SAUNDERS NCLEX CARDIO EXAM |ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW
2026-2027 UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
The nurse is reviewing an electrocardiogram rhythm strip. The P waves and QRS complexes
are regular. The PR interval is 0.16 second, and QRS complexes measure 0.06 second. The
overall heart rate is 64 beats/minute. Which would be a correct interpretation based on
these characteristics?
1.
Sinus bradycardia
2.
Sick sinus syndrome
3.
Normal sinus rhythm
4.
First-degree heart block
CORRECT ANSWER
3
Normal sinus rhythm is defined as a regular rhythm, with an overall rate of 60 to 100
beats/minute. The PR and QRS measurements are normal, measuring 0.12 to 0.20
second and 0.04 to 0.10 second, respectively.
1
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,Question 2
A client is wearing a continuous cardiac monitor, which begins to sound its alarm. A nurse
sees no electrocardiographic complexes on the screen. Which is the priority action of the
nurse?
1.
Call a code.
2.
Call the health care provider.
3.
Check the client's status and lead placement.
4.
Press the recorder button on the electrocardiogram console.
CORRECT ANSWER
3
Sudden loss of electrocardiographic complexes indicates ventricular asystole or possibly
electrode displacement. Accurate assessment of the client and equipment is necessary to
determine the cause and identify the appropriate intervention. The remaining options
are secondary to client assessment.
Question 3
A client is having frequent premature ventricular contractions. The nurse should place
priority on assessment of which item?
2
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,1.
Sensation of palpitations
2.
Causative factors, such as caffeine
3.
Precipitating factors, such as infection
4.
Blood pressure and oxygen saturation
CORRECT ANSWER
4
Premature ventricular contractions can cause hemodynamic compromise. Therefore, the
priority is to monitor the blood pressure and oxygen saturation. The shortened
ventricular filling time can lead to decreased cardiac output. The client may be
asymptomatic or may feel palpitations. Premature ventricular contractions can be caused
by cardiac disorders, states of hypoxemia, or by any number of physiological stressors,
such as infection, illness, surgery, or trauma, and by intake of caffeine, nicotine, or
alcohol.
Question 4
The nurse is evaluating a client's response to cardioversion. Which observation would be
of highest priority to the nurse?
1.
Blood pressure
3
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, 2.
Status of airway
3.
Oxygen flow rate
4.
Level of consciousness
CORRECT ANSWER
2
Nursing responsibilities after cardioversion include maintenance first of a patent airway,
and then oxygen administration, assessment of vital signs and level of consciousness,
and dysrhythmia detection.
Question 5
A client's electrocardiogram strip shows atrial and ventricular rates of 110 beats/minute.
The PR interval is 0.14 second, the QRS complex measures 0.08 second, and the PP and RR
intervals are regular. How should the nurse correctly interpret this rhythm?
1.
Sinus dysrhythmia
2.
Sinus tachycardia
3.
Sinus bradycardia
4
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QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW
2026-2027 UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
The nurse is reviewing an electrocardiogram rhythm strip. The P waves and QRS complexes
are regular. The PR interval is 0.16 second, and QRS complexes measure 0.06 second. The
overall heart rate is 64 beats/minute. Which would be a correct interpretation based on
these characteristics?
1.
Sinus bradycardia
2.
Sick sinus syndrome
3.
Normal sinus rhythm
4.
First-degree heart block
CORRECT ANSWER
3
Normal sinus rhythm is defined as a regular rhythm, with an overall rate of 60 to 100
beats/minute. The PR and QRS measurements are normal, measuring 0.12 to 0.20
second and 0.04 to 0.10 second, respectively.
1
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,Question 2
A client is wearing a continuous cardiac monitor, which begins to sound its alarm. A nurse
sees no electrocardiographic complexes on the screen. Which is the priority action of the
nurse?
1.
Call a code.
2.
Call the health care provider.
3.
Check the client's status and lead placement.
4.
Press the recorder button on the electrocardiogram console.
CORRECT ANSWER
3
Sudden loss of electrocardiographic complexes indicates ventricular asystole or possibly
electrode displacement. Accurate assessment of the client and equipment is necessary to
determine the cause and identify the appropriate intervention. The remaining options
are secondary to client assessment.
Question 3
A client is having frequent premature ventricular contractions. The nurse should place
priority on assessment of which item?
2
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,1.
Sensation of palpitations
2.
Causative factors, such as caffeine
3.
Precipitating factors, such as infection
4.
Blood pressure and oxygen saturation
CORRECT ANSWER
4
Premature ventricular contractions can cause hemodynamic compromise. Therefore, the
priority is to monitor the blood pressure and oxygen saturation. The shortened
ventricular filling time can lead to decreased cardiac output. The client may be
asymptomatic or may feel palpitations. Premature ventricular contractions can be caused
by cardiac disorders, states of hypoxemia, or by any number of physiological stressors,
such as infection, illness, surgery, or trauma, and by intake of caffeine, nicotine, or
alcohol.
Question 4
The nurse is evaluating a client's response to cardioversion. Which observation would be
of highest priority to the nurse?
1.
Blood pressure
3
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, 2.
Status of airway
3.
Oxygen flow rate
4.
Level of consciousness
CORRECT ANSWER
2
Nursing responsibilities after cardioversion include maintenance first of a patent airway,
and then oxygen administration, assessment of vital signs and level of consciousness,
and dysrhythmia detection.
Question 5
A client's electrocardiogram strip shows atrial and ventricular rates of 110 beats/minute.
The PR interval is 0.14 second, the QRS complex measures 0.08 second, and the PP and RR
intervals are regular. How should the nurse correctly interpret this rhythm?
1.
Sinus dysrhythmia
2.
Sinus tachycardia
3.
Sinus bradycardia
4
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
