GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING · PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM
NUR 242 Exam 4
Comprehensive Practice
Question Bank
Cardiovascular Nursing · Hemodynamics · CHF · Arrhythmias · PVD
Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts · NCLEX-Style Review
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Hemodynamics — Cardiac Output, Preload, Afterload, BP 2
3. Cardiac Diagnostic Tests & ECG Interpretation 3
4. Dysrhythmias — Afib, Tachycardia, Bradycardia, Vfib 4
5. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) 5
,6. Hypertension & Hypertensive Crisis 7
7. Atherosclerosis & Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) 8
8. Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) & DVT 9
9. Peripheral Vascular Disorders & Amputation 10
NUR 242 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 242 EXAM 4 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each question stem carefully, select your answer, then review the rationale to understand the clinical
reasoning behind the correct choice. Each question includes the tested concept and the source concept
from your course material. Questions marked with SATA require selecting all that apply.
Hemodynamics — Cardiac Output, Preload, Afterload, BP
1 The nurse is calculating a client's cardiac output. Which equation is correct for determining
cardiac output?
A CO = HR × SV
B CO = HR ÷ SV
C CO = SV × BP
D CO = BP ÷ HR
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Cardiac output (CO) equals heart rate (HR) multiplied by stroke volume (SV). This represents
the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute and is a key indicator of cardiac function.
Tested Concept: Cardiac output equation
Source Concept: CO = HR × SV.
2 The nurse is teaching a client about cardiovascular physiology. Which statement accurately
describes preload?
A "Preload is the resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood."
B "Preload is when the heart is being stretched out."
C "Preload is the amount of pressure generated by the left ventricle."
D "Preload is the force of blood against vessel walls."
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Preload is the stretching of the heart muscle fibers at end-diastole. The heart is being
stretched out by the volume of blood returning to the heart. It reflects how much fluid is in the heart.
Tested Concept: Preload definition
Source Concept: What is preload? The heart is being stretched out. What does preload reflect? How much fluid is in
the heart.
, 3 A client with congestive heart failure has increased preload. The nurse understands that this
means:
A The heart is being stretched by excess fluid volume
B The heart is experiencing increased resistance to ejection
C The heart is pumping too forcefully
D The heart rate is dangerously high
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: In congestive heart failure, fluid retention increases preload (stretching of the heart). The heart
is being stretched by excess fluid volume, which can lead to decreased contractility and worsening heart
failure.
Tested Concept: Increased preload in CHF
Source Concept: Example of increased preload: CHF.
4 The nurse is teaching a client about afterload. Which statement accurately describes
afterload?
A "Afterload is the stretching of the heart muscle at end-diastole."
B "Afterload is the amount of pressure generated by the left ventricle."
C "Afterload is the resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood."
D "Afterload is the force of blood against vessel walls."
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Afterload is the resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood during systole.
Increased afterload makes it harder for the heart to pump blood and increases cardiac workload.
Tested Concept: Afterload definition
Source Concept: What is afterload? Resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood. Example of increased
afterload: hypertension.
NUR 242 Exam 4
Comprehensive Practice
Question Bank
Cardiovascular Nursing · Hemodynamics · CHF · Arrhythmias · PVD
Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts · NCLEX-Style Review
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Hemodynamics — Cardiac Output, Preload, Afterload, BP 2
3. Cardiac Diagnostic Tests & ECG Interpretation 3
4. Dysrhythmias — Afib, Tachycardia, Bradycardia, Vfib 4
5. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) 5
,6. Hypertension & Hypertensive Crisis 7
7. Atherosclerosis & Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) 8
8. Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) & DVT 9
9. Peripheral Vascular Disorders & Amputation 10
NUR 242 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 242 EXAM 4 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each question stem carefully, select your answer, then review the rationale to understand the clinical
reasoning behind the correct choice. Each question includes the tested concept and the source concept
from your course material. Questions marked with SATA require selecting all that apply.
Hemodynamics — Cardiac Output, Preload, Afterload, BP
1 The nurse is calculating a client's cardiac output. Which equation is correct for determining
cardiac output?
A CO = HR × SV
B CO = HR ÷ SV
C CO = SV × BP
D CO = BP ÷ HR
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Cardiac output (CO) equals heart rate (HR) multiplied by stroke volume (SV). This represents
the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute and is a key indicator of cardiac function.
Tested Concept: Cardiac output equation
Source Concept: CO = HR × SV.
2 The nurse is teaching a client about cardiovascular physiology. Which statement accurately
describes preload?
A "Preload is the resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood."
B "Preload is when the heart is being stretched out."
C "Preload is the amount of pressure generated by the left ventricle."
D "Preload is the force of blood against vessel walls."
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Preload is the stretching of the heart muscle fibers at end-diastole. The heart is being
stretched out by the volume of blood returning to the heart. It reflects how much fluid is in the heart.
Tested Concept: Preload definition
Source Concept: What is preload? The heart is being stretched out. What does preload reflect? How much fluid is in
the heart.
, 3 A client with congestive heart failure has increased preload. The nurse understands that this
means:
A The heart is being stretched by excess fluid volume
B The heart is experiencing increased resistance to ejection
C The heart is pumping too forcefully
D The heart rate is dangerously high
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: In congestive heart failure, fluid retention increases preload (stretching of the heart). The heart
is being stretched by excess fluid volume, which can lead to decreased contractility and worsening heart
failure.
Tested Concept: Increased preload in CHF
Source Concept: Example of increased preload: CHF.
4 The nurse is teaching a client about afterload. Which statement accurately describes
afterload?
A "Afterload is the stretching of the heart muscle at end-diastole."
B "Afterload is the amount of pressure generated by the left ventricle."
C "Afterload is the resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood."
D "Afterload is the force of blood against vessel walls."
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Afterload is the resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood during systole.
Increased afterload makes it harder for the heart to pump blood and increases cardiac workload.
Tested Concept: Afterload definition
Source Concept: What is afterload? Resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood. Example of increased
afterload: hypertension.
