NCLEX Cardiac Nursing Practice Questions
2026/2027: 94 Evidence-Based Exam Bank
Questions with Answers & Rationales for
Nursing Students
Description:
Master cardiac nursing with 94 NCLEX-style practice questions covering heart failure,
dysrhythmias, pharmacology, and acute coronary syndrome. Updated for 2026/2027 nursing
curriculum with detailed rationales.
Download the Complete 4801 Cardiac Nursing Exam Bank 2026/2027 Today & Ace Your
Cardiovascular Nursing Exam!
, NCLEX Cardiac Nursing Exam Bank 2026/2027 | 94 Practice
Questions
SECTION A: CARDIAC RISK FACTORS AND PREVENTION
1. A nurse is conducting a health education session for adolescents on cardiovascular
health. Which modifiable risk factor is most strongly associated with the development of
coronary heart disease (CHD) in both men and women?
A. Excessive alcohol consumption
B. Cigarette smoking
C. Physical inactivity
D. High-stress lifestyle
Answer: B. Cigarette smoking
Explanation: Nicotine in cigarette smoke causes vasoconstriction of coronary arteries, directly
contributing to angina and CHD development. While physical inactivity is a risk factor, cigarette
smoking has the strongest correlation with CHD. Moderate alcohol consumption may actually
provide some protective cardiovascular effects, and opioid use is not a primary risk factor for
CHD.
2. A nurse is teaching a group of clients about myocardial infarction (MI) risk factors.
Which factors should the nurse identify as increasing a client's risk for MI? Select all that
apply.
A. Obesity
B. Hypertension
C. Elevated HDL levels
D. Diabetes insipidus
E. African American ethnicity
Answer: A, B, E
Explanation: Obesity increases cardiac workload and is associated with vascular changes
leading to ischemia and MI. Hypertension damages blood vessels and increases peripheral
,resistance, contributing to MI risk. African Americans have higher cardiovascular disease risk.
Elevated HDL levels are protective, not harmful. Diabetes mellitus (not insipidus) is a significant
risk factor for MI.
3. The nurse is assessing a client's understanding of cardiovascular risk reduction. Which
client statement indicates a correct understanding of modifiable risk factors?
A. "I will continue taking my estrogen supplements to protect my heart"
B. "Since I have a family history, there is nothing I can do to prevent heart disease"
C. "I need to monitor my blood pressure and keep it under control"
D. "My cholesterol levels are determined primarily by my diet"
Answer: C. "I need to monitor my blood pressure and keep it under control"
Explanation: Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor that requires active management. Family
history is non-modifiable, but lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk.
Estrogen therapy is no longer recommended for primary cardiovascular prevention. Cholesterol
levels are influenced by both genetics and lifestyle factors.
4. A client with a history of coronary artery disease asks the nurse about preventing future
cardiac events. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "Focus on reducing your intake of saturated fats and trans fats"
B. "Take over-the-counter supplements to lower your cholesterol"
C. "Avoid all physical activity to prevent cardiac stress"
D. "Limit your fluid intake to prevent fluid overload"
Answer: A. "Focus on reducing your intake of saturated fats and trans fats"
Explanation: Dietary modification, particularly reducing saturated and trans fats, is an evidence-
based approach for cardiac risk reduction. Over-the-counter supplements lack proven efficacy for
cardiovascular prevention. Regular, prescribed physical activity is beneficial, not harmful. Fluid
restriction is not indicated unless specifically prescribed for heart failure management.
, SECTION B: HEART FAILURE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
5. A nurse is providing dietary education to clients with heart failure. Which information is
most important for the nurse to emphasize?
A. "Choose fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned ones"
B. "Restrict your daily fluid intake to 1 liter"
C. "Maintain a low-calorie diet for weight management"
D. "Avoid all foods containing cholesterol"
Answer: A. "Choose fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned ones"
Explanation: Sodium restriction is the primary dietary intervention for heart failure
management. Fresh or frozen vegetables contain significantly less sodium than canned varieties.
While fluid restriction may be indicated for some clients, it is not the primary dietary focus.
Calorie and cholesterol restrictions are not specifically indicated for all heart failure clients.
6. A client with heart failure has crackles in the lower lung fields and dyspnea. The
healthcare provider prescribes IV normal saline at 200 mL/hr and furosemide 120 mg
orally stat. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Initiate the IV infusion at the prescribed rate
B. Question the choice of solution and the prescribed rate
C. Administer the furosemide as prescribed
D. Notify the rapid response team immediately
Answer: B. Question the choice of solution and the prescribed rate
Explanation: This client is experiencing fluid overload with pulmonary edema. Normal saline
will worsen fluid retention, and 200 mL/hr is excessive for a client with heart failure. The
furosemide dose is also inappropriately high. The nurse has a professional responsibility to
question orders that may harm the client.
