CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICAL-SURGICAL
NURSING ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ A patient with long-standing hypertension will begin the DASH Diet
(Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) to help lower the blood
pressure. The nurse discusses some possible food choices with the
patient, including which of the following foods that best reflect the
principles of the DASH Diet?
A. Fish, broccoli, brown rice
B. Lean steak, green beans, hash brown potatoes
C. Thin-crust cheese pizza and salad with low-calorie dressing
D. Frozen low-calorie meal . Answer: A
◉ A 60-year-old patient is assessed in the emergency department for
complaints of shortness of breath, dizziness, and palpitations. An EKG
shows an irregular rhythm with a normal QRS complex but no P waves.
Based on these findings, the nurse recognizes the patient's rhythm as:
A. first-degree heart block.
B. atrial flutter.
,C. second-degree heart block type 1.
D. atrial fibrillation. . Answer: D
◉ A patient with mitral valve disease is admitted to a medical unit with
fever, chills, shortness of breath, malaise, and a newly developed cardiac
murmur. Based on the patient's new diagnosis of endocarditis, the nurse
will begin preparing him for discharge by teaching about:
A. lifestyle modifications.
B. warfarin (Coumadin) therapy.
C. self-administration of IV antibiotics.
D. the need for fluid restriction. . Answer: C
◉ The nurse is caring for a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy. The
patient asks, "How could I have gotten this condition?" The nurse's
response is based on knowledge that cardiomyopathy may be associated
with which of the following in the patient's medical history?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Hypotension
C. Fungal infection
D. Extreme weight loss . Answer: A
, ◉ A patient with hypercholesterolemia was prescribed pravastin
(Pravachol). The nurse should teach the patient about which of the
following side effects for this medication?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Flushing
C. Itching
D. Hypotension . Answer: A
◉ The nurse is caring for a patient who has had diarrhea for the last 3
days. The nurse is aware of the patient's history of cardiac dysrhythmias.
In reviewing the patient's laboratory results, the nurse would be most
concerned about which of the following?
A. Hematocrit 59%
B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/liter
C. Magnesium 1.8 mg/dL
D. Sodium 132 mEq/liter . Answer: B
◉ The nurse is discussing the day's plan of care with a student nurse.
The student asks why brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been ordered
for one of the patients. The nurse's response is based on the knowledge
that this laboratory test is used to monitor effectiveness of the patient's
treatment for:
NURSING ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ A patient with long-standing hypertension will begin the DASH Diet
(Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) to help lower the blood
pressure. The nurse discusses some possible food choices with the
patient, including which of the following foods that best reflect the
principles of the DASH Diet?
A. Fish, broccoli, brown rice
B. Lean steak, green beans, hash brown potatoes
C. Thin-crust cheese pizza and salad with low-calorie dressing
D. Frozen low-calorie meal . Answer: A
◉ A 60-year-old patient is assessed in the emergency department for
complaints of shortness of breath, dizziness, and palpitations. An EKG
shows an irregular rhythm with a normal QRS complex but no P waves.
Based on these findings, the nurse recognizes the patient's rhythm as:
A. first-degree heart block.
B. atrial flutter.
,C. second-degree heart block type 1.
D. atrial fibrillation. . Answer: D
◉ A patient with mitral valve disease is admitted to a medical unit with
fever, chills, shortness of breath, malaise, and a newly developed cardiac
murmur. Based on the patient's new diagnosis of endocarditis, the nurse
will begin preparing him for discharge by teaching about:
A. lifestyle modifications.
B. warfarin (Coumadin) therapy.
C. self-administration of IV antibiotics.
D. the need for fluid restriction. . Answer: C
◉ The nurse is caring for a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy. The
patient asks, "How could I have gotten this condition?" The nurse's
response is based on knowledge that cardiomyopathy may be associated
with which of the following in the patient's medical history?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Hypotension
C. Fungal infection
D. Extreme weight loss . Answer: A
, ◉ A patient with hypercholesterolemia was prescribed pravastin
(Pravachol). The nurse should teach the patient about which of the
following side effects for this medication?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Flushing
C. Itching
D. Hypotension . Answer: A
◉ The nurse is caring for a patient who has had diarrhea for the last 3
days. The nurse is aware of the patient's history of cardiac dysrhythmias.
In reviewing the patient's laboratory results, the nurse would be most
concerned about which of the following?
A. Hematocrit 59%
B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/liter
C. Magnesium 1.8 mg/dL
D. Sodium 132 mEq/liter . Answer: B
◉ The nurse is discussing the day's plan of care with a student nurse.
The student asks why brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been ordered
for one of the patients. The nurse's response is based on the knowledge
that this laboratory test is used to monitor effectiveness of the patient's
treatment for:
