NSG 240 MIDTERM SUCCESS GUIDE 2026/2027 | COMPREHENSIVE
NURSING REVIEW | HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED
ANSWERS | MOST TESTED TOPICS COMPLETE EXAM PREP
1. The cardiac care nurse is reviewing the conduction system of the heart. The
nurse is aware that electrical conduction of the heart usually originates in the
SA node and then proceeds in what sequence?
SA node to AV node to Purkinje fibers to bundle of His to left and right
bundle branches to myocardium
SA node to right and left bundle branches to bundle of His to AV node
to Purkinje fibers to myocardium
SA node to AV node to bundle of His to left and right bundle
branches to Purkinje fibers to myocardium
SA node to bundle of His to Purkinje fibers to AV node to myocardium
to left and right bundle branches
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with respiratory problems. Which assessment
finding indicates an early sign of hypoxia?
Cyanosis
Elevated blood pressure
Restlessness
Headache
3. Which patient should the nurse assess first ?
Patient complaining of incisional pain following a coronary artery
bypass graft
Patient for discharge following recovery from acute respiratory
distress syndrome
Patient with a chest tube complaining of difficulty breathing
, Patient with a tracheostomy who is on oxygen via tracheostomy mask
4. The nurse is listening to a client's heartbeat and is focusing on the second
heart sound. Which heart valves produce this sound?
Mitral and pulmonic
Aortic and pulmonic
Aortic and tricuspid
Mitral and tricuspid
5. If a patient’s oxygen saturation drops to 87% during suctioning, what should
the nurse do next?
Continue suctioning until the pulse increases.
Stop suctioning and provide supplemental oxygen.
Increase the suction pressure to clear the airway.
Document the findings and continue with the procedure.
6. What is the priority assessment for a patient with cervical trauma to C4?
Blood pressure
Pulse
Respirations
Temperature
7. If the nurse encounters a patient with severe hypercapnia who is also
showing signs of confusion, what immediate action should the nurse take?
Place the patient in a supine position to ease breathing.
, Administer supplemental oxygen and prepare for possible
intubation.
Encourage the patient to cough to clear secretions.
Monitor vital signs and wait for the physician's orders.
8. Describe why carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous for individuals with
respiratory problems.
Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin more effectively than
oxygen, leading to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.
Carbon monoxide increases the respiratory rate, causing
hyperventilation.
Carbon monoxide prevents the lungs from exchanging gases
effectively.
Carbon monoxide causes inflammation in the lungs, making breathing
difficult.
9. What is the formula used to calculate cardiac output?
Cardiac Output = Stroke Volume + Heart Rate
Cardiac Output = Stroke Volume x Heart Rate
Cardiac Output = Blood Volume / Heart Rate
Cardiac Output = Blood Pressure x Heart Rate
10. What equipment is essential for measuring blood pressure in order to assess
afterload?
Pulse oximeter
Oxygen cannula
Yankauer suction tip catheter
, Blood pressure cuff
11. Describe why intravenous (IV) fluids are indicated for a patient with
decreased preload due to low fluid volume.
Intravenous (IV) fluids reduce blood pressure and decrease heart
workload.
Intravenous (IV) fluids help to increase blood volume and improve
preload, which is essential for adequate cardiac output.
Intravenous (IV) fluids are used to treat respiratory infections.
Intravenous (IV) fluids promote gas exchange in the alveoli.
12. Describe the relationship between stroke volume and heart rate in
determining cardiac output.
Cardiac output is the product of stroke volume and heart rate,
indicating how much blood is pumped by the heart per minute.
Cardiac output is inversely related to stroke volume and heart rate.
Cardiac output is the sum of stroke volume and heart rate, reflecting
total blood flow.
Cardiac output is solely dependent on heart rate, regardless of stroke
volume.
13. A nurse is monitoring a patient with right-sided heart failure who has
developed sudden weight gain and increased swelling in the legs. What
should the nurse prioritize in the patient's care plan?
