1
CARDIAC NCLEX EXAM /NCLEX CARDIAC EXAM
ACTUAL EXAM 140+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
1.
A 68-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease presents to the
emergency department with chest pain radiating to his left arm, shortness
of breath, and diaphoresis. His ECG shows ST elevation in leads II, III, and
aVF. The nurse initiates oxygen therapy and notifies the provider. Which of
the following should the nurse anticipate administering immediately?
A. Nitroglycerin sublingual
B. Morphine IV
C. Aspirin 325 mg orally
D. Atorvastatin 80 mg orally
Correct Answer: C. Aspirin 325 mg orally
,2
Rationale: The first-line treatment for suspected myocardial infarction (MI)
includes administration of aspirin to inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce
myocardial damage. In the presence of ST elevation MI (STEMI),
immediate aspirin administration improves outcomes. Nitroglycerin and
morphine may also be used, but aspirin should be given first if not
contraindicated. Atorvastatin is part of long-term management but not
emergent care.
(Source: Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 11th Ed.)
2.
A nurse is caring for a client post-cardiac catheterization via the right
femoral artery. Two hours later, the client complains of numbness and pain
in the right leg. The nurse notes pallor and absent dorsalis pedis pulse on
the affected side. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Apply warm compresses to the site
B. Document the findings and reassess in 30 minutes
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Elevate the affected leg to improve circulation
,3
Correct Answer: C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: These signs—pain, pallor, pulselessness, and numbness—
suggest compromised circulation, possibly due to arterial occlusion or
hematoma. This is a medical emergency. Prompt notification of the
provider is necessary to prevent permanent tissue damage. Delaying
intervention or using heat/elevation could worsen ischemia.
(Source: Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing,
15th Ed.)
3.
A nurse is preparing discharge teaching for a client with chronic heart
failure who is being prescribed furosemide. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. “I’ll take my medication only when I feel swollen.”
B. “I need to avoid potassium-rich foods while on this drug.”
C. “I’ll weigh myself every day at the same time.”
D. “If I miss a dose, I’ll double the next one.”
Correct Answer: C. “I’ll weigh myself every day at the same time.”
, 4
Rationale: Daily weight monitoring helps detect fluid retention early in
heart failure. Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic, so potassium-rich
foods should not be avoided—rather, intake may need to be increased.
Dosing should never be doubled to compensate for missed doses. Taking
furosemide regularly as prescribed is critical for maintaining fluid balance.
(Source: Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN, 10th
Ed.)
4.
The nurse is assessing a client admitted for hypertensive crisis. The client’s
BP is 224/118 mmHg, and they report a severe headache and blurred
vision. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to
administer?
A. Lisinopril PO
B. Metoprolol PO
C. Sodium nitroprusside IV
D. Clonidine patch
Correct Answer: C. Sodium nitroprusside IV
CARDIAC NCLEX EXAM /NCLEX CARDIAC EXAM
ACTUAL EXAM 140+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
1.
A 68-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease presents to the
emergency department with chest pain radiating to his left arm, shortness
of breath, and diaphoresis. His ECG shows ST elevation in leads II, III, and
aVF. The nurse initiates oxygen therapy and notifies the provider. Which of
the following should the nurse anticipate administering immediately?
A. Nitroglycerin sublingual
B. Morphine IV
C. Aspirin 325 mg orally
D. Atorvastatin 80 mg orally
Correct Answer: C. Aspirin 325 mg orally
,2
Rationale: The first-line treatment for suspected myocardial infarction (MI)
includes administration of aspirin to inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce
myocardial damage. In the presence of ST elevation MI (STEMI),
immediate aspirin administration improves outcomes. Nitroglycerin and
morphine may also be used, but aspirin should be given first if not
contraindicated. Atorvastatin is part of long-term management but not
emergent care.
(Source: Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 11th Ed.)
2.
A nurse is caring for a client post-cardiac catheterization via the right
femoral artery. Two hours later, the client complains of numbness and pain
in the right leg. The nurse notes pallor and absent dorsalis pedis pulse on
the affected side. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Apply warm compresses to the site
B. Document the findings and reassess in 30 minutes
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Elevate the affected leg to improve circulation
,3
Correct Answer: C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: These signs—pain, pallor, pulselessness, and numbness—
suggest compromised circulation, possibly due to arterial occlusion or
hematoma. This is a medical emergency. Prompt notification of the
provider is necessary to prevent permanent tissue damage. Delaying
intervention or using heat/elevation could worsen ischemia.
(Source: Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing,
15th Ed.)
3.
A nurse is preparing discharge teaching for a client with chronic heart
failure who is being prescribed furosemide. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. “I’ll take my medication only when I feel swollen.”
B. “I need to avoid potassium-rich foods while on this drug.”
C. “I’ll weigh myself every day at the same time.”
D. “If I miss a dose, I’ll double the next one.”
Correct Answer: C. “I’ll weigh myself every day at the same time.”
, 4
Rationale: Daily weight monitoring helps detect fluid retention early in
heart failure. Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic, so potassium-rich
foods should not be avoided—rather, intake may need to be increased.
Dosing should never be doubled to compensate for missed doses. Taking
furosemide regularly as prescribed is critical for maintaining fluid balance.
(Source: Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN, 10th
Ed.)
4.
The nurse is assessing a client admitted for hypertensive crisis. The client’s
BP is 224/118 mmHg, and they report a severe headache and blurred
vision. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to
administer?
A. Lisinopril PO
B. Metoprolol PO
C. Sodium nitroprusside IV
D. Clonidine patch
Correct Answer: C. Sodium nitroprusside IV
