ATI Adult Medical-Surgical
Cardiovascular Disorders Exam –
Unit 4 | 2025/2026 Latest Edition
Real Exam-Based Questions and Verified Answers | 100%
Accuracy | ATI Adult Med-Surg Mastery | Graded A+
Introduction
This resource includes 90 verified questions and correct answers from the ATI Adult
Medical-Surgical Nursing Unit 4: Cardiovascular Disorders, updated for the 2025/2026
cycle. It covers topics such as hypertension, heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction,
dysrhythmias, cardiac diagnostics, and nursing interventions.
Answer Format
All correct answers are clearly marked in bold and green to enhance review efficiency and
support confident preparation for ATI exams.
Questions
1. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected myocardial infarction.
Which symptom is most indicative of this condition?
a) Nausea and vomiting
b) Chest pain radiating to the left arm
c) Fever and chills
d) Shortness of breath without chest pain
b) Chest pain radiating to the left arm
Rationale: Chest pain radiating to the left arm is a hallmark symptom of myocardial
infarction due to cardiac ischemia.
2. A client is prescribed nitroglycerin for angina. What is the priority
teaching point?
a) Take the medication with food to avoid nausea.
b) Sit or lie down when taking to prevent dizziness.
c) Store the medication in a warm, dry place.
d) Take up to five doses every 5 minutes if pain persists.
b) Sit or lie down when taking to prevent dizziness.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension, leading to dizziness or fainting, so sitting or
lying down is critical.
,3. Which laboratory value is most specific for confirming a myocardial
infarction?
a) Creatine kinase (CK)
b) Troponin I
c) Myoglobin
d) C-reactive protein (CRP)
b) Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is highly specific for cardiac muscle damage and is the gold standard
for diagnosing myocardial infarction.
4. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. What is the
primary purpose of this medication?
a) To increase blood pressure
b) To reduce fluid overload
c) To improve heart rate
d) To prevent blood clots
b) To reduce fluid overload
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, reduces fluid overload in heart failure by promoting
diuresis.
5. A nurse is monitoring a client post-percutaneous coronary
intervention (PCI). Which finding requires immediate action?
a) Heart rate of 88 bpm
b) Bleeding at the catheter insertion site
c) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
d) Mild discomfort at the insertion site
b) Bleeding at the catheter insertion site
Rationale: Bleeding at the insertion site post-PCI indicates a potential vascular complication
requiring immediate intervention.
6. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. What is the
therapeutic INR range for this condition?
a) 1.0–1.5
b) 2.0–3.0
c) 3.5–4.5
d) 4.0–5.0
b) 2.0–3.0
Rationale: The therapeutic INR range for atrial fibrillation is 2.0–3.0 to prevent
thromboembolism.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client with
suspected aortic aneurysm?
a) Hypertension
b) Pulsating abdominal mass
, c) Peripheral edema
d) Heart murmur
b) Pulsating abdominal mass
Rationale: A pulsating abdominal mass is a critical sign of an abdominal aortic aneurysm,
indicating potential rupture risk.
8. A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. What is the
primary action of this medication?
a) Blocks calcium channels
b) Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme
c) Promotes diuresis
d) Dilates coronary arteries
b) Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, reduces blood pressure by inhibiting angiotensin II
formation.
9. A nurse is teaching a client with heart failure about dietary
restrictions. Which food should be avoided?
a) Fresh vegetables
b) Canned soups
c) Whole grains
d) Lean proteins
b) Canned soups
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium, which can exacerbate fluid retention in heart
failure.
10. What is the priority nursing action for a client experiencing
ventricular tachycardia?
a) Administer oxygen
b) Prepare for defibrillation
c) Check blood pressure
d) Administer beta-blockers
b) Prepare for defibrillation
Rationale: Ventricular tachycardia is a life-threatening arrhythmia requiring immediate
defibrillation if the client is unstable.
