Galen NU185 Exam 2: Medical-
Surgical Nursing II – Complete
NCLEX Questions & Answers with
Rationales (200 Questions) latest
2026-2027 [Most Recent]/Instant
Download PDF
Cardiovascular System
1. Which layer of the heart is responsible for the forceful
contractions that pump blood throughout the body?
• A. Epicardium
• B. Myocardium
• C. Endocardium
• D. Pericardium
Correct Answer: B. Myocardium
Rationale: The myocardium is the thick muscular middle layer responsible
for the heart's contractions and pumping action.
2. Which of the following correctly describes the flow of oxygenated
blood?
• A. Right atrium → right ventricle → pulmonary artery
• B. Pulmonary veins → left atrium → left ventricle
• C. Superior vena cava → right atrium → right ventricle
, • D. Left ventricle → right atrium → lungs
Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary veins → left atrium → left ventricle
Rationale: Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs through the
pulmonary veins to the left atrium, then moves to the left ventricle before
being pumped to the rest of the body.
3. Which vessel type is responsible for gas exchange at the tissue
level?
• A. Arteries
• B. Veins
• C. Capillaries
• D. Venules
Correct Answer: C. Capillaries
Rationale: Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels where oxygen and
carbon dioxide exchange occurs between blood and tissues.
4. A patient's BNP level is 450 pg/mL. What does this most likely
indicate?
• A. Normal cardiac function
• B. Heart failure
• C. Myocardial infarction
• D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B. Heart failure
Rationale: BNP is elevated in response to ventricular stretch and fluid
,overload, which are common in heart failure. A level above 100 pg/mL is
indicative of heart failure.
5. A female patient receives her lipid panel results:
• Total cholesterol: 210 mg/dL
• LDL: 140 mg/dL
• HDL: 50 mg/dL
• Triglycerides: 130 mg/dL
Which result should concern the nurse the most?
• A. HDL: 50 mg/dL
• B. Total cholesterol: 210 mg/dL
• C. Triglycerides: 130 mg/dL
• D. LDL: 140 mg/dL
Correct Answer: D. LDL: 140 mg/dL
Rationale: LDL ("bad" cholesterol) should be under 130 mg/dL. High LDL
increases the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
6. A nurse explains that a left heart catheterization is planned for a
patient. The patient asks, "How will they insert the catheter?" What
is the nurse's best response?
• A. "They will use a vein to insert the catheter."
• B. "It goes through the esophagus into the heart."
• C. "It will be inserted through an artery, usually in your groin or
wrist."
• D. "The catheter is injected directly into the heart muscle."
, Correct Answer: C. "It will be inserted through an artery, usually in
your groin or wrist."
Rationale: Left heart cath uses an arterial approach (typically femoral or
radial artery) to assess the left side of the heart and coronary arteries.
7. What is the primary purpose of performing a cardiac
catheterization?
• A. To treat arrhythmias
• B. To assess oxygen levels, cardiac output, and coronary artery
blockages
• C. To determine lung volume and capacity
• D. To evaluate serum cardiac enzyme levels
Correct Answer: B. To assess oxygen levels, cardiac output, and
coronary artery blockages
8. Which HDL level would be considered normal for a male patient?
• A. 40 mg/dL
• B. 35 mg/dL
• C. 55 mg/dL
• D. 25 mg/dL
Correct Answer: C. 55 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal HDL for males is greater than 45 mg/dL. A value of 55
mg/dL is within the desired range.
Surgical Nursing II – Complete
NCLEX Questions & Answers with
Rationales (200 Questions) latest
2026-2027 [Most Recent]/Instant
Download PDF
Cardiovascular System
1. Which layer of the heart is responsible for the forceful
contractions that pump blood throughout the body?
• A. Epicardium
• B. Myocardium
• C. Endocardium
• D. Pericardium
Correct Answer: B. Myocardium
Rationale: The myocardium is the thick muscular middle layer responsible
for the heart's contractions and pumping action.
2. Which of the following correctly describes the flow of oxygenated
blood?
• A. Right atrium → right ventricle → pulmonary artery
• B. Pulmonary veins → left atrium → left ventricle
• C. Superior vena cava → right atrium → right ventricle
, • D. Left ventricle → right atrium → lungs
Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary veins → left atrium → left ventricle
Rationale: Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs through the
pulmonary veins to the left atrium, then moves to the left ventricle before
being pumped to the rest of the body.
3. Which vessel type is responsible for gas exchange at the tissue
level?
• A. Arteries
• B. Veins
• C. Capillaries
• D. Venules
Correct Answer: C. Capillaries
Rationale: Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels where oxygen and
carbon dioxide exchange occurs between blood and tissues.
4. A patient's BNP level is 450 pg/mL. What does this most likely
indicate?
• A. Normal cardiac function
• B. Heart failure
• C. Myocardial infarction
• D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B. Heart failure
Rationale: BNP is elevated in response to ventricular stretch and fluid
,overload, which are common in heart failure. A level above 100 pg/mL is
indicative of heart failure.
5. A female patient receives her lipid panel results:
• Total cholesterol: 210 mg/dL
• LDL: 140 mg/dL
• HDL: 50 mg/dL
• Triglycerides: 130 mg/dL
Which result should concern the nurse the most?
• A. HDL: 50 mg/dL
• B. Total cholesterol: 210 mg/dL
• C. Triglycerides: 130 mg/dL
• D. LDL: 140 mg/dL
Correct Answer: D. LDL: 140 mg/dL
Rationale: LDL ("bad" cholesterol) should be under 130 mg/dL. High LDL
increases the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
6. A nurse explains that a left heart catheterization is planned for a
patient. The patient asks, "How will they insert the catheter?" What
is the nurse's best response?
• A. "They will use a vein to insert the catheter."
• B. "It goes through the esophagus into the heart."
• C. "It will be inserted through an artery, usually in your groin or
wrist."
• D. "The catheter is injected directly into the heart muscle."
, Correct Answer: C. "It will be inserted through an artery, usually in
your groin or wrist."
Rationale: Left heart cath uses an arterial approach (typically femoral or
radial artery) to assess the left side of the heart and coronary arteries.
7. What is the primary purpose of performing a cardiac
catheterization?
• A. To treat arrhythmias
• B. To assess oxygen levels, cardiac output, and coronary artery
blockages
• C. To determine lung volume and capacity
• D. To evaluate serum cardiac enzyme levels
Correct Answer: B. To assess oxygen levels, cardiac output, and
coronary artery blockages
8. Which HDL level would be considered normal for a male patient?
• A. 40 mg/dL
• B. 35 mg/dL
• C. 55 mg/dL
• D. 25 mg/dL
Correct Answer: C. 55 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal HDL for males is greater than 45 mg/dL. A value of 55
mg/dL is within the desired range.
