GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
NUR 242 — Exam 2
(Cardiovascular)
Complete Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
Topic: Cardiac Nursing — MI, Angina, Rehab, Valvular Disorders,
Hemodynamics, PVD — 140 Questions
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Cardiovascular Nursing (140 Questions) 2
NUR 242 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 242 EXAM 2 (CARDIOVASCULAR) PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. All questions are based on the Galen College of Nursing NUR 242 Medical-
Surgical Nursing Concepts curriculum.
Category: Cardiovascular Nursing — Comprehensive Review (140 Questions)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with chest pain. The client reports crushing chest
pain that occurs at rest and is not relieved by nitroglycerin. Which type of
angina is the client likely experiencing?
A. Unstable angina
B. Stable angina
C. Prinzmetal's angina
D. Silent angina
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Unstable angina occurs at rest and is not relieved by nitroglycerin. It is a
medical emergency and may indicate an impending myocardial infarction.
Tested Concept: Unstable angina
Source Concept: "Unstable angina: chest pain that occurs while a person is at rest and not
exerting themself, not relieved by nitro."
Easy
,2. A client with chest pain that occurs with activity and is relieved by rest and
nitroglycerin is likely experiencing which type of angina?
A. Stable angina
B. Unstable angina
C. Variant angina
D. Microvascular angina
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stable angina occurs with activity or stress and is relieved by rest or
nitroglycerin. It is predictable and usually related to a fixed coronary artery obstruction.
Tested Concept: Stable angina
Source Concept: "Stable angina: chest pain that occurs when a person is active or under
severe stress, IS relieved by nitro."
Easy
, 3. A nurse is caring for a client with acute MI. The EKG shows ST elevation. Which
type of MI is the client most likely experiencing?
A. STEMI
B. NSTEMI
C. Subendocardial MI
D. Transmural MI
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) is characterized by ST
elevation on EKG along with elevated cardiac markers. This indicates full-thickness
myocardial injury.
Tested Concept: STEMI
Source Concept: "EKG: ST elevation WITH cardiac markers = STEMI."
Easy
NUR 242 — Exam 2
(Cardiovascular)
Complete Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
Topic: Cardiac Nursing — MI, Angina, Rehab, Valvular Disorders,
Hemodynamics, PVD — 140 Questions
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Cardiovascular Nursing (140 Questions) 2
NUR 242 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 242 EXAM 2 (CARDIOVASCULAR) PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. All questions are based on the Galen College of Nursing NUR 242 Medical-
Surgical Nursing Concepts curriculum.
Category: Cardiovascular Nursing — Comprehensive Review (140 Questions)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with chest pain. The client reports crushing chest
pain that occurs at rest and is not relieved by nitroglycerin. Which type of
angina is the client likely experiencing?
A. Unstable angina
B. Stable angina
C. Prinzmetal's angina
D. Silent angina
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Unstable angina occurs at rest and is not relieved by nitroglycerin. It is a
medical emergency and may indicate an impending myocardial infarction.
Tested Concept: Unstable angina
Source Concept: "Unstable angina: chest pain that occurs while a person is at rest and not
exerting themself, not relieved by nitro."
Easy
,2. A client with chest pain that occurs with activity and is relieved by rest and
nitroglycerin is likely experiencing which type of angina?
A. Stable angina
B. Unstable angina
C. Variant angina
D. Microvascular angina
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stable angina occurs with activity or stress and is relieved by rest or
nitroglycerin. It is predictable and usually related to a fixed coronary artery obstruction.
Tested Concept: Stable angina
Source Concept: "Stable angina: chest pain that occurs when a person is active or under
severe stress, IS relieved by nitro."
Easy
, 3. A nurse is caring for a client with acute MI. The EKG shows ST elevation. Which
type of MI is the client most likely experiencing?
A. STEMI
B. NSTEMI
C. Subendocardial MI
D. Transmural MI
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) is characterized by ST
elevation on EKG along with elevated cardiac markers. This indicates full-thickness
myocardial injury.
Tested Concept: STEMI
Source Concept: "EKG: ST elevation WITH cardiac markers = STEMI."
Easy
