ATI Medical-Surgical: Cardiovascular Conditions Study Guide 2026
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Dependent edema
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: A
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure results in pulmonary congestion. Crackles, dyspnea, and
orthopnea are classic signs. The other options are associated with right-sided heart failure.
2. A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following
electrolyte imbalances increases the risk for digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Low potassium levels increase the sensitivity of the cardiac muscle to digoxin,
significantly increasing the risk of toxicity.
,3. Which laboratory test is considered the gold standard for diagnosing a
myocardial infarction (MI)?
A. CK-MB
B. Myoglobin
C. BNP
D. Troponin I or T
Answer: D
Rationale: Troponins are highly specific to cardiac tissue and remain elevated longer than
other markers, making them the preferred diagnostic tool for MI.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Which of
the following client statements indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I will walk until I feel pain, rest, and then walk again.
B. I will use a heating pad on my feet to keep them warm.
C. I will avoid crossing my legs when sitting.
D. I will inspect my feet daily for any injuries.
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with PAD often have decreased sensation and poor circulation; using a
heating pad poses a high risk for burns that may not heal.
5. What is the primary goal of treatment for a client experiencing stable angina?
A. To increase heart rate
B. To decrease myocardial oxygen demand
C. To increase blood pressure
D. To decrease the intake of fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Stable angina occurs when myocardial oxygen demand exceeds supply.
Treatment focuses on reducing that demand through rest or medication (like
nitroglycerin).
, 6. A client presents with ‘pink, frothy sputum.’ This is a hallmark sign of which
condition?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
C. Acute pulmonary edema
D. Tuberculosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Pink, frothy sputum is a classic sign of acute pulmonary edema, often caused by
severe left-sided heart failure.
7. The nurse is monitoring a client after a cardiac catheterization. Which of the
following is the priority assessment?
A. Assessing for a hematoma or bleeding at the insertion site
B. Checking the radial pulse on the unaffected side
C. Monitoring the client’s temperature
D. Evaluating the client’s bowel sounds
Answer: A
Rationale: Hemorrhage is a major complication post-cardiac catheterization. Monitoring
the insertion site for bleeding or hematoma is the priority.
8. A client is diagnosed with Raynaud’s phenomenon. Which education should
the nurse provide?
A. Walk 30 minutes a day in cold weather.
B. Increase caffeine intake to stimulate blood flow.
C. Wear gloves when handling cold items.
D. Take beta-blockers as prescribed.
Answer: C
Rationale: Raynaud’s involves vasospasm triggered by cold. Protecting extremities from
cold is essential to prevent episodes.
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Dependent edema
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: A
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure results in pulmonary congestion. Crackles, dyspnea, and
orthopnea are classic signs. The other options are associated with right-sided heart failure.
2. A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following
electrolyte imbalances increases the risk for digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Low potassium levels increase the sensitivity of the cardiac muscle to digoxin,
significantly increasing the risk of toxicity.
,3. Which laboratory test is considered the gold standard for diagnosing a
myocardial infarction (MI)?
A. CK-MB
B. Myoglobin
C. BNP
D. Troponin I or T
Answer: D
Rationale: Troponins are highly specific to cardiac tissue and remain elevated longer than
other markers, making them the preferred diagnostic tool for MI.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Which of
the following client statements indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I will walk until I feel pain, rest, and then walk again.
B. I will use a heating pad on my feet to keep them warm.
C. I will avoid crossing my legs when sitting.
D. I will inspect my feet daily for any injuries.
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with PAD often have decreased sensation and poor circulation; using a
heating pad poses a high risk for burns that may not heal.
5. What is the primary goal of treatment for a client experiencing stable angina?
A. To increase heart rate
B. To decrease myocardial oxygen demand
C. To increase blood pressure
D. To decrease the intake of fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Stable angina occurs when myocardial oxygen demand exceeds supply.
Treatment focuses on reducing that demand through rest or medication (like
nitroglycerin).
, 6. A client presents with ‘pink, frothy sputum.’ This is a hallmark sign of which
condition?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
C. Acute pulmonary edema
D. Tuberculosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Pink, frothy sputum is a classic sign of acute pulmonary edema, often caused by
severe left-sided heart failure.
7. The nurse is monitoring a client after a cardiac catheterization. Which of the
following is the priority assessment?
A. Assessing for a hematoma or bleeding at the insertion site
B. Checking the radial pulse on the unaffected side
C. Monitoring the client’s temperature
D. Evaluating the client’s bowel sounds
Answer: A
Rationale: Hemorrhage is a major complication post-cardiac catheterization. Monitoring
the insertion site for bleeding or hematoma is the priority.
8. A client is diagnosed with Raynaud’s phenomenon. Which education should
the nurse provide?
A. Walk 30 minutes a day in cold weather.
B. Increase caffeine intake to stimulate blood flow.
C. Wear gloves when handling cold items.
D. Take beta-blockers as prescribed.
Answer: C
Rationale: Raynaud’s involves vasospasm triggered by cold. Protecting extremities from
cold is essential to prevent episodes.
