CSC-K EXAM BANK 2025/2026 | ACCURATE REAL
EXAM 150 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES EACH | CURRENTLY TESTING AND
FREQUENTLY TESTED VERSIONS | EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE
Domain 1: Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the primary function of the sinoatrial (SA)
node?
A. To slow the heart rate during periods of rest
B. To generate the fastest rate of spontaneous depolarization
C. To conduct impulses from the atria to the ventricles
D. To regulate blood pressure through vagal stimulation
Answer: B
Rationale: The SA node is the primary pacemaker of the heart because it generates the fastest
rate of spontaneous depolarization (60-100 beats per minute), overriding other potential
pacemakers. This rate of automaticity is the highest in the conduction system.
Question 2: According to Starling's Law, increasing preload will result in:
A. Decreased cardiac output due to ventricular overdistention
B. Increased stroke volume due to increased myocardial fiber stretch
C. Increased afterload due to systemic vasoconstriction
D. Decreased heart rate via the baroreceptor reflex
Answer: B
Rationale: Starling's Law states that the force of ventricular contraction is proportional to the
initial length of the muscle fiber (preload). Up to a physiological limit, increased stretch results
in a stronger contraction and increased stroke volume.
Domain 2: Post-Operative Complications
1
, Question 3: A patient is 4 hours post-CABG and presents with a sudden drop in chest tube
output, muffled heart sounds, rising CVP, and decreasing blood pressure. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypovolemia
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Cardiac tamponade
D. Tension pneumothorax
Answer: C
Rationale: This is a classic presentation of cardiac tamponade characterized by Beck's Triad
(hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and elevated venous pressure). The sudden cessation of
chest tube drainage often occurs due to clot obstruction, leading to compression of the heart.
Question 4: A patient post-cardiac surgery has mediastinal chest tube drainage of 250 mL/hr for
two consecutive hours. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Increase the PEEP on the ventilator
B. Administer a unit of Packed Red Blood Cells
C. Notify the surgeon and check coagulation studies
D. Strip the chest tubes to ensure patency
Answer: C
Rationale: Excessive bleeding, defined as >200 mL/hr for two consecutive hours, is a sign of
potential postoperative hemorrhage. Immediate surgical notification and evaluation of the
patient's coagulation status are required.
Question 5: A patient is 12 hours post-cardiac surgery and is oliguric, with urine output <30
mL/hr. The nurse's priority is to:
A. Administer a diuretic
B. Increase IV fluids
C. Assess hemodynamic status (MAP, CVP, PAWP)
D. Notify the provider immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: Low urine output can indicate inadequate renal perfusion or acute kidney injury. The
nurse should first assess hemodynamics to determine if hypovolemia or low cardiac output is
the cause before intervening.
Question 6: A patient post-cardiac surgery develops a high fever and elevated white blood cell
count 48 hours post-op. The nurse suspects sepsis. What is the hemodynamic profile of early
septic shock?
A. High SVR, Low Cardiac Output
2
, B. Low SVR, High Cardiac Output
C. High CVP, Low Heart Rate
D. Low Cardiac Output, High PAOP
Answer: B
Rationale: Early or "warm" sepsis is characterized by massive vasodilation (low SVR) and a
compensatory increase in cardiac output to maintain tissue perfusion.
Question 7: What does a high Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR) indicate in a post-op patient?
A. It indicates vasodilation and improves cardiac output
B. It suggests the patient is in septic shock
C. It indicates vasoconstriction and increases the workload of the left ventricle
D. It indicates the patient needs more inotropic support
Answer: C
Rationale: High SVR means the left ventricle must push against more resistance, which can
decrease stroke volume and increase myocardial oxygen demand. This increases the workload
on the heart.
Domain 3: Hemodynamic Monitoring
Question 8: A patient has a pulmonary artery catheter. The nurse notes a "large V wave" on the
PAOP (wedge) tracing. This finding is most indicative of:
A. Aortic stenosis
B. Mitral regurgitation
C. Right ventricular failure
D. Cardiac tamponade
Answer: B
Rationale: Large V waves in the wedge tracing represent blood regurgitating back into the left
atrium during ventricular systole, which is a hallmark of mitral regurgitation.
Question 9: Which of the following is a reliable indicator of left ventricular preload?
A. Central venous pressure (CVP)
B. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)
C. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
D. Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO₂)
Answer: B
Rationale: The PAWP reflects the pressure in the left atrium at end-diastole, which is a direct
indicator of left ventricular preload. CVP is a better indicator of right ventricular preload.
