NCLEX-RN Cardiac QBank | Cardiovascular Questions with Detailed Rationales
(Heart Failure, MI, Afib & Priority Care 2026)
Showing 41 questions (same pool and cap as a student attempt). Correct options are pre-
selected and highlighted as on the results page.
Bank category: Heart Tutoring Session Understanding the Cardiovascular System
,1 Question 1
A patient with left-sided heart failure develops crackles in the lungs. What is the
primary cause?
☐ A. Decreased kidney function
☑ B. Fluid backing up into the lungs
☐ C. Increased oxygen in blood
☐ D. Blood pooling in legs
RATIONALE
Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the lungs, leading to pulmonary congestion
and crackles.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
Crackles = abnormal lung sounds from fluid
Pulmonary congestion = fluid in lungs
,2 2
A patient with MI is diaphoretic. What does this indicate?
A. Fever
☑ B. Sympathetic response
C. Infection
Dehydration
RATIONALE
Sweating occurs due to sympathetic nervous system activation during stress and pain.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
Diaphoresis = excessive sweating
Sympathetic response = stress reaction
, 3 Question 3
A client with heart failure is lying flat and reports severe dyspnea. What is the
nurseʼs first action?
☐ A. Give medication
☑ B. Raise the head of the bed
☐ C. Call the doctor
☐ D. Give fluids
RATIONALE
Sitting the patient upright reduces venous return and improves breathing immediately.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
Orthopnea = breathing difficulty lying down
Venous return = blood returning to heart
(Heart Failure, MI, Afib & Priority Care 2026)
Showing 41 questions (same pool and cap as a student attempt). Correct options are pre-
selected and highlighted as on the results page.
Bank category: Heart Tutoring Session Understanding the Cardiovascular System
,1 Question 1
A patient with left-sided heart failure develops crackles in the lungs. What is the
primary cause?
☐ A. Decreased kidney function
☑ B. Fluid backing up into the lungs
☐ C. Increased oxygen in blood
☐ D. Blood pooling in legs
RATIONALE
Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the lungs, leading to pulmonary congestion
and crackles.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
Crackles = abnormal lung sounds from fluid
Pulmonary congestion = fluid in lungs
,2 2
A patient with MI is diaphoretic. What does this indicate?
A. Fever
☑ B. Sympathetic response
C. Infection
Dehydration
RATIONALE
Sweating occurs due to sympathetic nervous system activation during stress and pain.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
Diaphoresis = excessive sweating
Sympathetic response = stress reaction
, 3 Question 3
A client with heart failure is lying flat and reports severe dyspnea. What is the
nurseʼs first action?
☐ A. Give medication
☑ B. Raise the head of the bed
☐ C. Call the doctor
☐ D. Give fluids
RATIONALE
Sitting the patient upright reduces venous return and improves breathing immediately.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
Orthopnea = breathing difficulty lying down
Venous return = blood returning to heart