2026/2027: 94 Evidence-Based Exam Bank
Questions with Answers & Rationales for
Nursing Students
Description:
Master cardiac nursing with 94 NCLEX-style practice questions covering heart failure,
dysrhythmias, pharmacology, and acute coronary syndrome. Updated for 2026/2027 nursing
curriculum with detailed rationales.
Download the Complete 4801 Cardiac Nursing Exam Bank 2026/2027 Today & Ace Your
Cardiovascular Nursing Exam!
, NCLEX Cardiac Nursing Exam Bank 2026/2027 | 94 Practice
Questions
SECTION A: CARDIAC RISK FACTORS AND PREVENTION
1. A nurse is conducting a health education session for adolescents on cardiovascular
health. Which modifiable risk factor is most strongly associated with the development of
coronary heart disease (CHD) in both men and women?
A. Excessive alcohol consumption
B. Cigarette smoking
C. Physical inactivity
D. High-stress lifestyle
Answer: B. Cigarette smoking
Explanation: Nicotine in cigarette smoke causes vasoconstriction of coronary arteries, directly
contributing to angina and CHD development. While physical inactivity is a risk factor, cigarette
smoking has the strongest correlation with CHD. Moderate alcohol consumption may actually
provide some protective cardiovascular effects, and opioid use is not a primary risk factor for
CHD.
2. A nurse is teaching a group of clients about myocardial infarction (MI) risk factors.
Which factors should the nurse identify as increasing a client's risk for MI? Select all that
apply.
A. Obesity
B. Hypertension
C. Elevated HDL levels
D. Diabetes insipidus
E. African American ethnicity
Answer: A, B, E
Explanation: Obesity increases cardiac workload and is associated with vascular changes
leading to ischemia and MI. Hypertension damages blood vessels and increases peripheral
,resistance, contributing to MI risk. African Americans have higher cardiovascular disease risk.
Elevated HDL levels are protective, not harmful. Diabetes mellitus (not insipidus) is a significant
risk factor for MI.
3. The nurse is assessing a client's understanding of cardiovascular risk reduction. Which
client statement indicates a correct understanding of modifiable risk factors?
A. "I will continue taking my estrogen supplements to protect my heart"
B. "Since I have a family history, there is nothing I can do to prevent heart disease"
C. "I need to monitor my blood pressure and keep it under control"
D. "My cholesterol levels are determined primarily by my diet"
Answer: C. "I need to monitor my blood pressure and keep it under control"
Explanation: Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor that requires active management. Family
history is non-modifiable, but lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk.
Estrogen therapy is no longer recommended for primary cardiovascular prevention. Cholesterol
levels are influenced by both genetics and lifestyle factors.
4. A client with a history of coronary artery disease asks the nurse about preventing future
cardiac events. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "Focus on reducing your intake of saturated fats and trans fats"
B. "Take over-the-counter supplements to lower your cholesterol"
C. "Avoid all physical activity to prevent cardiac stress"
D. "Limit your fluid intake to prevent fluid overload"
Answer: A. "Focus on reducing your intake of saturated fats and trans fats"
Explanation: Dietary modification, particularly reducing saturated and trans fats, is an evidence-
based approach for cardiac risk reduction. Over-the-counter supplements lack proven efficacy for
cardiovascular prevention. Regular, prescribed physical activity is beneficial, not harmful. Fluid
restriction is not indicated unless specifically prescribed for heart failure management.
, SECTION B: HEART FAILURE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
5. A nurse is providing dietary education to clients with heart failure. Which information is
most important for the nurse to emphasize?
A. "Choose fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned ones"
B. "Restrict your daily fluid intake to 1 liter"
C. "Maintain a low-calorie diet for weight management"
D. "Avoid all foods containing cholesterol"
Answer: A. "Choose fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned ones"
Explanation: Sodium restriction is the primary dietary intervention for heart failure
management. Fresh or frozen vegetables contain significantly less sodium than canned varieties.
While fluid restriction may be indicated for some clients, it is not the primary dietary focus.
Calorie and cholesterol restrictions are not specifically indicated for all heart failure clients.
6. A client with heart failure has crackles in the lower lung fields and dyspnea. The
healthcare provider prescribes IV normal saline at 200 mL/hr and furosemide 120 mg
orally stat. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Initiate the IV infusion at the prescribed rate
B. Question the choice of solution and the prescribed rate
C. Administer the furosemide as prescribed
D. Notify the rapid response team immediately
Answer: B. Question the choice of solution and the prescribed rate
Explanation: This client is experiencing fluid overload with pulmonary edema. Normal saline
will worsen fluid retention, and 200 mL/hr is excessive for a client with heart failure. The
furosemide dose is also inappropriately high. The nurse has a professional responsibility to
question orders that may harm the client.