3
EXAM 150 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES EACH | CURRENTLY TESTING AND
FREQUENTLY TESTED VERSIONS | EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE
Domain 1: Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the primary function of the sinoatrial (SA)
node?
A. To slow the heart rate during periods of rest
B. To generate the fastest rate of spontaneous depolarization
C. To conduct impulses from the atria to the ventricles
D. To regulate blood pressure through vagal stimulation
Answer: B
Rationale: The SA node is the primary pacemaker of the heart because it generates the fastest
rate of spontaneous depolarization (60-100 beats per minute), overriding other potential
pacemakers. This rate of automaticity is the highest in the conduction system.
Question 2: According to Starling's Law, increasing preload will result in:
A. Decreased cardiac output due to ventricular overdistention
B. Increased stroke volume due to increased myocardial fiber stretch
C. Increased afterload due to systemic vasoconstriction
D. Decreased heart rate via the baroreceptor reflex
Answer: B
Rationale: Starling's Law states that the force of ventricular contraction is proportional to the
initial length of the muscle fiber (preload). Up to a physiological limit, increased stretch results
in a stronger contraction and increased stroke volume.
Domain 2: Post-Operative Complications
1
, Question 3: A patient is 4 hours post-CABG and presents with a sudden drop in chest tube
output, muffled heart sounds, rising CVP, and decreasing blood pressure. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypovolemia
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Cardiac tamponade
D. Tension pneumothorax
Answer: C
Rationale: This is a classic presentation of cardiac tamponade characterized by Beck's Triad
(hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and elevated venous pressure). The sudden cessation of
chest tube drainage often occurs due to clot obstruction, leading to compression of the heart.
Question 4: A patient post-cardiac surgery has mediastinal chest tube drainage of 250 mL/hr for
two consecutive hours. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Increase the PEEP on the ventilator
B. Administer a unit of Packed Red Blood Cells
C. Notify the surgeon and check coagulation studies
D. Strip the chest tubes to ensure patency
Answer: C
Rationale: Excessive bleeding, defined as >200 mL/hr for two consecutive hours, is a sign of
potential postoperative hemorrhage. Immediate surgical notification and evaluation of the
patient's coagulation status are required.
Question 5: A patient is 12 hours post-cardiac surgery and is oliguric, with urine output <30
mL/hr. The nurse's priority is to:
A. Administer a diuretic
B. Increase IV fluids
C. Assess hemodynamic status (MAP, CVP, PAWP)
D. Notify the provider immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: Low urine output can indicate inadequate renal perfusion or acute kidney injury. The
nurse should first assess hemodynamics to determine if hypovolemia or low cardiac output is
the cause before intervening.
Question 6: A patient post-cardiac surgery develops a high fever and elevated white blood cell
count 48 hours post-op. The nurse suspects sepsis. What is the hemodynamic profile of early
septic shock?
A. High SVR, Low Cardiac Output
2
, B. Low SVR, High Cardiac Output
C. High CVP, Low Heart Rate
D. Low Cardiac Output, High PAOP
Answer: B
Rationale: Early or "warm" sepsis is characterized by massive vasodilation (low SVR) and a
compensatory increase in cardiac output to maintain tissue perfusion.
Question 7: What does a high Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR) indicate in a post-op patient?
A. It indicates vasodilation and improves cardiac output
B. It suggests the patient is in septic shock
C. It indicates vasoconstriction and increases the workload of the left ventricle
D. It indicates the patient needs more inotropic support
Answer: C
Rationale: High SVR means the left ventricle must push against more resistance, which can
decrease stroke volume and increase myocardial oxygen demand. This increases the workload
on the heart.
Domain 3: Hemodynamic Monitoring
Question 8: A patient has a pulmonary artery catheter. The nurse notes a "large V wave" on the
PAOP (wedge) tracing. This finding is most indicative of:
A. Aortic stenosis
B. Mitral regurgitation
C. Right ventricular failure
D. Cardiac tamponade
Answer: B
Rationale: Large V waves in the wedge tracing represent blood regurgitating back into the left
atrium during ventricular systole, which is a hallmark of mitral regurgitation.
Question 9: Which of the following is a reliable indicator of left ventricular preload?
A. Central venous pressure (CVP)
B. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)
C. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
D. Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO₂)
Answer: B
Rationale: The PAWP reflects the pressure in the left atrium at end-diastole, which is a direct
indicator of left ventricular preload. CVP is a better indicator of right ventricular preload.
3
