AACN CSC -CARDIAC SURGERY CERTIFICATION
|ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
While assessing an older adult patient, the nurse notes jugular venous distention (JVD)
with the head of the patient's bed elevated 45 degrees. What does this finding indicate?
a. Decreased fluid volume
b. Jugular vein atherosclerosis
c. Increased right atrial pressure
d. Incompetent jugular vein valves
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Question 2
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving IV furosemide (Lasix) and morphine for
the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with severe orthopnea. Which
clinical
finding is the best indicator that the treatment has been effective?
a. Weight loss of 2 lb in 24 hours
b. Hourly urine output greater than 60 mL
c. Reduced dyspnea with the head of bed at 30 degrees
d. Patient denies experiencing chest pain or chest pressure
CORRECT ANSWER
C
1
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,Question 3
Which topic will the nurse plan to include in discharge teaching for a patient who has
heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)?
a. Need to begin an aerobic exercise program several times weekly
b. Benefits and effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
c. Use of salt substitutes to replace table salt when cooking and at the table
d. Importance of making an annual appointment with the health care provider
CORRECT ANSWER
B
Question 4
IV sodium nitroprusside is ordered for a patient with acute pulmonary edema. Which
reassessment finding during the first hours of administration indicates that the nurse
should
decrease the rate of nitroprusside infusion?
a. Ventricular ectopy
b. Dry, hacking cough
c. Systolic BP below 90 mm Hg
d. Heart rate below 50 beats/min
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Question 5
A patient who has chronic heart failure tells the nurse, "I was fine when I went to bed, but
I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I was suffocating!" How should the nurse
document this finding?
2
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,a. Orthopnea
b. Pulsus alternans
c. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
d. Acute bilateral pleural effusion
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Question 6
Which statement by a patient with newly diagnosed heart failure indicates to the nurse
that teaching was effective?
a. "I will take furosemide (Lasix) every day just before bedtime."
b. "I will use the nitroglycerin patch whenever I have chest pain."
c. "I will use an additional pillow if I am short of breath at night."
d. "I will call the clinic if my weight goes up 3 pounds in a week."
CORRECT ANSWER
D
Question 7
When teaching a patient with heart failure on a 2000-mg sodium diet, which foods should
the nurse recommend limiting?
a. Chicken and eggs
b. Canned and frozen fruits
c. Yogurt and milk products
d. Fresh or frozen vegetables
CORRECT ANSWER
C
3
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, Question 8
The nurse plans discharge teaching for a patient with chronic heart failure who has
prescriptions for digoxin (Lanoxin) and hydrochlorothiazide. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
a. Limit dietary sources of potassium.
b. Take the hydrochlorothiazide at bedtime.
c. Notify the health care provider if nausea develops.
d. Take the digoxin if the pulse is below 60 beats/min.
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Question 9
While admitting an 82-yr-old patient with acute decompensated heart failure to the
hospital,
the nurse learns that the patient lives alone and sometimes confuses the "water pill" with
the
"heart pill." What should the nurse include in the discharge plan?
a. Consult with a psychologist.
b. Transfer to a long-term care facility.
c. Referral to a home health care agency.
d. Arrangements for around-the-clock care.
CORRECT ANSWER
C
4
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
|ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
While assessing an older adult patient, the nurse notes jugular venous distention (JVD)
with the head of the patient's bed elevated 45 degrees. What does this finding indicate?
a. Decreased fluid volume
b. Jugular vein atherosclerosis
c. Increased right atrial pressure
d. Incompetent jugular vein valves
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Question 2
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving IV furosemide (Lasix) and morphine for
the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with severe orthopnea. Which
clinical
finding is the best indicator that the treatment has been effective?
a. Weight loss of 2 lb in 24 hours
b. Hourly urine output greater than 60 mL
c. Reduced dyspnea with the head of bed at 30 degrees
d. Patient denies experiencing chest pain or chest pressure
CORRECT ANSWER
C
1
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,Question 3
Which topic will the nurse plan to include in discharge teaching for a patient who has
heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)?
a. Need to begin an aerobic exercise program several times weekly
b. Benefits and effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
c. Use of salt substitutes to replace table salt when cooking and at the table
d. Importance of making an annual appointment with the health care provider
CORRECT ANSWER
B
Question 4
IV sodium nitroprusside is ordered for a patient with acute pulmonary edema. Which
reassessment finding during the first hours of administration indicates that the nurse
should
decrease the rate of nitroprusside infusion?
a. Ventricular ectopy
b. Dry, hacking cough
c. Systolic BP below 90 mm Hg
d. Heart rate below 50 beats/min
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Question 5
A patient who has chronic heart failure tells the nurse, "I was fine when I went to bed, but
I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I was suffocating!" How should the nurse
document this finding?
2
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,a. Orthopnea
b. Pulsus alternans
c. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
d. Acute bilateral pleural effusion
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Question 6
Which statement by a patient with newly diagnosed heart failure indicates to the nurse
that teaching was effective?
a. "I will take furosemide (Lasix) every day just before bedtime."
b. "I will use the nitroglycerin patch whenever I have chest pain."
c. "I will use an additional pillow if I am short of breath at night."
d. "I will call the clinic if my weight goes up 3 pounds in a week."
CORRECT ANSWER
D
Question 7
When teaching a patient with heart failure on a 2000-mg sodium diet, which foods should
the nurse recommend limiting?
a. Chicken and eggs
b. Canned and frozen fruits
c. Yogurt and milk products
d. Fresh or frozen vegetables
CORRECT ANSWER
C
3
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, Question 8
The nurse plans discharge teaching for a patient with chronic heart failure who has
prescriptions for digoxin (Lanoxin) and hydrochlorothiazide. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
a. Limit dietary sources of potassium.
b. Take the hydrochlorothiazide at bedtime.
c. Notify the health care provider if nausea develops.
d. Take the digoxin if the pulse is below 60 beats/min.
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Question 9
While admitting an 82-yr-old patient with acute decompensated heart failure to the
hospital,
the nurse learns that the patient lives alone and sometimes confuses the "water pill" with
the
"heart pill." What should the nurse include in the discharge plan?
a. Consult with a psychologist.
b. Transfer to a long-term care facility.
c. Referral to a home health care agency.
d. Arrangements for around-the-clock care.
CORRECT ANSWER
C
4
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
