NUR 209 Medical-Surgical Nursing II
2025 – Complete Exam Guide with
Verified Answers
Cardiac Nursing Care (10 Questions)
Question 1: Multiple-Choice
A nurse is monitoring a client 12 hours post-myocardial infarction (MI). Which complication
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Ventricular dysrhythmias
C. Cardiogenic shock
D. Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ventricular dysrhythmias (B) are the most common and life-threatening complication
within the first 24 hours post-MI due to irritable ischemic tissue disrupting the heart’s electrical
conduction. Pulmonary edema (A) and cardiogenic shock (C) may occur later, while pericarditis
(D) is less immediate.
Question 2: Select-All-That-Apply
A client with heart failure reports dyspnea. Which nursing interventions are appropriate? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Elevate the head of the bed
B. Administer furosemide as prescribed
C. Restrict fluid intake to 500 mL/day
D. Monitor oxygen saturation
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed (A) improves breathing, furosemide (B) reduces fluid
overload, and monitoring oxygen saturation (D) assesses respiratory status. Restricting fluids to
500 mL/day (C) is excessive and requires a provider order.
Question 3: Case Study (3 Questions)
Case Study: A 65-year-old client with a history of hypertension presents with chest pain and is
diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The nurse initiates care.
Question 3.1: Multiple-Choice
, What is the priority nursing action for this client?
A. Administer nitroglycerin sublingually
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Start oxygen at 2 L/min
D. Draw cardiac enzymes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Obtaining a 12-lead ECG (B) is the priority to confirm the diagnosis of ACS and
guide treatment. Nitroglycerin (A), oxygen (C), and cardiac enzymes (D) follow based on ECG
findings.
Question 3.2: Matrix
Match the intervention with its purpose for ACS:
Intervention Purpose
A. Dilates coronary
Nitroglycerin
arteries
B. Prevents platelet
Aspirin
aggregation
C. Improves
Oxygen myocardial
oxygenation
Correct Answers: Nitroglycerin: A, Aspirin: B, Oxygen: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin (A) dilates coronary arteries to improve blood
flow, aspirin (B) prevents clot formation, and oxygen (C) enhances
myocardial oxygen supply.
Question 3.3: Multiple-Choice
The client’s telemetry shows ventricular tachycardia. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer amiodarone IV
B. Prepare for defibrillation
C. Check the client’s pulse
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Checking the pulse (C) determines if the ventricular tachycardia is pulseless, guiding
whether defibrillation (B) or medication (A) is needed. Notification (D) follows assessment.
Question 4: Multiple-Choice
A client with cardiac tamponade has pulsus paradoxus. What should the nurse expect on
assessment?
A. Systolic BP drop >10 mmHg on inspiration
B. Heart rate increase >20 bpm on expiration
C. Diastolic BP rise >15 mmHg on inspiration
D. Pulse oximetry drop >5% on expiration
Correct Answer: A
2025 – Complete Exam Guide with
Verified Answers
Cardiac Nursing Care (10 Questions)
Question 1: Multiple-Choice
A nurse is monitoring a client 12 hours post-myocardial infarction (MI). Which complication
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Ventricular dysrhythmias
C. Cardiogenic shock
D. Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ventricular dysrhythmias (B) are the most common and life-threatening complication
within the first 24 hours post-MI due to irritable ischemic tissue disrupting the heart’s electrical
conduction. Pulmonary edema (A) and cardiogenic shock (C) may occur later, while pericarditis
(D) is less immediate.
Question 2: Select-All-That-Apply
A client with heart failure reports dyspnea. Which nursing interventions are appropriate? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Elevate the head of the bed
B. Administer furosemide as prescribed
C. Restrict fluid intake to 500 mL/day
D. Monitor oxygen saturation
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed (A) improves breathing, furosemide (B) reduces fluid
overload, and monitoring oxygen saturation (D) assesses respiratory status. Restricting fluids to
500 mL/day (C) is excessive and requires a provider order.
Question 3: Case Study (3 Questions)
Case Study: A 65-year-old client with a history of hypertension presents with chest pain and is
diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The nurse initiates care.
Question 3.1: Multiple-Choice
, What is the priority nursing action for this client?
A. Administer nitroglycerin sublingually
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Start oxygen at 2 L/min
D. Draw cardiac enzymes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Obtaining a 12-lead ECG (B) is the priority to confirm the diagnosis of ACS and
guide treatment. Nitroglycerin (A), oxygen (C), and cardiac enzymes (D) follow based on ECG
findings.
Question 3.2: Matrix
Match the intervention with its purpose for ACS:
Intervention Purpose
A. Dilates coronary
Nitroglycerin
arteries
B. Prevents platelet
Aspirin
aggregation
C. Improves
Oxygen myocardial
oxygenation
Correct Answers: Nitroglycerin: A, Aspirin: B, Oxygen: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin (A) dilates coronary arteries to improve blood
flow, aspirin (B) prevents clot formation, and oxygen (C) enhances
myocardial oxygen supply.
Question 3.3: Multiple-Choice
The client’s telemetry shows ventricular tachycardia. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer amiodarone IV
B. Prepare for defibrillation
C. Check the client’s pulse
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Checking the pulse (C) determines if the ventricular tachycardia is pulseless, guiding
whether defibrillation (B) or medication (A) is needed. Notification (D) follows assessment.
Question 4: Multiple-Choice
A client with cardiac tamponade has pulsus paradoxus. What should the nurse expect on
assessment?
A. Systolic BP drop >10 mmHg on inspiration
B. Heart rate increase >20 bpm on expiration
C. Diastolic BP rise >15 mmHg on inspiration
D. Pulse oximetry drop >5% on expiration
Correct Answer: A
