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Nursing 354 Cardiovascular Nursing
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which finding is
most characteristic of this condition?
A. Dependent peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Pulmonary crackles and dyspnea
D. Enlarged liver
Answer: C. Pulmonary crackles and dyspnea
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary
circulation, resulting in pulmonary congestion, crackles, orthopnea, and
dyspnea.
2. Which assessment finding is most consistent with right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Dependent peripheral edema
,C. Pink frothy sputum
D. Severe orthopnea
Answer: B. Dependent peripheral edema
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion,
producing peripheral edema, jugular venous distention, hepatomegaly, and
weight gain.
3. A client reports crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm.
Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Pneumonia
C. Gastroesophageal reflux
D. Pericarditis
Answer: A. Acute myocardial infarction
Rationale: Crushing or pressure-like substernal chest pain with radiation to the
arm or jaw is a classic presentation of myocardial ischemia and possible
myocardial infarction.
4. Which cardiac biomarker is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. Myoglobin
B. Creatine kinase
C. Troponin
D. Lactate dehydrogenase
Answer: C. Troponin
Rationale: Cardiac troponins are highly specific for myocardial injury and are
central laboratory markers used in evaluating suspected acute coronary
syndrome.
5. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing acute chest pain suspected to be
caused by myocardial ischemia. Which medication is commonly
, administered to relieve ischemic chest discomfort when not
contraindicated?
A. Furosemide
B. Nitroglycerin
C. Digoxin
D. Atropine
Answer: B. Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation and decreases myocardial oxygen
demand, helping relieve anginal chest discomfort.
6. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client prescribed sublingual
nitroglycerin?
A. Swallow the tablet with water
B. Place the tablet under the tongue
C. Take the tablet only after eating
D. Store the tablets in a weekly pill organizer
Answer: B. Place the tablet under the tongue
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue for rapid
absorption. It should remain in its original container and be protected from
moisture.
7. Which finding is most concerning in a client with acute myocardial
infarction?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Heart rate of 82 beats/minute
C. New ventricular dysrhythmia
D. Mild fatigue
Answer: C. New ventricular dysrhythmia
Rationale: Ventricular dysrhythmias can rapidly compromise cardiac output and
may lead to cardiac arrest in clients experiencing acute myocardial infarction.
, 8. Which electrocardiogram finding is most associated with acute myocardial
injury?
A. ST-segment elevation
B. Prolonged PR interval only
C. Shortened QT interval
D. Normal sinus rhythm
Answer: A. ST-segment elevation
Rationale: ST-segment elevation may indicate acute myocardial injury,
particularly in clients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
9. Which lifestyle modification is most appropriate for a client with
hypertension?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Stop all physical activity
C. Follow a heart-healthy, reduced-sodium diet
D. Increase saturated-fat consumption
Answer: C. Follow a heart-healthy, reduced-sodium diet
Rationale: Reducing sodium intake and following a heart-healthy dietary pattern
can help lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk.
10.Which blood pressure reading represents hypertension requiring further
evaluation?
A. 88/52 mmHg
B. 100/60 mmHg
C. 118/72 mmHg
D. 168/96 mmHg
Answer: D. 168/96 mmHg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 168/96 mmHg is markedly elevated and requires
clinical evaluation and appropriate management.
Nursing 354 Cardiovascular Nursing
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which finding is
most characteristic of this condition?
A. Dependent peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Pulmonary crackles and dyspnea
D. Enlarged liver
Answer: C. Pulmonary crackles and dyspnea
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary
circulation, resulting in pulmonary congestion, crackles, orthopnea, and
dyspnea.
2. Which assessment finding is most consistent with right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Dependent peripheral edema
,C. Pink frothy sputum
D. Severe orthopnea
Answer: B. Dependent peripheral edema
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion,
producing peripheral edema, jugular venous distention, hepatomegaly, and
weight gain.
3. A client reports crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm.
Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Pneumonia
C. Gastroesophageal reflux
D. Pericarditis
Answer: A. Acute myocardial infarction
Rationale: Crushing or pressure-like substernal chest pain with radiation to the
arm or jaw is a classic presentation of myocardial ischemia and possible
myocardial infarction.
4. Which cardiac biomarker is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. Myoglobin
B. Creatine kinase
C. Troponin
D. Lactate dehydrogenase
Answer: C. Troponin
Rationale: Cardiac troponins are highly specific for myocardial injury and are
central laboratory markers used in evaluating suspected acute coronary
syndrome.
5. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing acute chest pain suspected to be
caused by myocardial ischemia. Which medication is commonly
, administered to relieve ischemic chest discomfort when not
contraindicated?
A. Furosemide
B. Nitroglycerin
C. Digoxin
D. Atropine
Answer: B. Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation and decreases myocardial oxygen
demand, helping relieve anginal chest discomfort.
6. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client prescribed sublingual
nitroglycerin?
A. Swallow the tablet with water
B. Place the tablet under the tongue
C. Take the tablet only after eating
D. Store the tablets in a weekly pill organizer
Answer: B. Place the tablet under the tongue
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue for rapid
absorption. It should remain in its original container and be protected from
moisture.
7. Which finding is most concerning in a client with acute myocardial
infarction?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Heart rate of 82 beats/minute
C. New ventricular dysrhythmia
D. Mild fatigue
Answer: C. New ventricular dysrhythmia
Rationale: Ventricular dysrhythmias can rapidly compromise cardiac output and
may lead to cardiac arrest in clients experiencing acute myocardial infarction.
, 8. Which electrocardiogram finding is most associated with acute myocardial
injury?
A. ST-segment elevation
B. Prolonged PR interval only
C. Shortened QT interval
D. Normal sinus rhythm
Answer: A. ST-segment elevation
Rationale: ST-segment elevation may indicate acute myocardial injury,
particularly in clients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
9. Which lifestyle modification is most appropriate for a client with
hypertension?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Stop all physical activity
C. Follow a heart-healthy, reduced-sodium diet
D. Increase saturated-fat consumption
Answer: C. Follow a heart-healthy, reduced-sodium diet
Rationale: Reducing sodium intake and following a heart-healthy dietary pattern
can help lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk.
10.Which blood pressure reading represents hypertension requiring further
evaluation?
A. 88/52 mmHg
B. 100/60 mmHg
C. 118/72 mmHg
D. 168/96 mmHg
Answer: D. 168/96 mmHg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 168/96 mmHg is markedly elevated and requires
clinical evaluation and appropriate management.
