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KAPLAN CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING ASSESSMENT
2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NURSING
Prepare for the Kaplan Cardiovascular Nursing Assessment with a focused study
resource covering essential cardiovascular nursing concepts and patient-care
principles. It supports review of cardiovascular assessment, common disorders,
diagnostic findings, medications, nursing interventions, monitoring, and patient
safety. Use the material to reinforce key knowledge, strengthen clinical judgment, and
identify areas that may require additional study. This resource is best suited for
nursing students and NCLEX candidates preparing for cardiovascular nursing
assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
CARDIAC ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTICS
1. A nurse is auscultating heart sounds on a 55-year-old patient with a
history of hypertension. An S4 heart sound is heard. The nurse recognizes
that an S4 is most commonly associated with which condition?
• A) Heart failure
• B) Atrial fibrillation
• C) Ventricular hypertrophy
• D) Pericarditis
Answer: C) Ventricular hypertrophy
Rationale: An S4 gallop occurs during atrial contraction and is associated
with decreased ventricular compliance, commonly seen in conditions
such as left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, and ischemic heart
disease. S3 is more commonly associated with heart failure.
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2. During a cardiac examination, a nurse auscultates a murmur that is
described as a blowing, high-pitched, decrescendo diastolic murmur best
heard at the left third intercostal space. This murmur is characteristic of:
• A) Aortic stenosis
• B) Aortic regurgitation
• C) Mitral stenosis
• D) Mitral regurgitation
Answer: B) Aortic regurgitation
Rationale: Aortic regurgitation produces a blowing, high-pitched,
decrescendo diastolic murmur best heard at the left third and fourth
intercostal spaces (Erb's point) with the patient leaning forward and
exhaling. Aortic stenosis produces a systolic ejection murmur, mitral
stenosis produces a diastolic rumble, and mitral regurgitation produces a
holosystolic murmur.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient with chronic hypertension. Which finding
on cardiac examination is most consistent with left ventricular
hypertrophy?
• A) Apical impulse displaced laterally and downward
• B) Apical impulse at the midclavicular line
• C) Decreased intensity of the first heart sound
• D) Murmur at the right sternal border
Answer: A) Apical impulse displaced laterally and downward
Rationale: Left ventricular hypertrophy results in a sustained, forceful
apical impulse that is displaced laterally and downward. This occurs as
the left ventricle hypertrophies in response to chronic pressure overload
from hypertension.
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4. A patient presents with pitting edema. The nurse notes that the
indentation is 6 mm deep and rebounds within 25 seconds. How should
the nurse grade this edema?
• A) Grade 1
• B) Grade 2
• C) Grade 3
• D) Grade 4
Answer: C) Grade 3
Rationale: Grade 3 edema is characterized by a noticeably deep pit
(approximately 6 mm) that rebounds within 15-30 seconds, indicating a
moderate level of fluid accumulation. Grade 1 edema is 2 mm with rapid
rebound; Grade 2 is 4 mm with rebound in 10-15 seconds; Grade 4 is 8 mm
with rebound in > 30 seconds.
5. A nurse is preparing to measure a patient's jugular venous pressure
(JVP). At what angle should the patient's head of bed be positioned for
accurate measurement?
• A) 0 degrees (flat)
• B) 15-30 degrees
• C) 30-45 degrees
• D) 45-90 degrees
Answer: C) 30-45 degrees
Rationale: JVP is best assessed with the patient's head of bed elevated to
30-45 degrees. The internal jugular vein pulsations are observed and
measured in centimeters of water above the sternal angle. Elevated JVP (>
3 cm) indicates increased right heart pressure.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient's capillary refill time. Which of the
following is considered a normal finding?
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• A) Less than 2 seconds
• B) 2-3 seconds
• C) 3-5 seconds
• D) Greater than 5 seconds
Answer: A) Less than 2 seconds
Rationale: Normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds. Prolonged
capillary refill time (> 3 seconds) indicates decreased peripheral
perfusion and may be a sign of shock, dehydration, or peripheral vascular
disease.
7. A nurse is assessing peripheral pulses on a patient. Which pulse site is
most reliable for assessing cardiac output during a cardiac arrest?
• A) Radial pulse
• B) Brachial pulse
• C) Carotid pulse
• D) Femoral pulse
Answer: C) Carotid pulse
Rationale: The carotid pulse is the most reliable site for assessing cardiac
output during a cardiac arrest because it is a central pulse that remains
palpable even when peripheral pulses are absent. It is recommended for
pulse checks during CPR.
8. A nurse is reviewing a patient's lipid panel. Which of the following
values indicates the patient is at increased risk for cardiovascular
disease?
