AACN ECCO Cardiovascular Part 4
Exam Questions with correct Answers
2026/2027 A+ Graded 100% Verified.
What incision care interventions should a nurse use while monitoring a post-cardiac
surgery patient's incisions and access sites? - ANS -Elevate donor leg after vein
harvesting, Maintain OR dressings for 24-48 hours, Irrigate
Anesthesia handoff for patients admitted to ICU shows BP 86/52 (63), HR 112, and RAP 4
mm HG. In ICU, CT output is 49 mL over the first hour. For which condition should you
intervene, and based on what information? - ANS -Intravascular hypovolemia: BP, HR
In caring for a patient who underwent CABG with a saphenous vein graft, the nurse
should anticipate which postop intervention(s)? - ANS -Administer ASA within first six
hours and elevate donor leg
The patient underwent CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass. Which rhythm disturbance is
most likely to occur? - ANS -A-fib
Patient is 24 hours post-CABG with a left radial artery graft. Which is an unexpected
finding? - ANS -NOT: Chest tub drainage 1,000 mL in 24 hours
Patient is undergoing CABG using the radial artery. Nurse should anticipate which? -
ANS -Performing Allen's test
Nurse finds dyspnea, bilaterally diminished breath sounds, and respiratory distress in a
patient in the acute recovery phase post-cardiac surgery. What interventions should the
nurse anticipate? - ANS -Progressive mobility,
Incentive spirometry exercises,
Deep breathing
Which findings in a patient in the acute recovery phase post-cardiac surgery indicate
possible cardiac tamponade? - ANS -Decreased ECG voltage; narrow pulse pressure,
Significant, abrupt ↓ in mediastinal CT output; tachycardia
Muffled heart sounds; ↓ UO and CO
, Which additional conditions make it likely that a patient with severe aortic stenosis will
be advised to undergo TAVR instead of surgical aortic valve replacement? - ANS -COPD
and poorly controlled diabetes,
CKD and history of stroke,
Two previous sternotomies for CABG
Patient is admitted post-TAVR with a transfemoral approach. Which findings related to
the procedure leg should cause concern? - ANS -TRY: Pallor, Pain
What are the nurse's care priorities for a patient who underwent TAVR via transaxillary
approach? - ANS -Assess sensory and motor function on affected side,
Anticipate return to OR for ongoing bleeding or vascular insufficiency,
Anticipate return to OR for pseudoaneurysm
A nurse caring for a patient post-op cardiac valve replacement with a heterograft valve
should anticipate administration of which med(s)? - ANS -Daily ASA
In caring for a patient undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, which of the
following interventions, in addition to hypothermia, protect the heart and other vital
organs? - ANS -Heparinization,
↓ blood viscosity,
Cardioplegia
How does early mobility benefit a patient in the acute recovery phase post-cardiac
surgery? - ANS -Counters risk for complications due to bedrest,
Improves oxygenation and pulmonary function,
Decreases overall length of stay
Which should the nurse consider when administering pain medication and sedation to a
patient after cardiac surgery? - ANS -Meds should be titrated based on a scoring
systems,
Maintain sedation until paralyzing agents are metabolized or reversed
A post-op cardiac surgery patient suddenly develops slurred speech and unilateral
weakness. Which interventions should the nurse anticipate? - ANS -Prepare patient for a
non-contrast CT scan
Which post-op cardiac surgery patient may require temporary pacing? A patient with: -
ANS -BP 80/40, HR 56
Patient underwent cardiac surgery. Which should the nurse include in discharge
education? - ANS -Wound care
Exam Questions with correct Answers
2026/2027 A+ Graded 100% Verified.
What incision care interventions should a nurse use while monitoring a post-cardiac
surgery patient's incisions and access sites? - ANS -Elevate donor leg after vein
harvesting, Maintain OR dressings for 24-48 hours, Irrigate
Anesthesia handoff for patients admitted to ICU shows BP 86/52 (63), HR 112, and RAP 4
mm HG. In ICU, CT output is 49 mL over the first hour. For which condition should you
intervene, and based on what information? - ANS -Intravascular hypovolemia: BP, HR
In caring for a patient who underwent CABG with a saphenous vein graft, the nurse
should anticipate which postop intervention(s)? - ANS -Administer ASA within first six
hours and elevate donor leg
The patient underwent CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass. Which rhythm disturbance is
most likely to occur? - ANS -A-fib
Patient is 24 hours post-CABG with a left radial artery graft. Which is an unexpected
finding? - ANS -NOT: Chest tub drainage 1,000 mL in 24 hours
Patient is undergoing CABG using the radial artery. Nurse should anticipate which? -
ANS -Performing Allen's test
Nurse finds dyspnea, bilaterally diminished breath sounds, and respiratory distress in a
patient in the acute recovery phase post-cardiac surgery. What interventions should the
nurse anticipate? - ANS -Progressive mobility,
Incentive spirometry exercises,
Deep breathing
Which findings in a patient in the acute recovery phase post-cardiac surgery indicate
possible cardiac tamponade? - ANS -Decreased ECG voltage; narrow pulse pressure,
Significant, abrupt ↓ in mediastinal CT output; tachycardia
Muffled heart sounds; ↓ UO and CO
, Which additional conditions make it likely that a patient with severe aortic stenosis will
be advised to undergo TAVR instead of surgical aortic valve replacement? - ANS -COPD
and poorly controlled diabetes,
CKD and history of stroke,
Two previous sternotomies for CABG
Patient is admitted post-TAVR with a transfemoral approach. Which findings related to
the procedure leg should cause concern? - ANS -TRY: Pallor, Pain
What are the nurse's care priorities for a patient who underwent TAVR via transaxillary
approach? - ANS -Assess sensory and motor function on affected side,
Anticipate return to OR for ongoing bleeding or vascular insufficiency,
Anticipate return to OR for pseudoaneurysm
A nurse caring for a patient post-op cardiac valve replacement with a heterograft valve
should anticipate administration of which med(s)? - ANS -Daily ASA
In caring for a patient undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, which of the
following interventions, in addition to hypothermia, protect the heart and other vital
organs? - ANS -Heparinization,
↓ blood viscosity,
Cardioplegia
How does early mobility benefit a patient in the acute recovery phase post-cardiac
surgery? - ANS -Counters risk for complications due to bedrest,
Improves oxygenation and pulmonary function,
Decreases overall length of stay
Which should the nurse consider when administering pain medication and sedation to a
patient after cardiac surgery? - ANS -Meds should be titrated based on a scoring
systems,
Maintain sedation until paralyzing agents are metabolized or reversed
A post-op cardiac surgery patient suddenly develops slurred speech and unilateral
weakness. Which interventions should the nurse anticipate? - ANS -Prepare patient for a
non-contrast CT scan
Which post-op cardiac surgery patient may require temporary pacing? A patient with: -
ANS -BP 80/40, HR 56
Patient underwent cardiac surgery. Which should the nurse include in discharge
education? - ANS -Wound care
