ATI MED SURG CARDIOVASCULAR EXAM 2026/2027 | 100 QUESTIONS WITH 100%
SCORE RATE
Core Domains: Anatomy & Physiology of the Cardiovascular System, Hypertension Management,
Coronary Artery Disease & Acute Coronary Syndrome, Heart Failure (Systolic/Diastolic), Valvular Heart
Disease, Inflammatory Cardiac Disorders, Peripheral Vascular & Arterial Disease, Venous
Thromboembolism, Cardiomyopathies, Cardiac Diagnostic Procedures & Hemodynamic Monitoring,
Preoperative & Postoperative Cardiac Surgery Care, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Dysrhythmia
Interpretation & Management, Patient Education & Discharge Planning
Exam Structure: 100 multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate comprehensive knowledge,
clinical application, and prioritization skills specific to cardiovascular disorders and nursing management.
Select the best answer for each question. Correct answers and priority interventions are in bold green.
[Anatomy & Physiology]
1. Which structure is responsible for initiating the electrical impulse in the heart?
A) Atrioventricular (AV) node
B) Bundle of His
C) Sinoatrial (SA) node
D) Purkinje fibers
The SA node is the primary pacemaker of the heart, initiating depolarization at 60-100
beats per minute (AHA, 2025).
2. The coronary arteries primarily supply blood to the:
, A) Lungs
B) Myocardium
C) Brain
D) Liver
The coronary arteries are responsible for perfusing the myocardium with oxygenated
blood (ATI, 2026).
3. The left ventricle pumps blood into the:
A) Pulmonary artery
B) Aorta
C) Right atrium
D) Pulmonary veins
The left ventricle ejects oxygenated blood into the aorta for systemic circulation (AHA,
2025).
4. The mitral valve is located between the:
A) Right atrium and right ventricle
B) Left atrium and left ventricle
C) Left ventricle and aorta
, D) Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
The mitral valve separates the left atrium and left ventricle (ATI, 2026).
5. The P wave on an ECG represents:
A) Ventricular depolarization
B) Atrial depolarization
C) Ventricular repolarization
D) Atrial repolarization
The P wave corresponds to atrial depolarization (AHA, 2025).
[Hypertension Management]
6. A patient with stage 2 hypertension (BP 160/100 mmHg) is prescribed lisinopril. Which
side effect should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Angioedema
C) Hyperglycemia
D) Tinnitus
Angioedema is a rare but life-threatening side effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril
(AHA, 2025).
, 7. The first-line pharmacological treatment for a 55-year-old African American patient with
hypertension and no comorbidities is:
A) ACE inhibitor
B) Calcium channel blocker or thiazide diuretic
C) Beta-blocker
D) Aldosterone antagonist
Calcium channel blockers or thiazide diuretics are recommended as first-line therapy
for African American patients with hypertension (AHA/ACC, 2024).
8. A patient is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension. What teaching is most
important?
A) Take the medication at bedtime
B) Increase intake of potassium-rich foods
C) Avoid all physical activity
D) Skip doses if feeling dizzy
Thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia; patients should be encouraged to consume
potassium-rich foods (ATI, 2026).
9. A patient with hypertension asks about lifestyle modifications. Which recommendation
is most effective for lowering blood pressure?
A) Increase caffeine intake
SCORE RATE
Core Domains: Anatomy & Physiology of the Cardiovascular System, Hypertension Management,
Coronary Artery Disease & Acute Coronary Syndrome, Heart Failure (Systolic/Diastolic), Valvular Heart
Disease, Inflammatory Cardiac Disorders, Peripheral Vascular & Arterial Disease, Venous
Thromboembolism, Cardiomyopathies, Cardiac Diagnostic Procedures & Hemodynamic Monitoring,
Preoperative & Postoperative Cardiac Surgery Care, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Dysrhythmia
Interpretation & Management, Patient Education & Discharge Planning
Exam Structure: 100 multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate comprehensive knowledge,
clinical application, and prioritization skills specific to cardiovascular disorders and nursing management.
Select the best answer for each question. Correct answers and priority interventions are in bold green.
[Anatomy & Physiology]
1. Which structure is responsible for initiating the electrical impulse in the heart?
A) Atrioventricular (AV) node
B) Bundle of His
C) Sinoatrial (SA) node
D) Purkinje fibers
The SA node is the primary pacemaker of the heart, initiating depolarization at 60-100
beats per minute (AHA, 2025).
2. The coronary arteries primarily supply blood to the:
, A) Lungs
B) Myocardium
C) Brain
D) Liver
The coronary arteries are responsible for perfusing the myocardium with oxygenated
blood (ATI, 2026).
3. The left ventricle pumps blood into the:
A) Pulmonary artery
B) Aorta
C) Right atrium
D) Pulmonary veins
The left ventricle ejects oxygenated blood into the aorta for systemic circulation (AHA,
2025).
4. The mitral valve is located between the:
A) Right atrium and right ventricle
B) Left atrium and left ventricle
C) Left ventricle and aorta
, D) Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
The mitral valve separates the left atrium and left ventricle (ATI, 2026).
5. The P wave on an ECG represents:
A) Ventricular depolarization
B) Atrial depolarization
C) Ventricular repolarization
D) Atrial repolarization
The P wave corresponds to atrial depolarization (AHA, 2025).
[Hypertension Management]
6. A patient with stage 2 hypertension (BP 160/100 mmHg) is prescribed lisinopril. Which
side effect should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Angioedema
C) Hyperglycemia
D) Tinnitus
Angioedema is a rare but life-threatening side effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril
(AHA, 2025).
, 7. The first-line pharmacological treatment for a 55-year-old African American patient with
hypertension and no comorbidities is:
A) ACE inhibitor
B) Calcium channel blocker or thiazide diuretic
C) Beta-blocker
D) Aldosterone antagonist
Calcium channel blockers or thiazide diuretics are recommended as first-line therapy
for African American patients with hypertension (AHA/ACC, 2024).
8. A patient is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension. What teaching is most
important?
A) Take the medication at bedtime
B) Increase intake of potassium-rich foods
C) Avoid all physical activity
D) Skip doses if feeling dizzy
Thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia; patients should be encouraged to consume
potassium-rich foods (ATI, 2026).
9. A patient with hypertension asks about lifestyle modifications. Which recommendation
is most effective for lowering blood pressure?
A) Increase caffeine intake