• A) LDL 130 mg/dL
• B) LDL 100 mg/dL
• C) LDL 70 mg/dL
KAPLAN CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING ASSESSMENT
2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NURSING
Prepare for the Kaplan Cardiovascular Nursing Assessment with a focused study
resource covering essential cardiovascular nursing concepts and patient-care
principles. It supports review of cardiovascular assessment, common disorders,
diagnostic findings, medications, nursing interventions, monitoring, and patient
safety. Use the material to reinforce key knowledge, strengthen clinical judgment, and
identify areas that may require additional study. This resource is best suited for
nursing students and NCLEX candidates preparing for cardiovascular nursing
assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
CARDIAC ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTICS
1. A nurse is auscultating heart sounds on a 55-year-old patient with a
history of hypertension. An S4 heart sound is heard. The nurse recognizes
that an S4 is most commonly associated with which condition?
• A) Heart failure
• B) Atrial fibrillation
• C) Ventricular hypertrophy
• D) Pericarditis
Answer: C) Ventricular hypertrophy
Rationale: An S4 gallop occurs during atrial contraction and is associated
with decreased ventricular compliance, commonly seen in conditions
such as left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, and ischemic heart
disease. S3 is more commonly associated with heart failure.
, Page 2 of 46
2. During a cardiac examination, a nurse auscultates a murmur that is
described as a blowing, high-pitched, decrescendo diastolic murmur best
heard at the left third intercostal space. This murmur is characteristic of:
• A) Aortic stenosis
• B) Aortic regurgitation
• C) Mitral stenosis
• D) Mitral regurgitation
Answer: B) Aortic regurgitation
Rationale: Aortic regurgitation produces a blowing, high-pitched,
decrescendo diastolic murmur best heard at the left third and fourth
intercostal spaces (Erb's point) with the patient leaning forward and
exhaling. Aortic stenosis produces a systolic ejection murmur, mitral
stenosis produces a diastolic rumble, and mitral regurgitation produces a
holosystolic murmur.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient with chronic hypertension. Which finding
on cardiac examination is most consistent with left ventricular
hypertrophy?
• A) Apical impulse displaced laterally and downward
• B) Apical impulse at the midclavicular line
• C) Decreased intensity of the first heart sound
• D) Murmur at the right sternal border
Answer: A) Apical impulse displaced laterally and downward
Rationale: Left ventricular hypertrophy results in a sustained, forceful
apical impulse that is displaced laterally and downward. This occurs as
the left ventricle hypertrophies in response to chronic pressure overload
from hypertension.
, Page 3 of 46
4. A patient presents with pitting edema. The nurse notes that the
indentation is 6 mm deep and rebounds within 25 seconds. How should
the nurse grade this edema?
• A) Grade 1
• B) Grade 2
• C) Grade 3
• D) Grade 4
Answer: C) Grade 3
Rationale: Grade 3 edema is characterized by a noticeably deep pit
(approximately 6 mm) that rebounds within 15-30 seconds, indicating a
moderate level of fluid accumulation. Grade 1 edema is 2 mm with rapid
rebound; Grade 2 is 4 mm with rebound in 10-15 seconds; Grade 4 is 8 mm
with rebound in > 30 seconds.
5. A nurse is preparing to measure a patient's jugular venous pressure
(JVP). At what angle should the patient's head of bed be positioned for
accurate measurement?
• A) 0 degrees (flat)
• B) 15-30 degrees
• C) 30-45 degrees
• D) 45-90 degrees
Answer: C) 30-45 degrees
Rationale: JVP is best assessed with the patient's head of bed elevated to
30-45 degrees. The internal jugular vein pulsations are observed and
measured in centimeters of water above the sternal angle. Elevated JVP (>
3 cm) indicates increased right heart pressure.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient's capillary refill time. Which of the
following is considered a normal finding?
, Page 4 of 46
• A) Less than 2 seconds
• B) 2-3 seconds
• C) 3-5 seconds
• D) Greater than 5 seconds
Answer: A) Less than 2 seconds
Rationale: Normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds. Prolonged
capillary refill time (> 3 seconds) indicates decreased peripheral
perfusion and may be a sign of shock, dehydration, or peripheral vascular
disease.
7. A nurse is assessing peripheral pulses on a patient. Which pulse site is
most reliable for assessing cardiac output during a cardiac arrest?
• A) Radial pulse
• B) Brachial pulse
• C) Carotid pulse
• D) Femoral pulse
Answer: C) Carotid pulse
Rationale: The carotid pulse is the most reliable site for assessing cardiac
output during a cardiac arrest because it is a central pulse that remains
palpable even when peripheral pulses are absent. It is recommended for
pulse checks during CPR.
8. A nurse is reviewing a patient's lipid panel. Which of the following
values indicates the patient is at increased risk for cardiovascular
disease?
• A) LDL 130 mg/dL
• B) LDL 100 mg/dL
• C) LDL 70 mg/dL
