NUR 6111 – ADVANCED NURSING
CARDIAC
200 Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales
Question 1
The primary function of the cardiovascular system is to:
A. Produce hormones
B. Transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
C. Regulate digestion
D. Maintain body temperature only
Correct Answer: B. Transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
Rationale:
The cardiovascular system delivers oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and removes metabolic waste
products.
Question 2
The chamber responsible for pumping oxygenated blood into systemic circulation is:
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer: D. Left ventricle
Rationale:
The left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood through the aorta to the entire body.
,Question 3
The normal pacemaker of the heart is the:
A. AV node
B. Bundle of His
C. SA node
D. Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: C. SA node
Rationale:
The sinoatrial node initiates electrical impulses and controls normal sinus rhythm.
Question 4
The normal resting adult heart rate is:
A. 20–40 bpm
B. 40–60 bpm
C. 60–100 bpm
D. 120–160 bpm
Correct Answer: C. 60–100 bpm
Rationale:
Normal sinus rhythm occurs between 60 and 100 beats per minute in adults.
Question 5
The QRS complex on an ECG represents:
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular depolarization
C. Ventricular repolarization
D. Atrial relaxation
Correct Answer: B. Ventricular depolarization
Rationale:
The QRS complex reflects electrical activation of the ventricles.
,Question 6
A prolonged PR interval indicates:
A. First-degree AV block
B. Ventricular tachycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Sinus tachycardia
Correct Answer: A. First-degree AV block
Rationale:
A PR interval longer than 0.20 seconds indicates delayed conduction through the AV node.
Question 7
A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to experience:
A. Peripheral edema only
B. Pulmonary congestion
C. Hepatomegaly
D. Ascites only
Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary congestion
Rationale:
Left ventricular dysfunction causes blood backup into pulmonary circulation.
Question 8
Which assessment finding is associated with right-sided heart failure?
A. Crackles
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: C. Jugular venous distention
Rationale:
Right-sided failure causes systemic venous congestion.
, Question 9
An S3 heart sound is commonly associated with:
A. Heart failure
B. Bradycardia
C. Valve closure only
D. Normal aging
Correct Answer: A. Heart failure
Rationale:
S3 indicates increased ventricular filling and volume overload.
Question 10
An S4 heart sound occurs because of:
A. Increased ventricular stiffness
B. Excess fluid removal
C. Normal valve closure
D. Increased heart rate only
Correct Answer: A. Increased ventricular stiffness
Rationale:
S4 occurs when atrial contraction forces blood into a stiff ventricle.
Coronary Artery Disease and ACS
Question 11
The major cause of coronary artery disease is:
A. Atherosclerosis
B. Infection
C. Valve failure
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: A. Atherosclerosis
CARDIAC
200 Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales
Question 1
The primary function of the cardiovascular system is to:
A. Produce hormones
B. Transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
C. Regulate digestion
D. Maintain body temperature only
Correct Answer: B. Transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
Rationale:
The cardiovascular system delivers oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and removes metabolic waste
products.
Question 2
The chamber responsible for pumping oxygenated blood into systemic circulation is:
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer: D. Left ventricle
Rationale:
The left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood through the aorta to the entire body.
,Question 3
The normal pacemaker of the heart is the:
A. AV node
B. Bundle of His
C. SA node
D. Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: C. SA node
Rationale:
The sinoatrial node initiates electrical impulses and controls normal sinus rhythm.
Question 4
The normal resting adult heart rate is:
A. 20–40 bpm
B. 40–60 bpm
C. 60–100 bpm
D. 120–160 bpm
Correct Answer: C. 60–100 bpm
Rationale:
Normal sinus rhythm occurs between 60 and 100 beats per minute in adults.
Question 5
The QRS complex on an ECG represents:
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular depolarization
C. Ventricular repolarization
D. Atrial relaxation
Correct Answer: B. Ventricular depolarization
Rationale:
The QRS complex reflects electrical activation of the ventricles.
,Question 6
A prolonged PR interval indicates:
A. First-degree AV block
B. Ventricular tachycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Sinus tachycardia
Correct Answer: A. First-degree AV block
Rationale:
A PR interval longer than 0.20 seconds indicates delayed conduction through the AV node.
Question 7
A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to experience:
A. Peripheral edema only
B. Pulmonary congestion
C. Hepatomegaly
D. Ascites only
Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary congestion
Rationale:
Left ventricular dysfunction causes blood backup into pulmonary circulation.
Question 8
Which assessment finding is associated with right-sided heart failure?
A. Crackles
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: C. Jugular venous distention
Rationale:
Right-sided failure causes systemic venous congestion.
, Question 9
An S3 heart sound is commonly associated with:
A. Heart failure
B. Bradycardia
C. Valve closure only
D. Normal aging
Correct Answer: A. Heart failure
Rationale:
S3 indicates increased ventricular filling and volume overload.
Question 10
An S4 heart sound occurs because of:
A. Increased ventricular stiffness
B. Excess fluid removal
C. Normal valve closure
D. Increased heart rate only
Correct Answer: A. Increased ventricular stiffness
Rationale:
S4 occurs when atrial contraction forces blood into a stiff ventricle.
Coronary Artery Disease and ACS
Question 11
The major cause of coronary artery disease is:
A. Atherosclerosis
B. Infection
C. Valve failure
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: A. Atherosclerosis