycerin use (before exercise – correct), AAA rupture sign (sudden severe back/abdominal pain), LDL 130 mg/dL on moderate statin (not at goal – may need high-intensity statin or combination), pericarditis resolution (resolution of chest pain, normalized inflammatory markers), spironolactone question with K+ 6.2 (hold spironolactone), sodium restriction teaching (limit sodium to 2300 mg/day or less), home BP monitoring instruction (sit quietly 5 minutes before measuring), HF fluid intake teaching (limit fluids to 2 L/day, include ice chips/gelatin/soup), PAD foot care (inspect feet daily), warfarin for AF (prevents blood clots that cause stroke), DVT symptom (unilateral leg swelling, warmth, pain), ICD driving restriction (most states restrict driving for at least 1 week after ICD shock), nitroglycerin storage (original glass container, away from light/heat, replace every 6 months), HF alcohol consumption (limit to 1-2 drinks occasionally, abstain if alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy), cholesterol-lowering diet (grilled salmon with steamed vegetables and oatmeal), compression stockings (apply in morning before getting out of bed), DASH diet encouraged foods (fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy), ICD shock response (if fine after one shock,