CARDIOVASCULAR NCLEX 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔21) As an initial step in treating a client with angina, the physician prescribes
nitroglycerin tablets, 0.3mg given sublingually. This drug's principle effects are produced
by:
Antispasmotic effect on the pericardium
Causing an increased mycocardial oxygen demand
Vasodilation of peripheral vasculature
Improved conductivity in the myocardium - ✔✔3.
Nitroglycerin produces peripheral vasodilation, which reduces myocardial oxygen
consumption and demand. Vasodilation in coronary arteries and collateral vessels may
also increase blood flow to the ischemic areas of the heart. Nitroglycerin decreases
myocardial oxygen demand. Nitroglycerin does not have an effect on pericardial
spasticity or conductivity in the myocardium.
✔✔22) The nurse teaches the client with angina about the common expected side
effects of nitroglycerin, including:
Headache
High blood pressure
Shortness of breath
Stomach cramps - ✔✔1.
,Because of the widespread vasodilating effects, nitroglycerin often produces such side
effects as headache, hypotension, and dizziness. The client should lie or sit down to
avoid fainting. Nitro does not cause shortness of breath or stomach cramps.
✔✔23) Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets begin to work within 1 to 2 minutes. How should
the nurse instruct the client to use the drug when chest pain occurs?
Take one tablet every 2 to 5 minutes until the pain stops.
Take one tablet and rest for 10 minutes. Call the physician if pain persists after 10
minutes.
Take one tablet, then an additional tablet every 5 minutes for a total of 3 tablets. Call
the physician if pain persists after three tablets.
Take one tablet. If pain persists after 5 minutes, take two tablets. If pain still persists 5
minutes later, call the physician. - ✔✔3.
The correct protocol for nitroglycerin used involves immediate administration, with
subsequent doses taken at 5-minute intervals as needed, for a total dose of 3 tablets.
Sublingual nitroglycerin appears in the blood stream within 2 to 3 minutes and is
metabolized within about 10 minutes.
✔✔24) Which of the following arteries primarily feeds the anterior wall of the heart?
Circumflex artery
Internal mammary artery
Left anterior descending artery
Right coronary artery - ✔✔3.
The left anterior descending artery is the primary source of blood flow for the anterior
wall of the heart. The circumflex artery supplies the lateral wall, the internal mammary
supplies the mammary, and the right coronary artery supplies the inferior wall of the
heart.
✔✔25) When do coronary arteries primarily receive blood flow?
During inspiration
During diastolic
During expiration
During systole - ✔✔2.
Although the coronary arteries may receive a minute portion of blood during systole,
most of the blood flow to coronary arteries is supplied during diastole. Breathing
patterns are irrelevant to blood flow.
✔✔26) Prolonged occlusion of the right coronary artery produces an infarction in which
of the following areas of the heart?
Anterior
Apical
, Inferior
Lateral - ✔✔3.
The right coronary artery supplies the right ventricle, or the inferior portion of the heart.
Therefore, prolonged occlusion could produce an infarction in that area. The right
coronary artery doesn't supply the anterior portion (left ventricle), lateral portion (some
of the left ventricle and the left atrium), or the apical portion (left ventricle) of the heart.
✔✔27) A murmur is heard at the second left intercostal space along the left sternal
border. Which valve is this?
Aortic
Mitral
Pulmonic
Tricupsid - ✔✔3.
Abnormalities of the pulmonic valve are auscultated at the second left intercostal space
along the left sternal border. Aortic valve abnormalities are heard at the second
intercostal space, to the right of the sternum. Mitral valve abnormalities are heard at the
fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line. Tricupsid valve abnormalities are heard
at the 3rd and 4th intercostal spaces along the sternal border.
✔✔28) Which of the following blood tests is most indicative of cardiac damage?
Lactate dehydrogenase
Complete blood count (CBC)
Troponin I
Creatine kinase (CK) - ✔✔3.
Troponin I levels rise rapidly and are detectable within 1 hour of myocardial injury.
Troponin levels aren't detectable in people without cardiac injury.
✔✔29) Which of the following diagnostic tools is most commonly used to determine the
location of myocardial damage?
Cardiac catherization
Cardiac enzymes
Echocardiogram
Electrocardiogram (ECG) - ✔✔4.
The ECG is the quickest, most accurate, and most widely used tool to determine the
location of myocardial infarction. Cardiac enzymes are used to diagnose MI but can't
determine the location. An echocardiogram is used most widely to view myocardial wall
function after an MI has been diagnosed. Cardiac catherization is an invasive study for
determining coronary artery disease and may also indicate the location of myocardial
damage, but the study may not be performed immediately.
✔✔30) Which of the following types of pain is most characteristic of angina?
