MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING: CARDIOVASCULAR &
HEMATOLOGY DISORDERS - 330 NCLEX QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES
Medical-Surgical Nursing: Cardiovascular & Hematology Disorders - 330 NCLEX Questions with
Rationales
Course: Med-Surg Cardiovascular | Total: 330 Questions | Format: Q + Options + Answer + Rationale | Edition: 2026
NCLEX-RN High-Yield | Author: Original Content
All questions are original and based on current nursing textbooks (Lewis, Saunders, ATI). Not copied from any exam bank.
[1] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[2] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[3] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
[4] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
Skip ECG
Remove dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Post-pacemaker: monitor site for bleeding/infection, check ECG for pacer spikes/capture, limit arm movement
initially.
[5] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[6] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[7] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
[8] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
Skip ECG
Remove dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Post-pacemaker: monitor site for bleeding/infection, check ECG for pacer spikes/capture, limit arm movement
initially.
[9] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[10] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[11] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
,[12] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
Skip ECG
Remove dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Post-pacemaker: monitor site for bleeding/infection, check ECG for pacer spikes/capture, limit arm movement
initially.
[13] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[14] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[15] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
[16] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
Skip ECG
Remove dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Post-pacemaker: monitor site for bleeding/infection, check ECG for pacer spikes/capture, limit arm movement
initially.
[17] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[18] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
, Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[19] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
[20] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
Skip ECG
Remove dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Post-pacemaker: monitor site for bleeding/infection, check ECG for pacer spikes/capture, limit arm movement
initially.
[21] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[22] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[23] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
[24] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
HEMATOLOGY DISORDERS - 330 NCLEX QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES
Medical-Surgical Nursing: Cardiovascular & Hematology Disorders - 330 NCLEX Questions with
Rationales
Course: Med-Surg Cardiovascular | Total: 330 Questions | Format: Q + Options + Answer + Rationale | Edition: 2026
NCLEX-RN High-Yield | Author: Original Content
All questions are original and based on current nursing textbooks (Lewis, Saunders, ATI). Not copied from any exam bank.
[1] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[2] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[3] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
[4] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
Skip ECG
Remove dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Post-pacemaker: monitor site for bleeding/infection, check ECG for pacer spikes/capture, limit arm movement
initially.
[5] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[6] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[7] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
[8] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
Skip ECG
Remove dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Post-pacemaker: monitor site for bleeding/infection, check ECG for pacer spikes/capture, limit arm movement
initially.
[9] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[10] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[11] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
,[12] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
Skip ECG
Remove dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Post-pacemaker: monitor site for bleeding/infection, check ECG for pacer spikes/capture, limit arm movement
initially.
[13] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[14] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[15] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
[16] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
Skip ECG
Remove dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Post-pacemaker: monitor site for bleeding/infection, check ECG for pacer spikes/capture, limit arm movement
initially.
[17] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[18] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
, Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[19] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
[20] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
Skip ECG
Remove dressing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Post-pacemaker: monitor site for bleeding/infection, check ECG for pacer spikes/capture, limit arm movement
initially.
[21] HF - left vs right: Left-sided HF manifests as?
Pulmonary congestion: dyspnea, crackles, cough with frothy sputum
Peripheral edema only
Jugular distention only
Ascites only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left HF backs up to lungs -> pulmonary edema. Right HF backs up to body -> peripheral edema, JVD, ascites,
weight gain.
[22] Digoxin toxicity: Signs of digoxin toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), bradycardia
Tachycardia only
Hypertension
Hyperactivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity: GI upset, anorexia, visual halos, bradycardia, confusion. Check K+, Mg2+, dig level.
[23] MI labs: Cardiac enzyme that rises within 3-6 hours post MI and most specific?
Troponin I
CK-MM
Myoglobin only
BNP
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin I rises 3-6h, peaks 12-24h, stays elevated 7-10 days. Most specific for cardiac injury.
[24] Pacemaker: After pacemaker insertion, priority?
Monitor incision for bleeding and check capture on ECG
Encourage arm raising above head
