Sample Test Questions
Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Exam Sample Questions
1. Examination of a patient in a supine position reveals distended jugular
veins from the base of the neck to the angle of the jaw. This finding
indicates:
decreased venous return.
increased central venous pressure.
increased pulmonary artery capillary pressure.
left-sided heart failure.
2. When caring for a patient who has intermittent claudication, the
cardiac-vascular nurse advises the patient to:
apply graduated compression stockings before getting out of bed.
elevate their legs when sitting.
refrain from exercising.
walk as tolerated.
3. Which factor is most closely associated with successful smoking
cessation?
Enrollment in a short-term support group.
Lack of reliance on nicotine gum as a secondary intervention.
Preparation of a plan to deal with potential relapses.
Reliance on a single intervention.
4. A patient who is in the 10th week of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation
continues to exhibit symptoms of depression. When developing a
discharge plan, the cardiac-vascular nurse includes:
a referral for counseling and possible medication.
a trial of herbal remedies.
alternative therapies, including yoga and massage.
comprehensive information about the patient's cardiac status to help
reduce their anxiety.
5. When reviewing a patient's four-week diet history, the cardiac-vascular
nurse identifies a pattern of high-calorie intake on Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday nights. The patient states that their spouse recently started
taking a night class on those evenings at a local university. The patient's
diet history indicates:
a disabling family coping behavior.
a lack of dietary instruction.
a need for cooking classes.
, an individual coping behavior.
6. A patient who underwent a percutaneous, transluminal coronary
angioplasty four weeks ago has a subsequent ejection fraction of 30%. The
patient returns for a follow-up visit. Examination reveals lungs that are
clear on auscultation and slight pedal edema. The patient's medications
are digoxin (Lanoxin), furosemide (Lasix), enalapril maleate (Vasotec), and
aspirin. The patient reports a 5 lb (2.27 kg) weight gain over the past two
days. The cardiac-vascular nurse's initial action is to:
document the weight and reassess the patient at the next session.
inquire about the patient's medication compliance.
notify the patient's physician.
review the patient's most recent nuclear scan.
7. As the cardiac-vascular nurse prepares to administer an experimental
cardiac drug to a patient who is participating in a research study, the
patient states that they no longer want the medication. The nurse advises
the patient that:
participation in the study is critical to improving the quality of patient
outcomes.
the medication dose has been scheduled for administration.
the primary investigator will speak with the patient about their
decision.
they have the right to refuse the medication and to withdraw from the
study.
8. What is the primary consideration when preparing to administer
thrombolytic therapy to a patient who is experiencing an acute
myocardial infarction (MI)?
History of heart disease.
Sensitivity to aspirin.
Size and location of the MI.
Time since onset of symptoms.
9. A 55-year-old patient who is diagnosed with an evolving myocardial
infarction (MI) insists on going home. The cardiac-vascular nurse
encourages the patient to be admitted because the greatest risk within
the first 24 hours of sustaining an MI is:
heart failure.
pulmonary embolism.
ventricular aneurysm.
ventricular fibrillation.
Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Exam Sample Questions
1. Examination of a patient in a supine position reveals distended jugular
veins from the base of the neck to the angle of the jaw. This finding
indicates:
decreased venous return.
increased central venous pressure.
increased pulmonary artery capillary pressure.
left-sided heart failure.
2. When caring for a patient who has intermittent claudication, the
cardiac-vascular nurse advises the patient to:
apply graduated compression stockings before getting out of bed.
elevate their legs when sitting.
refrain from exercising.
walk as tolerated.
3. Which factor is most closely associated with successful smoking
cessation?
Enrollment in a short-term support group.
Lack of reliance on nicotine gum as a secondary intervention.
Preparation of a plan to deal with potential relapses.
Reliance on a single intervention.
4. A patient who is in the 10th week of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation
continues to exhibit symptoms of depression. When developing a
discharge plan, the cardiac-vascular nurse includes:
a referral for counseling and possible medication.
a trial of herbal remedies.
alternative therapies, including yoga and massage.
comprehensive information about the patient's cardiac status to help
reduce their anxiety.
5. When reviewing a patient's four-week diet history, the cardiac-vascular
nurse identifies a pattern of high-calorie intake on Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday nights. The patient states that their spouse recently started
taking a night class on those evenings at a local university. The patient's
diet history indicates:
a disabling family coping behavior.
a lack of dietary instruction.
a need for cooking classes.
, an individual coping behavior.
6. A patient who underwent a percutaneous, transluminal coronary
angioplasty four weeks ago has a subsequent ejection fraction of 30%. The
patient returns for a follow-up visit. Examination reveals lungs that are
clear on auscultation and slight pedal edema. The patient's medications
are digoxin (Lanoxin), furosemide (Lasix), enalapril maleate (Vasotec), and
aspirin. The patient reports a 5 lb (2.27 kg) weight gain over the past two
days. The cardiac-vascular nurse's initial action is to:
document the weight and reassess the patient at the next session.
inquire about the patient's medication compliance.
notify the patient's physician.
review the patient's most recent nuclear scan.
7. As the cardiac-vascular nurse prepares to administer an experimental
cardiac drug to a patient who is participating in a research study, the
patient states that they no longer want the medication. The nurse advises
the patient that:
participation in the study is critical to improving the quality of patient
outcomes.
the medication dose has been scheduled for administration.
the primary investigator will speak with the patient about their
decision.
they have the right to refuse the medication and to withdraw from the
study.
8. What is the primary consideration when preparing to administer
thrombolytic therapy to a patient who is experiencing an acute
myocardial infarction (MI)?
History of heart disease.
Sensitivity to aspirin.
Size and location of the MI.
Time since onset of symptoms.
9. A 55-year-old patient who is diagnosed with an evolving myocardial
infarction (MI) insists on going home. The cardiac-vascular nurse
encourages the patient to be admitted because the greatest risk within
the first 24 hours of sustaining an MI is:
heart failure.
pulmonary embolism.
ventricular aneurysm.
ventricular fibrillation.
