AACN EXAM ELABORATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATED 2026/2027 | GRADED A+
which finding is most consistent with an acute elevation in left ventricular filling pressure? - ANSWER
bibasilar crackles
when pressure in the LV increases suddenly, fluid is forced into the alveoli by an increase in
hydrostatic pressure
following ACS affecting the anterior wall, a patient develops SOB. Assessment reveals moist bibasilar
crackles and a moderately loud S3. a PAC is inserted and a PAOP of 22 is obtained. these findings are
most indicative of - ANSWER left ventricular decompensation
this patient has a risk factor for and signs of LV failure (anterior MI). A rise in the PAOP and S3 is
reflective of increased LVED pressure. when pressure in the LV increases suddenly, fluid is forced into
the alveoli by an increase in hydrostatic pressure
a patient with AMI develops a new 4/6 holosystolic murmur and quickly progresses to cardiogenic
shock. which should the nurse anticipate? - ANSWER preparation for a TEE
the new onset of a murmur with AMI is a sign of papillary muscle rupture. an echocardiogram will
diagnose this rupture
a patient with WPW is given verapamil and becomes unconscious with a wide complex tachycardia, a
weak pulse, and hypotension. what should the nurse do initially? - ANSWER prepare for synchronized
cardioversion
verapamil blocked the AV node but not the pathway of WPW. the S/E of verapamil is hypotension
and the patient has become unstable. emergency synchronized cardioversion is necessary. the
patient has a pulse so defibrillation is not required, amio is given for patients without a pulse
a patient is admitted with chest heaviness, muffled heart sounds, JVD, and hypotension following a
stab wound to the chest. for which should the nurse initially prepare the patient? - ANSWER
echocardiogram
, this patient is at risk for and has symptoms for cardiac tamponade. the diagnosis is most accurately
made with an echocardiogram.
in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy, appropriate drug therapy should be aimed at - ANSWER
decreasing afterload and decreasing preload
the patient has systolic dysfunction. chronic heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy (systolic
dysfunction) is managed by diuresis, afterload reduction and inotropes as needed. increased
afterload will increase cardiac workload and worsen heart failure symptoms, as will increasing
preload
a patient is admitted following aortic valve replacement. for which rhythm should the nurse monitor
for? - ANSWER second degree AV block type 2
following aortic valve replacement, patients may develop an AV block due to edema, inflammation,
hemorrhage, or suturing near node
a nurse is caring for a patient admitted with myocardial ischemia. the patient has a history of anxiety
and hypothyroidism and is currently taking cyclic antidepressants. the nurse observes a QT interval of
0.48 seconds and should monitor closely for - ANSWER torsades
torsades is a ife threatening dysrhythmia often associated with a prolonged QT interval and can
result in sudden death.
a patient is admitted complaining of crushing chest pain, which began 2 hours ago. an ekg shows ST
elevation in leads V2-V4 which is treated with a PCI procedure to the LAD. following the procedure
the patient develops oliguria and bilateral, diffuse crackles. which hemodynamic findings should be
expected at this point? - ANSWER BP 80/50, CO 3.8, SVR 2200, PAP 40/24
the patient had an anterior infarction, which predisposes the development of LV failure/cardiogenic
shock. the hemodynamic data of BP 80/50, CO 3.8, SVR 2200, and PAP 40/24 are consistent with LV
failure/cardiogenic shock
a patient with a history of HTN and renal failure reports a headache that did not respond to OTC
medication. VS are BP 210/126, HR 106, RR 22. which should the nurse anticipate? - ANSWER
labetalol
UPDATED 2026/2027 | GRADED A+
which finding is most consistent with an acute elevation in left ventricular filling pressure? - ANSWER
bibasilar crackles
when pressure in the LV increases suddenly, fluid is forced into the alveoli by an increase in
hydrostatic pressure
following ACS affecting the anterior wall, a patient develops SOB. Assessment reveals moist bibasilar
crackles and a moderately loud S3. a PAC is inserted and a PAOP of 22 is obtained. these findings are
most indicative of - ANSWER left ventricular decompensation
this patient has a risk factor for and signs of LV failure (anterior MI). A rise in the PAOP and S3 is
reflective of increased LVED pressure. when pressure in the LV increases suddenly, fluid is forced into
the alveoli by an increase in hydrostatic pressure
a patient with AMI develops a new 4/6 holosystolic murmur and quickly progresses to cardiogenic
shock. which should the nurse anticipate? - ANSWER preparation for a TEE
the new onset of a murmur with AMI is a sign of papillary muscle rupture. an echocardiogram will
diagnose this rupture
a patient with WPW is given verapamil and becomes unconscious with a wide complex tachycardia, a
weak pulse, and hypotension. what should the nurse do initially? - ANSWER prepare for synchronized
cardioversion
verapamil blocked the AV node but not the pathway of WPW. the S/E of verapamil is hypotension
and the patient has become unstable. emergency synchronized cardioversion is necessary. the
patient has a pulse so defibrillation is not required, amio is given for patients without a pulse
a patient is admitted with chest heaviness, muffled heart sounds, JVD, and hypotension following a
stab wound to the chest. for which should the nurse initially prepare the patient? - ANSWER
echocardiogram
, this patient is at risk for and has symptoms for cardiac tamponade. the diagnosis is most accurately
made with an echocardiogram.
in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy, appropriate drug therapy should be aimed at - ANSWER
decreasing afterload and decreasing preload
the patient has systolic dysfunction. chronic heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy (systolic
dysfunction) is managed by diuresis, afterload reduction and inotropes as needed. increased
afterload will increase cardiac workload and worsen heart failure symptoms, as will increasing
preload
a patient is admitted following aortic valve replacement. for which rhythm should the nurse monitor
for? - ANSWER second degree AV block type 2
following aortic valve replacement, patients may develop an AV block due to edema, inflammation,
hemorrhage, or suturing near node
a nurse is caring for a patient admitted with myocardial ischemia. the patient has a history of anxiety
and hypothyroidism and is currently taking cyclic antidepressants. the nurse observes a QT interval of
0.48 seconds and should monitor closely for - ANSWER torsades
torsades is a ife threatening dysrhythmia often associated with a prolonged QT interval and can
result in sudden death.
a patient is admitted complaining of crushing chest pain, which began 2 hours ago. an ekg shows ST
elevation in leads V2-V4 which is treated with a PCI procedure to the LAD. following the procedure
the patient develops oliguria and bilateral, diffuse crackles. which hemodynamic findings should be
expected at this point? - ANSWER BP 80/50, CO 3.8, SVR 2200, PAP 40/24
the patient had an anterior infarction, which predisposes the development of LV failure/cardiogenic
shock. the hemodynamic data of BP 80/50, CO 3.8, SVR 2200, and PAP 40/24 are consistent with LV
failure/cardiogenic shock
a patient with a history of HTN and renal failure reports a headache that did not respond to OTC
medication. VS are BP 210/126, HR 106, RR 22. which should the nurse anticipate? - ANSWER
labetalol
