Page 1 of 164
WGU D027 Cardiovascular & Clinical
Assessment in Older Adults OA – Latest Exam
with Complete 500 Questions and Verified
Answers
Official Exam Overview:
The WGU D027 OA evaluates learners’ knowledge and clinical reasoning for managing health
conditions in older adults, with a focus on cardiovascular assessment, diagnostic interpretation, and
nursing interventions. The exam emphasizes ECG interpretation, recognition of arrhythmias,
conduction abnormalities, and the implications of ventricular and atrial conduction changes in older
adults. Learners are expected to apply theoretical knowledge to assess, interpret, and respond to
acute cardiac events.
Exam Coverage Areas:
• Cardiac anatomy and physiology in older adults
• ECG interpretation, including P waves, PR intervals, QRS complexes, and QT intervals
• Ventricular depolarization and conduction abnormalities
• Common cardiac disorders: heart failure, bundle branch blocks, myocardial infarction
• Clinical assessment and monitoring of cardiovascular function
• Nursing interventions based on ECG and lab findings
• Patient safety and emergency response protocols
QUESTION 1:
A patient has a disorder affecting ventricular depolarization. Which ECG finding would the nurse
associate with this?
A) Absence of P waves
B) Short PR interval
C) QT interval variability
D) Prolonged QRS interval ✅
Rationale:
The QRS complex represents the sum of ventricular muscle cell depolarization. A prolonged
QRS interval indicates abnormalities in ventricular conduction, such as heart failure, bundle
branch block, or myocardial infarction.
,QUESTION 2:
Which condition can cause a prolonged QRS interval?
A) Hyperkalemia only
B) Bundle branch block ✅
C) Sinus tachycardia
D) Premature atrial contraction
Rationale:
Bundle branch block delays conduction through the ventricles, leading to a prolonged QRS
interval on the ECG.
QUESTION 3:
Why is ECG monitoring critical in older adults with conduction abnormalities?
A) To monitor blood glucose
B) To detect early ventricular depolarization issues ✅
C) To measure oxygen saturation
D) To assess renal function
Rationale:
Early detection of ventricular conduction delays allows for timely interventions, preventing
arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac events.
QUESTION 4:
Which nursing intervention is essential when a patient presents with a prolonged QRS interval?
A) Initiate IV potassium
B) Monitor cardiac rhythm and prepare for potential interventions ✅
C) Provide oral fluids only
D) Administer calcium supplements
Rationale:
Continuous cardiac monitoring is necessary to identify worsening conduction disturbances and
guide appropriate interventions.
QUESTION 5:
Prolonged QRS intervals may be seen in all of the following conditions except:
A) Heart failure
B) Bundle branch block
C) Myocardial infarction
D) Hyperthyroidism ✅
Rationale:
Hyperthyroidism affects heart rate and rhythm but does not typically cause QRS prolongation,
which is indicative of ventricular conduction issues.
,A patient has a disorder affecting ventricular depolarization. What ECG finding with the nurse
associate with this?
A. Absence of P waves
B. Short PR interval
C. QT interval variability
D. Prolonged QRS interval - ANSWER-D. Prolonged QRS interval
--The QRS complex represents the sum of all ventricular muscle cell depolarization therefore a
prolonged QRS interval would be suggestive ventricular depolarization abnormalities. For
example, heart failure or bundle branch block or myocardial infarction.
Pharmacotherapy used for a patient with peripheral artery disease and diabetes includes all of
the following except:
A. Aspirin
B. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)
C. Gabapentin
D. Metformin - ANSWER-C. Gabapentin
1
, Page 2 of 164
What is the intended therapeutic action of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with chronic
respiratory conditions
A. Reversal of fixed airway obstruction
B. Improvement of central respiratory drive
C. Reduction of airway inflammation
D. mucolytic activity - ANSWER-Reduction of airway inflammation
--Topical corticosteroids work to decrease inflammation locally where applied.
Which of the following conditions is contraindicated in using thrombotic therapy?
A. History of hemorrhagic stroke
B. Peptic ulcer disease
C. Concurrent use of Coumadin
D. Blood pressure of 160/100 mmHg - ANSWER-A. History of hemorrhagic stroke
--Thrombolytic therapy can increase risk of recurrent hemorrhagic stroke in patients who have
this history.
Which hospitalized patient is highest risk for developing delirium?