Administering oxygen therapy immediately
Increasing physical activity to improve circulation
Assessing fluid status and adjusting diuretics as needed
NURSING REVIEW | HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED
ANSWERS | MOST TESTED TOPICS COMPLETE EXAM PREP
1. The cardiac care nurse is reviewing the conduction system of the heart. The
nurse is aware that electrical conduction of the heart usually originates in the
SA node and then proceeds in what sequence?
SA node to AV node to Purkinje fibers to bundle of His to left and right
bundle branches to myocardium
SA node to right and left bundle branches to bundle of His to AV node
to Purkinje fibers to myocardium
SA node to AV node to bundle of His to left and right bundle
branches to Purkinje fibers to myocardium
SA node to bundle of His to Purkinje fibers to AV node to myocardium
to left and right bundle branches
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with respiratory problems. Which assessment
finding indicates an early sign of hypoxia?
Cyanosis
Elevated blood pressure
Restlessness
Headache
3. Which patient should the nurse assess first ?
Patient complaining of incisional pain following a coronary artery
bypass graft
Patient for discharge following recovery from acute respiratory
distress syndrome
Patient with a chest tube complaining of difficulty breathing
, Patient with a tracheostomy who is on oxygen via tracheostomy mask
4. The nurse is listening to a client's heartbeat and is focusing on the second
heart sound. Which heart valves produce this sound?
Mitral and pulmonic
Aortic and pulmonic
Aortic and tricuspid
Mitral and tricuspid
5. If a patient’s oxygen saturation drops to 87% during suctioning, what should
the nurse do next?
Continue suctioning until the pulse increases.
Stop suctioning and provide supplemental oxygen.
Increase the suction pressure to clear the airway.
Document the findings and continue with the procedure.
6. What is the priority assessment for a patient with cervical trauma to C4?
Blood pressure
Pulse
Respirations
Temperature
7. If the nurse encounters a patient with severe hypercapnia who is also
showing signs of confusion, what immediate action should the nurse take?
Place the patient in a supine position to ease breathing.
, Administer supplemental oxygen and prepare for possible
intubation.
Encourage the patient to cough to clear secretions.
Monitor vital signs and wait for the physician's orders.
8. Describe why carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous for individuals with
respiratory problems.
Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin more effectively than
oxygen, leading to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.
Carbon monoxide increases the respiratory rate, causing
hyperventilation.
Carbon monoxide prevents the lungs from exchanging gases
effectively.
Carbon monoxide causes inflammation in the lungs, making breathing
difficult.
9. What is the formula used to calculate cardiac output?
Cardiac Output = Stroke Volume + Heart Rate
Cardiac Output = Stroke Volume x Heart Rate
Cardiac Output = Blood Volume / Heart Rate
Cardiac Output = Blood Pressure x Heart Rate
10. What equipment is essential for measuring blood pressure in order to assess
afterload?
Pulse oximeter
Oxygen cannula
Yankauer suction tip catheter
, Blood pressure cuff
11. Describe why intravenous (IV) fluids are indicated for a patient with
decreased preload due to low fluid volume.
Intravenous (IV) fluids reduce blood pressure and decrease heart
workload.
Intravenous (IV) fluids help to increase blood volume and improve
preload, which is essential for adequate cardiac output.
Intravenous (IV) fluids are used to treat respiratory infections.
Intravenous (IV) fluids promote gas exchange in the alveoli.
12. Describe the relationship between stroke volume and heart rate in
determining cardiac output.
Cardiac output is the product of stroke volume and heart rate,
indicating how much blood is pumped by the heart per minute.
Cardiac output is inversely related to stroke volume and heart rate.
Cardiac output is the sum of stroke volume and heart rate, reflecting
total blood flow.
Cardiac output is solely dependent on heart rate, regardless of stroke
volume.
13. A nurse is monitoring a patient with right-sided heart failure who has
developed sudden weight gain and increased swelling in the legs. What
should the nurse prioritize in the patient's care plan?
Administering oxygen therapy immediately
Increasing physical activity to improve circulation
Assessing fluid status and adjusting diuretics as needed
