ATI RN Targeted Medical-
Surgical Cardiovascular
Practice Exam 2026–2027|
Complete Test Prep Practice
Questions With Answers &
Detailed Rationales |clinical
Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
1.
A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Dyspnea on exertion
C. Increased urine output
D. Decreased peripheral edema
Answer: B. Dyspnea on exertion
Rationale: Heart failure commonly causes pulmonary congestion and
reduced cardiac output, resulting in exertional dyspnea, fatigue, and
exercise intolerance.
2.
,A nurse is caring for a client who has left-sided heart failure. Which
finding is most concerning?
A. 1+ ankle edema
B. Fatigue
C. Crackles throughout both lung fields
D. Nocturia
Answer: C. Crackles throughout both lung fields
Rationale: Diffuse crackles indicate pulmonary fluid accumulation
and can signal worsening left-sided heart failure and pulmonary
edema.
3.
A client with heart failure reports gaining 2.3 kg (5 lb) over the past 3
days. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Encourage increased oral fluids.
B. Reassure the client that this is expected.
C. Notify the provider.
D. Encourage increased sodium intake.
Answer: C. Notify the provider.
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention and worsening
heart failure and should be reported promptly.
4.
A nurse is teaching a client with heart failure about daily weights.
Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Weigh after the evening meal.
B. Use a different scale each day.
,C. Wear different clothing each time.
D. Weigh at the same time each morning.
Answer: D. Weigh at the same time each morning.
Rationale: Consistent timing and conditions improve the accuracy of
weight trends used to detect fluid retention.
5.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to a
client experiencing acute pulmonary edema due to heart failure?
A. Ferrous sulfate
B. Furosemide
C. Potassium chloride
D. Warfarin
Answer: B. Furosemide
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes rapid sodium
and water excretion, reducing pulmonary congestion.
6.
A nurse is administering furosemide to a client with heart failure.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Calcium
B. Hemoglobin
C. Potassium
D. Platelets
Answer: C. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide can cause significant potassium loss,
increasing the risk of hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
, 7.
A client taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and seeing yellow
halos around lights. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the next dose.
B. Encourage a high-calcium diet.
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
D. Encourage additional fluids.
Answer: C. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
Rationale: GI symptoms and visual disturbances are manifestations
of digoxin toxicity.
8.
Before administering digoxin, which assessment is priority?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Oxygen saturation
D. Apical heart rate
Answer: D. Apical heart rate
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should assess
the apical pulse for a full minute before administration.
9.
Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
Surgical Cardiovascular
Practice Exam 2026–2027|
Complete Test Prep Practice
Questions With Answers &
Detailed Rationales |clinical
Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
1.
A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Dyspnea on exertion
C. Increased urine output
D. Decreased peripheral edema
Answer: B. Dyspnea on exertion
Rationale: Heart failure commonly causes pulmonary congestion and
reduced cardiac output, resulting in exertional dyspnea, fatigue, and
exercise intolerance.
2.
,A nurse is caring for a client who has left-sided heart failure. Which
finding is most concerning?
A. 1+ ankle edema
B. Fatigue
C. Crackles throughout both lung fields
D. Nocturia
Answer: C. Crackles throughout both lung fields
Rationale: Diffuse crackles indicate pulmonary fluid accumulation
and can signal worsening left-sided heart failure and pulmonary
edema.
3.
A client with heart failure reports gaining 2.3 kg (5 lb) over the past 3
days. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Encourage increased oral fluids.
B. Reassure the client that this is expected.
C. Notify the provider.
D. Encourage increased sodium intake.
Answer: C. Notify the provider.
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention and worsening
heart failure and should be reported promptly.
4.
A nurse is teaching a client with heart failure about daily weights.
Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Weigh after the evening meal.
B. Use a different scale each day.
,C. Wear different clothing each time.
D. Weigh at the same time each morning.
Answer: D. Weigh at the same time each morning.
Rationale: Consistent timing and conditions improve the accuracy of
weight trends used to detect fluid retention.
5.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to a
client experiencing acute pulmonary edema due to heart failure?
A. Ferrous sulfate
B. Furosemide
C. Potassium chloride
D. Warfarin
Answer: B. Furosemide
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes rapid sodium
and water excretion, reducing pulmonary congestion.
6.
A nurse is administering furosemide to a client with heart failure.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Calcium
B. Hemoglobin
C. Potassium
D. Platelets
Answer: C. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide can cause significant potassium loss,
increasing the risk of hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
, 7.
A client taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and seeing yellow
halos around lights. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the next dose.
B. Encourage a high-calcium diet.
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
D. Encourage additional fluids.
Answer: C. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
Rationale: GI symptoms and visual disturbances are manifestations
of digoxin toxicity.
8.
Before administering digoxin, which assessment is priority?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Oxygen saturation
D. Apical heart rate
Answer: D. Apical heart rate
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should assess
the apical pulse for a full minute before administration.
9.
Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