11. A client with peripheral artery disease reports leg pain when walking.
This symptom is known as:
a) Angina pectoris
b) Claudication
c) Orthopnea
d) Syncope
b) Claudication
Cardiovascular Disorders Exam –
Unit 4 | 2025/2026 Latest Edition
Real Exam-Based Questions and Verified Answers | 100%
Accuracy | ATI Adult Med-Surg Mastery | Graded A+
Introduction
This resource includes 90 verified questions and correct answers from the ATI Adult
Medical-Surgical Nursing Unit 4: Cardiovascular Disorders, updated for the 2025/2026
cycle. It covers topics such as hypertension, heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction,
dysrhythmias, cardiac diagnostics, and nursing interventions.
Answer Format
All correct answers are clearly marked in bold and green to enhance review efficiency and
support confident preparation for ATI exams.
Questions
1. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected myocardial infarction.
Which symptom is most indicative of this condition?
a) Nausea and vomiting
b) Chest pain radiating to the left arm
c) Fever and chills
d) Shortness of breath without chest pain
b) Chest pain radiating to the left arm
Rationale: Chest pain radiating to the left arm is a hallmark symptom of myocardial
infarction due to cardiac ischemia.
2. A client is prescribed nitroglycerin for angina. What is the priority
teaching point?
a) Take the medication with food to avoid nausea.
b) Sit or lie down when taking to prevent dizziness.
c) Store the medication in a warm, dry place.
d) Take up to five doses every 5 minutes if pain persists.
b) Sit or lie down when taking to prevent dizziness.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension, leading to dizziness or fainting, so sitting or
lying down is critical.
,3. Which laboratory value is most specific for confirming a myocardial
infarction?
a) Creatine kinase (CK)
b) Troponin I
c) Myoglobin
d) C-reactive protein (CRP)
b) Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is highly specific for cardiac muscle damage and is the gold standard
for diagnosing myocardial infarction.
4. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. What is the
primary purpose of this medication?
a) To increase blood pressure
b) To reduce fluid overload
c) To improve heart rate
d) To prevent blood clots
b) To reduce fluid overload
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, reduces fluid overload in heart failure by promoting
diuresis.
5. A nurse is monitoring a client post-percutaneous coronary
intervention (PCI). Which finding requires immediate action?
a) Heart rate of 88 bpm
b) Bleeding at the catheter insertion site
c) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
d) Mild discomfort at the insertion site
b) Bleeding at the catheter insertion site
Rationale: Bleeding at the insertion site post-PCI indicates a potential vascular complication
requiring immediate intervention.
6. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. What is the
therapeutic INR range for this condition?
a) 1.0–1.5
b) 2.0–3.0
c) 3.5–4.5
d) 4.0–5.0
b) 2.0–3.0
Rationale: The therapeutic INR range for atrial fibrillation is 2.0–3.0 to prevent
thromboembolism.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client with
suspected aortic aneurysm?
a) Hypertension
b) Pulsating abdominal mass
, c) Peripheral edema
d) Heart murmur
b) Pulsating abdominal mass
Rationale: A pulsating abdominal mass is a critical sign of an abdominal aortic aneurysm,
indicating potential rupture risk.
8. A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. What is the
primary action of this medication?
a) Blocks calcium channels
b) Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme
c) Promotes diuresis
d) Dilates coronary arteries
b) Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, reduces blood pressure by inhibiting angiotensin II
formation.
9. A nurse is teaching a client with heart failure about dietary
restrictions. Which food should be avoided?
a) Fresh vegetables
b) Canned soups
c) Whole grains
d) Lean proteins
b) Canned soups
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium, which can exacerbate fluid retention in heart
failure.
10. What is the priority nursing action for a client experiencing
ventricular tachycardia?
a) Administer oxygen
b) Prepare for defibrillation
c) Check blood pressure
d) Administer beta-blockers
b) Prepare for defibrillation
Rationale: Ventricular tachycardia is a life-threatening arrhythmia requiring immediate
defibrillation if the client is unstable.
11. A client with peripheral artery disease reports leg pain when walking.
This symptom is known as:
a) Angina pectoris
b) Claudication
c) Orthopnea
d) Syncope
b) Claudication
