AACN CCRN Cardiovascular Study Questions With 100% Correct Answers Grade A Certified 2025/26

Signs of instability for possible cardioversion - correct answersHypotension. Mental status changes. Chest pain. SOB. Crackles. Cold clammy skin. Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia and hyperkalemia treatment? - correct answersCalcium to prevent ventricular fibrillation. Calcium stabilizes cardiac heart tissues. Idiopathic cardiomyopathy signs and symptoms - correct answersSOB, 4+ edema, O2% decreases, EF 40% or less, lack of energy, S3 and S4 heart sounds. Signs of pulmonary edema - correct answersHTN. Heart failure with EF 15%. S3 heart sounds. Increased work of breathing. Accessory muscle use. What always indicates myocardial contusion due to blunt cardiac trauma? - correct answersCardiac dysrhythmia. Signs of Papillary muscle rupture in an acute myocardial infarction. - correct answersNew murmur with acute myocardial infarction. What is Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? - correct answersA genetically inherited disease characterized by an asymmetrical ventricular septal wall thickening that can cause diastolic heart failure and sudden cardiac death. What is dilated cardiomyopathy? - correct answersCommon cause of systolic heart failure. As the left ventricular wall thins, the heart dilates. Loss of inotropy. Left ventricular ejection fraction drops and heart failure develops. SYSTOLIC HEART FAILURE = LVEF 40%. Restrictive cardiomyopathy - correct answersVentricles stiffen due to infiltration of fibroelastic tissues into cardiac muscle. Rigidity of myocardial wall - can't expand during cardiac filling. Causes diastolic failure. Amyloid is an abnormal protein that infiltrates healthy tissue. Results in firm myocardial wall, but not dilated. Atrial dilation results from increased pressure and resistance. Sudden decompensation from acute or myocardial trauma. Where is the hemorrhage? - correct answersWith sudden decompensation, the patient is likely hemorrhaging into the mediastinum or pericardial sac. What happens when verapamil (calan) is given for Wolff-parkinson-white syndrome? What side effects was causes by verapamil (calan)? What to do initially? - correct answersUnconscious, wide complex tachycardia, weak pulse, hypotension. Verapamil blocked the AV node, but not the pathway of Wolff-Parkinson-white syndrome. Patient became hypotensive and became unstable. Prepare for synchronized cardioversion. What is a complication of a hypertensive crisis? - correct answersIntracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Thrombotic event can lead to cerebral infarction. Signs of pseudoaneurysym from a femoral puncture site. - correct answersOccur at femoral puncture site. Pulsatile hematoma, thrill, or bruit. 2 hours after a cardiac catheterization with lower back pain and bruising to the right flank. What to suspect? - correct answersRetroperitoneal bleeding. Back pain, and Grey's turner. What are the leads on a 12-leas ECG for low and high lateral wall MIs? - correct answersIn a 12-lead ECG, leads 1, aVL, V5 , and V6. Left ventricular dysfunction will cause what, and what helps decrease strain on heart while helping the heart pump more effectively? - correct answersWill cause fluid backup into the lungs. Decrease preload helps decrease strain on left ventricle of heart. Decrease afterload helps left ventricle to pump more effectively. Which assessment finding confirms acute occlusion following a femoropoiteal bypass? - correct answersDecrease strength of the doppler signal. Pulse checks are performed frequently and the physician is notified of any decrease in the strength of the doppler signal. Ankle-brachial index of less than 90% is considered abnormal. As the ratio goes down, the severity of the obstruction increases. evidence-based practice guidelines for a thoracic aortic aneurysm. - correct answersSurgical repair if aneurysm diameter is 5.5 cm or more. Surgical repair if Ascending aneurysm diameter is 5.5 cm or more. Most aneurysms are asymptotic at the time of diagnosis. Rheumatic fever and damaging heart valves lead to what? - correct answersDamage heart valves. Leading to valve regurgitation which develops CHF. What does Mitral regurgitation and prominent large V waves on a PA occlusive pressure reading mean? - correct answersLarge V waves is associated with increased left atrial pressure. Mitral regurgitation creates a volume overload for the left atrium, elevating left atrial pressure. What causes a murmur? - correct answersMurmur is caused by backward flow of blood from an area of higher pressure to lower pressure. Mitral stenosis associated with what murmur, heard where, and increases pressure in which part of the heart? - correct answersDiastolic murmur. Heard at apex of heart. Increases left atrial pressure. Aortic regurgitation heard where and which murmur? - correct answersDiastolic murmur heard over erb's point. A murmur associated with Aortic stenosis is described as? - correct answerscrescendo-decrescendo systolic murmor heard in aortic areas. Sound increases and then decreases in intensity. How can cardiac tamponade occur following CABG? - correct answersIf blood collects in the mediastinal sac and interferes with the heart's ability to pump effectively. ECG shows Q waves, ST segment elevation, T wave inversion in leads v1-v3. Which artery is occluded? - correct answersOcclusion of the LAD artery. What are the signs/symtpoms of dissecting aortic aneurysm pain? - correct answersA sudden sharp stabbing, and tearing pain. What is the sign of an Acute Myocardial Infarction pain? - correct answersA squeezing tight chest pressure.