1
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Cardiovascular Disorders
and Post Procedure Care
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Assessment and Recognition of Cardiovascular Disorders ............................. 2
Subtopic 2: Pharmacologic Management of Cardiovascular Conditions............................ 9
Subtopic 3: Cardiac Diagnostic Tests and Interpretation ................................................ 17
Subtopic 4: Nursing Management of Acute Cardiac Conditions ...................................... 25
Subtopic 5: Heart Failure Management and Complication Prevention (Questions 81–100) 33
Subtopic 6: Hypertension and Lifestyle Modifications in Cardiovascular Management ..... 41
Subtopic 7: Heart Failure Management and Nursing Interventions .................................. 49
Subtopic 8: Nursing Care of Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disorders ......................... 56
, 2
Subtopic 1: Assessment and Recognition of
Cardiovascular Disorders
(20 Questions)
Question 1:
A patient presents with chest pain described as pressure radiating to the left arm and jaw.
Which associated symptom is most indicative of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI)?
A. Sharp chest pain on inspiration
B. Diaphoresis and nausea
C. Relief with antacids
D. Pain localized with palpation
Correct answer: B. Diaphoresis and nausea
Rationale: Diaphoresis (sweating) and nausea are classic signs of AMI due to sympathetic
nervous system stimulation and myocardial hypoxia. These symptoms, along with the
radiation of chest pain, help differentiate AMI from other causes of chest pain.
Question 2:
Which heart sound is best associated with left-sided heart failure?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. Murmur
Correct answer: C. S3
Rationale: The S3 heart sound, also known as a ventricular gallop, is associated with
volume overload and heart failure, especially left-sided heart failure.
Question 3:
, 3
A nurse is assessing a client with right-sided heart failure. Which finding is expected?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Peripheral edema
C. Orthopnea
D. Dyspnea on exertion
Correct answer: B. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes blood to back up in the systemic circulation,
leading to peripheral edema, especially in the lower extremities.
Question 4:
What is a significant early indicator of worsening heart failure in a client?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight loss
C. Sudden weight gain
D. Increased appetite
Correct answer: C. Sudden weight gain
Rationale: Rapid weight gain (e.g., 2-3 pounds in 24 hours) suggests fluid retention, a key
sign of worsening heart failure.
Question 5:
A nurse is assessing the apical pulse of a patient with atrial fibrillation. What finding is
expected?
A. Regular rhythm
B. Murmurs
C. Irregularly irregular rhythm
D. Bradycardia
Correct answer: C. Irregularly irregular rhythm
, 4
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregularly irregular heart rhythm due to
uncoordinated atrial activity.
Question 6:
What clinical sign is most associated with aortic stenosis?
A. Bounding pulses
B. Syncope with exertion
C. Wide pulse pressure
D. Warm extremities
Correct answer: B. Syncope with exertion
Rationale: Aortic stenosis reduces blood flow to the brain during exertion, often causing
syncope or dizziness.
Question 7:
Which blood test is most specific for confirming myocardial infarction?
A. BNP
B. CK-MB
C. Myoglobin
D. Troponin I
Correct answer: D. Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is highly specific to myocardial injury and is the most reliable marker
for myocardial infarction.
Question 8:
A patient with pericarditis complains of chest pain. Which action provides relief?
A. Lying flat
B. Sitting up and leaning forward
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Cardiovascular Disorders
and Post Procedure Care
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Assessment and Recognition of Cardiovascular Disorders ............................. 2
Subtopic 2: Pharmacologic Management of Cardiovascular Conditions............................ 9
Subtopic 3: Cardiac Diagnostic Tests and Interpretation ................................................ 17
Subtopic 4: Nursing Management of Acute Cardiac Conditions ...................................... 25
Subtopic 5: Heart Failure Management and Complication Prevention (Questions 81–100) 33
Subtopic 6: Hypertension and Lifestyle Modifications in Cardiovascular Management ..... 41
Subtopic 7: Heart Failure Management and Nursing Interventions .................................. 49
Subtopic 8: Nursing Care of Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disorders ......................... 56
, 2
Subtopic 1: Assessment and Recognition of
Cardiovascular Disorders
(20 Questions)
Question 1:
A patient presents with chest pain described as pressure radiating to the left arm and jaw.
Which associated symptom is most indicative of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI)?
A. Sharp chest pain on inspiration
B. Diaphoresis and nausea
C. Relief with antacids
D. Pain localized with palpation
Correct answer: B. Diaphoresis and nausea
Rationale: Diaphoresis (sweating) and nausea are classic signs of AMI due to sympathetic
nervous system stimulation and myocardial hypoxia. These symptoms, along with the
radiation of chest pain, help differentiate AMI from other causes of chest pain.
Question 2:
Which heart sound is best associated with left-sided heart failure?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. Murmur
Correct answer: C. S3
Rationale: The S3 heart sound, also known as a ventricular gallop, is associated with
volume overload and heart failure, especially left-sided heart failure.
Question 3:
, 3
A nurse is assessing a client with right-sided heart failure. Which finding is expected?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Peripheral edema
C. Orthopnea
D. Dyspnea on exertion
Correct answer: B. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes blood to back up in the systemic circulation,
leading to peripheral edema, especially in the lower extremities.
Question 4:
What is a significant early indicator of worsening heart failure in a client?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight loss
C. Sudden weight gain
D. Increased appetite
Correct answer: C. Sudden weight gain
Rationale: Rapid weight gain (e.g., 2-3 pounds in 24 hours) suggests fluid retention, a key
sign of worsening heart failure.
Question 5:
A nurse is assessing the apical pulse of a patient with atrial fibrillation. What finding is
expected?
A. Regular rhythm
B. Murmurs
C. Irregularly irregular rhythm
D. Bradycardia
Correct answer: C. Irregularly irregular rhythm
, 4
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregularly irregular heart rhythm due to
uncoordinated atrial activity.
Question 6:
What clinical sign is most associated with aortic stenosis?
A. Bounding pulses
B. Syncope with exertion
C. Wide pulse pressure
D. Warm extremities
Correct answer: B. Syncope with exertion
Rationale: Aortic stenosis reduces blood flow to the brain during exertion, often causing
syncope or dizziness.
Question 7:
Which blood test is most specific for confirming myocardial infarction?
A. BNP
B. CK-MB
C. Myoglobin
D. Troponin I
Correct answer: D. Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is highly specific to myocardial injury and is the most reliable marker
for myocardial infarction.
Question 8:
A patient with pericarditis complains of chest pain. Which action provides relief?
A. Lying flat
B. Sitting up and leaning forward