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔21) As an initial step in treating a client with angina, the physician prescribes
nitroglycerin tablets, 0.3mg given sublingually. This drug's principle effects are produced
by:
Antispasmotic effect on the pericardium
Causing an increased mycocardial oxygen demand
Vasodilation of peripheral vasculature
Improved conductivity in the myocardium - ✔✔3.
Nitroglycerin produces peripheral vasodilation, which reduces myocardial oxygen
consumption and demand. Vasodilation in coronary arteries and collateral vessels may
also increase blood flow to the ischemic areas of the heart. Nitroglycerin decreases
myocardial oxygen demand. Nitroglycerin does not have an effect on pericardial
spasticity or conductivity in the myocardium.
✔✔22) The nurse teaches the client with angina about the common expected side
effects of nitroglycerin, including:
Headache
High blood pressure
Shortness of breath
Stomach cramps - ✔✔1.
,Because of the widespread vasodilating effects, nitroglycerin often produces such side
effects as headache, hypotension, and dizziness. The client should lie or sit down to
avoid fainting. Nitro does not cause shortness of breath or stomach cramps.
✔✔23) Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets begin to work within 1 to 2 minutes. How should
the nurse instruct the client to use the drug when chest pain occurs?
Take one tablet every 2 to 5 minutes until the pain stops.
Take one tablet and rest for 10 minutes. Call the physician if pain persists after 10
minutes.
Take one tablet, then an additional tablet every 5 minutes for a total of 3 tablets. Call
the physician if pain persists after three tablets.
Take one tablet. If pain persists after 5 minutes, take two tablets. If pain still persists 5
minutes later, call the physician. - ✔✔3.
The correct protocol for nitroglycerin used involves immediate administration, with
subsequent doses taken at 5-minute intervals as needed, for a total dose of 3 tablets.
Sublingual nitroglycerin appears in the blood stream within 2 to 3 minutes and is
metabolized within about 10 minutes.
✔✔24) Which of the following arteries primarily feeds the anterior wall of the heart?
Circumflex artery
Internal mammary artery
Left anterior descending artery
Right coronary artery - ✔✔3.
The left anterior descending artery is the primary source of blood flow for the anterior
wall of the heart. The circumflex artery supplies the lateral wall, the internal mammary
supplies the mammary, and the right coronary artery supplies the inferior wall of the
heart.
✔✔25) When do coronary arteries primarily receive blood flow?
During inspiration
During diastolic
During expiration
During systole - ✔✔2.
Although the coronary arteries may receive a minute portion of blood during systole,
most of the blood flow to coronary arteries is supplied during diastole. Breathing
patterns are irrelevant to blood flow.
✔✔26) Prolonged occlusion of the right coronary artery produces an infarction in which
of the following areas of the heart?
Anterior
Apical
, Inferior
Lateral - ✔✔3.
The right coronary artery supplies the right ventricle, or the inferior portion of the heart.
Therefore, prolonged occlusion could produce an infarction in that area. The right
coronary artery doesn't supply the anterior portion (left ventricle), lateral portion (some
of the left ventricle and the left atrium), or the apical portion (left ventricle) of the heart.
✔✔27) A murmur is heard at the second left intercostal space along the left sternal
border. Which valve is this?
Aortic
Mitral
Pulmonic
Tricupsid - ✔✔3.
Abnormalities of the pulmonic valve are auscultated at the second left intercostal space
along the left sternal border. Aortic valve abnormalities are heard at the second
intercostal space, to the right of the sternum. Mitral valve abnormalities are heard at the
fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line. Tricupsid valve abnormalities are heard
at the 3rd and 4th intercostal spaces along the sternal border.
✔✔28) Which of the following blood tests is most indicative of cardiac damage?
Lactate dehydrogenase
Complete blood count (CBC)
Troponin I
Creatine kinase (CK) - ✔✔3.
Troponin I levels rise rapidly and are detectable within 1 hour of myocardial injury.
Troponin levels aren't detectable in people without cardiac injury.
✔✔29) Which of the following diagnostic tools is most commonly used to determine the
location of myocardial damage?
Cardiac catherization
Cardiac enzymes
Echocardiogram
Electrocardiogram (ECG) - ✔✔4.
The ECG is the quickest, most accurate, and most widely used tool to determine the
location of myocardial infarction. Cardiac enzymes are used to diagnose MI but can't
determine the location. An echocardiogram is used most widely to view myocardial wall
function after an MI has been diagnosed. Cardiac catherization is an invasive study for
determining coronary artery disease and may also indicate the location of myocardial
damage, but the study may not be performed immediately.
✔✔30) Which of the following types of pain is most characteristic of angina?
