NCLEX
CARDIOVASCULAR NCLEX QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2025
Which of the following are most likely to be early signs of cardiac problems in older
persons? (Select all that apply.)
Mental status changes
Agitation
Frequent falls
Sudden changes in GI function - Mental status changes
Agitation
Frequent falls
Rationale: Many cardiovascular functions are complicated in that they involve many
other systems. Mental status changes, agitation, and falls can be early signs of cardiac
problems in the older person. Changes in function in the GI system are not typical signs
of a cardiac problem.
A patient has been diagnosed with Right-Sided Congestive Heart Failure, and is confused
about return of deoxygenated blood from the tissue. To clarify the confusion, which
chamber of the heart receives blood from systemic circulation?
Left atrium
Right atrium
Right ventricle
Left ventricle - Right atrium
Rationale: The right atrium is a thin-walled structure that receives deoxygenated blood
from all the peripheral tissues by way of the superior and inferior vena cava and from the
heart muscle by way of the coronary sinus.
NCLEX
,NCLEX
It is important that the nurse be knowledgeable about cardiac output in order to:
Evaluate blood flow to peripheral tissues.
Determine the electrical activity of the myocardium.
Provide information on the immediate need for oxygen.
Implement nutritional changes. - Evaluate blood flow to peripheral tissues.
Rationale: Blood flow to the tissues is measured clinically as the cardiac output, and
assists to predict tissue perfusion. Electrical activity is evaluated more effectively by
EKG. While the cardiac output is important for perfusion and oxygenation of tissues, the
oxygen saturation would provide more valuable information. Nutritional changes would
be targeted to sodium and would depend on symptoms of disease.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Planning
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Nurses can best help older clients prevent hypertension by teaching:
Low-fat, low-cholesterol diets.
The importance of exercise.
How to handle stressful situations.
How to maintain a normal blood pressure. - How to maintain a normal blood pressure.
Rationale: Hypertension is a major risk factor for other cardiovascular conditions. In
persons older than 50, systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg is a much more
NCLEX
,NCLEX
important cardiovascular disease risk factor than is diastolic blood pressure. The risk of
cardiovascular disease, beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, doubles with each increment of
20/10 mm Hg. Answers 1, 2, and 3 are important elements to include in education of a
patient with blood pressure elevation, and are included in the correct answer.
Modification of lifestyle behaviors to help manage hypertension does not include which
of the following? (Select all that apply.)
Weight loss of even 10 pounds
The DASH diet
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Alcohol intake with meals - Alcohol intake with meals
\
Rationale: Weight loss of even 10 pounds; fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; the
DASH diet; and a daily exercise regimen will help reduce high blood pressure. Alcohol
intake with meals should be reduced to help manage high blood pressure.
A patient receiving the drug simvastatin (Zocor) should be taught this medication helps to
prevent coronary heart disease by:
Increasing lower-density lipoprotein.
Controlling lower-density lipoprotein.
Increasing triglycerides.
Increasing very low-density lipoprotein. - Controlling lower-density lipoprotein.
Rationale: The Heart Protective Study has also shown that controlling low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) with simvastatin (Zocor) assists in the prevention of coronary heart
disease by raising HDL. Responses 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
NCLEX
, NCLEX
Which of the following are direct causes of chronic ischemic pain? (Select all that apply.)
Aortic stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
Herpes zoster (shingles) - Aortic stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as a vesicular rash along a dermatome, not
chronic ischemic pain.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Evaluation
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Physiological Integrity; Physiological Adaptation
Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as a vesicular rash along a dermatome, not
chronic ischemic pain.
Older clients experiencing anginal pain with complaints of fatigue or weakness usually
are medicated with which of the following types of medication?
Sublingual nitroglycerin
Cardiac glycosides
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Morphine sulfate - Sublingual nitroglycerin
NCLEX
CARDIOVASCULAR NCLEX QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2025
Which of the following are most likely to be early signs of cardiac problems in older
persons? (Select all that apply.)
Mental status changes
Agitation
Frequent falls
Sudden changes in GI function - Mental status changes
Agitation
Frequent falls
Rationale: Many cardiovascular functions are complicated in that they involve many
other systems. Mental status changes, agitation, and falls can be early signs of cardiac
problems in the older person. Changes in function in the GI system are not typical signs
of a cardiac problem.
A patient has been diagnosed with Right-Sided Congestive Heart Failure, and is confused
about return of deoxygenated blood from the tissue. To clarify the confusion, which
chamber of the heart receives blood from systemic circulation?
Left atrium
Right atrium
Right ventricle
Left ventricle - Right atrium
Rationale: The right atrium is a thin-walled structure that receives deoxygenated blood
from all the peripheral tissues by way of the superior and inferior vena cava and from the
heart muscle by way of the coronary sinus.
NCLEX
,NCLEX
It is important that the nurse be knowledgeable about cardiac output in order to:
Evaluate blood flow to peripheral tissues.
Determine the electrical activity of the myocardium.
Provide information on the immediate need for oxygen.
Implement nutritional changes. - Evaluate blood flow to peripheral tissues.
Rationale: Blood flow to the tissues is measured clinically as the cardiac output, and
assists to predict tissue perfusion. Electrical activity is evaluated more effectively by
EKG. While the cardiac output is important for perfusion and oxygenation of tissues, the
oxygen saturation would provide more valuable information. Nutritional changes would
be targeted to sodium and would depend on symptoms of disease.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Planning
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Nurses can best help older clients prevent hypertension by teaching:
Low-fat, low-cholesterol diets.
The importance of exercise.
How to handle stressful situations.
How to maintain a normal blood pressure. - How to maintain a normal blood pressure.
Rationale: Hypertension is a major risk factor for other cardiovascular conditions. In
persons older than 50, systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg is a much more
NCLEX
,NCLEX
important cardiovascular disease risk factor than is diastolic blood pressure. The risk of
cardiovascular disease, beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, doubles with each increment of
20/10 mm Hg. Answers 1, 2, and 3 are important elements to include in education of a
patient with blood pressure elevation, and are included in the correct answer.
Modification of lifestyle behaviors to help manage hypertension does not include which
of the following? (Select all that apply.)
Weight loss of even 10 pounds
The DASH diet
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Alcohol intake with meals - Alcohol intake with meals
\
Rationale: Weight loss of even 10 pounds; fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; the
DASH diet; and a daily exercise regimen will help reduce high blood pressure. Alcohol
intake with meals should be reduced to help manage high blood pressure.
A patient receiving the drug simvastatin (Zocor) should be taught this medication helps to
prevent coronary heart disease by:
Increasing lower-density lipoprotein.
Controlling lower-density lipoprotein.
Increasing triglycerides.
Increasing very low-density lipoprotein. - Controlling lower-density lipoprotein.
Rationale: The Heart Protective Study has also shown that controlling low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) with simvastatin (Zocor) assists in the prevention of coronary heart
disease by raising HDL. Responses 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
NCLEX
, NCLEX
Which of the following are direct causes of chronic ischemic pain? (Select all that apply.)
Aortic stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
Herpes zoster (shingles) - Aortic stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as a vesicular rash along a dermatome, not
chronic ischemic pain.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Evaluation
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Physiological Integrity; Physiological Adaptation
Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as a vesicular rash along a dermatome, not
chronic ischemic pain.
Older clients experiencing anginal pain with complaints of fatigue or weakness usually
are medicated with which of the following types of medication?
Sublingual nitroglycerin
Cardiac glycosides
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Morphine sulfate - Sublingual nitroglycerin
NCLEX