A. An elderly male with COVID-19
B. A woman recently diagnosed with schizophrenia
C. A depressed Hispanic woman
D. A 70-year-old diabetic patient - ANSWER-A. An elderly male with COVID-19
2
WGU D027 Cardiovascular & Clinical
Assessment in Older Adults OA – Latest Exam
with Complete 500 Questions and Verified
Answers
Official Exam Overview:
The WGU D027 OA evaluates learners’ knowledge and clinical reasoning for managing health
conditions in older adults, with a focus on cardiovascular assessment, diagnostic interpretation, and
nursing interventions. The exam emphasizes ECG interpretation, recognition of arrhythmias,
conduction abnormalities, and the implications of ventricular and atrial conduction changes in older
adults. Learners are expected to apply theoretical knowledge to assess, interpret, and respond to
acute cardiac events.
Exam Coverage Areas:
• Cardiac anatomy and physiology in older adults
• ECG interpretation, including P waves, PR intervals, QRS complexes, and QT intervals
• Ventricular depolarization and conduction abnormalities
• Common cardiac disorders: heart failure, bundle branch blocks, myocardial infarction
• Clinical assessment and monitoring of cardiovascular function
• Nursing interventions based on ECG and lab findings
• Patient safety and emergency response protocols
QUESTION 1:
A patient has a disorder affecting ventricular depolarization. Which ECG finding would the nurse
associate with this?
A) Absence of P waves
B) Short PR interval
C) QT interval variability
D) Prolonged QRS interval ✅
Rationale:
The QRS complex represents the sum of ventricular muscle cell depolarization. A prolonged
QRS interval indicates abnormalities in ventricular conduction, such as heart failure, bundle
branch block, or myocardial infarction.
,QUESTION 2:
Which condition can cause a prolonged QRS interval?
A) Hyperkalemia only
B) Bundle branch block ✅
C) Sinus tachycardia
D) Premature atrial contraction
Rationale:
Bundle branch block delays conduction through the ventricles, leading to a prolonged QRS
interval on the ECG.
QUESTION 3:
Why is ECG monitoring critical in older adults with conduction abnormalities?
A) To monitor blood glucose
B) To detect early ventricular depolarization issues ✅
C) To measure oxygen saturation
D) To assess renal function
Rationale:
Early detection of ventricular conduction delays allows for timely interventions, preventing
arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac events.
QUESTION 4:
Which nursing intervention is essential when a patient presents with a prolonged QRS interval?
A) Initiate IV potassium
B) Monitor cardiac rhythm and prepare for potential interventions ✅
C) Provide oral fluids only
D) Administer calcium supplements
Rationale:
Continuous cardiac monitoring is necessary to identify worsening conduction disturbances and
guide appropriate interventions.
QUESTION 5:
Prolonged QRS intervals may be seen in all of the following conditions except:
A) Heart failure
B) Bundle branch block
C) Myocardial infarction
D) Hyperthyroidism ✅
Rationale:
Hyperthyroidism affects heart rate and rhythm but does not typically cause QRS prolongation,
which is indicative of ventricular conduction issues.
,A patient has a disorder affecting ventricular depolarization. What ECG finding with the nurse
associate with this?
A. Absence of P waves
B. Short PR interval
C. QT interval variability
D. Prolonged QRS interval - ANSWER-D. Prolonged QRS interval
--The QRS complex represents the sum of all ventricular muscle cell depolarization therefore a
prolonged QRS interval would be suggestive ventricular depolarization abnormalities. For
example, heart failure or bundle branch block or myocardial infarction.
Pharmacotherapy used for a patient with peripheral artery disease and diabetes includes all of
the following except:
A. Aspirin
B. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)
C. Gabapentin
D. Metformin - ANSWER-C. Gabapentin
1
, Page 2 of 164
What is the intended therapeutic action of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with chronic
respiratory conditions
A. Reversal of fixed airway obstruction
B. Improvement of central respiratory drive
C. Reduction of airway inflammation
D. mucolytic activity - ANSWER-Reduction of airway inflammation
--Topical corticosteroids work to decrease inflammation locally where applied.
Which of the following conditions is contraindicated in using thrombotic therapy?
A. History of hemorrhagic stroke
B. Peptic ulcer disease
C. Concurrent use of Coumadin
D. Blood pressure of 160/100 mmHg - ANSWER-A. History of hemorrhagic stroke
--Thrombolytic therapy can increase risk of recurrent hemorrhagic stroke in patients who have
this history.
Which hospitalized patient is highest risk for developing delirium?
A. An elderly male with COVID-19
B. A woman recently diagnosed with schizophrenia
C. A depressed Hispanic woman
D. A 70-year-old diabetic patient - ANSWER-A. An elderly male with COVID-19
2
