1
CARDIOVASCULAR (Q1–15)
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab value should the nurse
monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B — Loop diuretics cause potassium loss (hypokalemia).
2. A client reports chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin. The nurse should first:
A. Administer another nitroglycerin
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Give morphine
D. Reposition the client
Answer: B — ECG is priority to evaluate for MI.
3. Which finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate 88
B. Visual halos and nausea
C. Blood pressure 130/80
D. Dry mouth
Answer: B — Visual disturbances and GI upset are signs of toxicity.
4. A client with atrial fibrillation is on warfarin. Which lab is monitored?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelets
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B — INR monitors warfarin therapy.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet for heart failure. Which food should
the client avoid?
A. Fresh fruit
B. Canned soup
C. Brown rice
D. Grilled chicken
Answer: B — Canned soup is high in sodium.
6. Which sign indicates right-sided heart failure?
A. Crackles
B. Peripheral edema
C. Orthopnea
, 2
D. Pink frothy sputum
Answer: B — Right-sided failure causes peripheral edema and JVD.
7. A client post-MI reports sudden severe chest pain and shortness of breath. The nurse
suspects:
A. Angina
B. Reinfarction
C. Anxiety
D. Pneumonia
Answer: B — Reinfarction is a risk post-MI.
8. A nurse is administering heparin. Which lab is monitored?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. PT
D. Bleeding time
Answer: B — aPTT monitors heparin.
9. Which client is at highest risk for heart failure?
A. Client with hypertension
B. Client with asthma
C. Client with arthritis
D. Client with migraines
Answer: A — Hypertension is a major risk factor.
10. A client with a pacemaker should avoid:
A. Walking
B. MRI without clearance
C. Drinking water
D. Sleeping on the back
Answer: B — MRI can interfere with pacemaker function.
11. A nurse is assessing a client with pericarditis. Which finding is expected?
A. Pain relieved by leaning forward
B. Pain relieved by lying flat
C. Pain with eating
D. Pain with urination
Answer: A — Pericarditis pain improves with leaning forward.
12. A client is on a statin. Which lab should be monitored?
A. Liver function
B. Kidney function
C. Glucose
, 3
D. Calcium
Answer: A — Statins can elevate liver enzymes.
13. Which symptom indicates cardiogenic shock?
A. Warm extremities
B. Hypotension and tachycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B — Cardiogenic shock causes hypotension and tachycardia.
14. A client with DVT is at risk for:
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Stroke
C. MI
D. Aneurysm
Answer: A — DVT can embolize to the lungs.
15. A nurse is teaching about nitroglycerin. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I should take it with food."
B. "I should call 911 if pain persists after 3 doses."
C. "I can take it with Viagra."
D. "I should swallow it whole."
Answer: B — 3 doses/15 minutes without relief = emergency.
RESPIRATORY (Q16–30)
16. A client with COPD is on oxygen. What is the target SpO2?
A. 100%
B. 88–92%
C. 95–100%
D. 80–85%
Answer: B — COPD clients need controlled oxygen.
17. Which finding indicates respiratory distress?
A. Respiratory rate 16
B. Use of accessory muscles
C. SpO2 98%
D. Clear lungs
Answer: B — Accessory muscle use indicates distress.
18. A client with pneumonia has crackles. The nurse should:
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
B. Restrict fluids
CARDIOVASCULAR (Q1–15)
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab value should the nurse
monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B — Loop diuretics cause potassium loss (hypokalemia).
2. A client reports chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin. The nurse should first:
A. Administer another nitroglycerin
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Give morphine
D. Reposition the client
Answer: B — ECG is priority to evaluate for MI.
3. Which finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate 88
B. Visual halos and nausea
C. Blood pressure 130/80
D. Dry mouth
Answer: B — Visual disturbances and GI upset are signs of toxicity.
4. A client with atrial fibrillation is on warfarin. Which lab is monitored?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelets
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B — INR monitors warfarin therapy.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet for heart failure. Which food should
the client avoid?
A. Fresh fruit
B. Canned soup
C. Brown rice
D. Grilled chicken
Answer: B — Canned soup is high in sodium.
6. Which sign indicates right-sided heart failure?
A. Crackles
B. Peripheral edema
C. Orthopnea
, 2
D. Pink frothy sputum
Answer: B — Right-sided failure causes peripheral edema and JVD.
7. A client post-MI reports sudden severe chest pain and shortness of breath. The nurse
suspects:
A. Angina
B. Reinfarction
C. Anxiety
D. Pneumonia
Answer: B — Reinfarction is a risk post-MI.
8. A nurse is administering heparin. Which lab is monitored?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. PT
D. Bleeding time
Answer: B — aPTT monitors heparin.
9. Which client is at highest risk for heart failure?
A. Client with hypertension
B. Client with asthma
C. Client with arthritis
D. Client with migraines
Answer: A — Hypertension is a major risk factor.
10. A client with a pacemaker should avoid:
A. Walking
B. MRI without clearance
C. Drinking water
D. Sleeping on the back
Answer: B — MRI can interfere with pacemaker function.
11. A nurse is assessing a client with pericarditis. Which finding is expected?
A. Pain relieved by leaning forward
B. Pain relieved by lying flat
C. Pain with eating
D. Pain with urination
Answer: A — Pericarditis pain improves with leaning forward.
12. A client is on a statin. Which lab should be monitored?
A. Liver function
B. Kidney function
C. Glucose
, 3
D. Calcium
Answer: A — Statins can elevate liver enzymes.
13. Which symptom indicates cardiogenic shock?
A. Warm extremities
B. Hypotension and tachycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B — Cardiogenic shock causes hypotension and tachycardia.
14. A client with DVT is at risk for:
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Stroke
C. MI
D. Aneurysm
Answer: A — DVT can embolize to the lungs.
15. A nurse is teaching about nitroglycerin. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I should take it with food."
B. "I should call 911 if pain persists after 3 doses."
C. "I can take it with Viagra."
D. "I should swallow it whole."
Answer: B — 3 doses/15 minutes without relief = emergency.
RESPIRATORY (Q16–30)
16. A client with COPD is on oxygen. What is the target SpO2?
A. 100%
B. 88–92%
C. 95–100%
D. 80–85%
Answer: B — COPD clients need controlled oxygen.
17. Which finding indicates respiratory distress?
A. Respiratory rate 16
B. Use of accessory muscles
C. SpO2 98%
D. Clear lungs
Answer: B — Accessory muscle use indicates distress.
18. A client with pneumonia has crackles. The nurse should:
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
B. Restrict fluids
