NU 455 - Cardiac Exam Questions and Answers Already Passed Latest Update 2025-2026
ASSESSMENTS? INDICATIONS FOR MI - Answers -stress test=> ekg monitor, advance life
support, hold dig, CCBs, or BBlockers for 1-2days before test, small amount of H20 permitted
before test, monitor for dyspnea, dizziness, chest pain; test stops if angina develops,
dysrhythmia, BP changes, pt asks to stop, pallor, cold clam skin, dyspnea, gait problems,
confusion
-persantine mimics stress test by increasing adenosine in the body, injected IV
-stress echo/ dobutamine mimics exercise stress test and injected IV
-cardiac cath: determines the extent and location of obstruction => pt awake, invasive procedure
=> steps: aspiration of clots, angioplasty: balloon pushed artery open, stent holds it open
-cardiac enzymes that detect an MI, CK-MB Troponin T (last 3 weeks), Troponin I (last 1 week),
Myoglobin
-Troponin levels should be less the 0.04
s/s of MI - Answers pain, SOB, n/v, sweating, pale cool skin, anxiety
Disorders of the mitral valve - Answers Mitral valve prolapse, Mitral regurgitation, Mitral stenosis
Disorders of the aortic valve - Answers Aortic regurgitation, Aortic stenosis
stenosis vs regurgitation - Answers stenosis: narrowing, stiffening, thickening, fusion, or
blockage of one or more heart valves (forward flow)
-regurgitation: blood leaks back in the wrong direction bc of a valve closing improperly
(backward flow)
MITRAL REGURGITATION: - Answers Blood flows back from L ventricle to L atrium in asystole
Causes: mitral valve prolapse syndrome, rheumatic heart disease, CAD, and infective
endocarditis
, -bc more blood in Left atrium is causes pulmonary congestion CHF
MITRAL STENOSIS: - Answers -long latent period abt 10 yrs before symptoms present
s/s: edema, ascites, anorexia, fatigue, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, embolism
(stagnated blood in L atrium, hemoptysis (CHF)
-high mortality
-assessment: pulse weak/ irregular bc atrial fib is common, increase intensity of s1
Treatment: mod: decrease physical activity, beta blockers, CCB, Na restriction and diuretics is
pulmonary congestion present/CHF, coumadin, surgery
AORTIC REGURGITATION - Answers blood flows backward into L ventricle from aorta during
diastole
Causes: endocarditis, rheumatic heart disease, congenital, aneurysm
s/s: long latency period then symptoms of HF, weakness, angina, hypotension, severe dyspnea,
visual disturbances
diastolic murmur (LSB 2nd -4th interspace, blowing high pitched
Treatment: avr surgery
AORTIC STENOSIS - Answers narrowing btwn LV and aorta
most common cause rheumatic fever and calcium deposits
-SYSTOLIC MURMUR 2nd right intercostal space, client leaning forward, harsh/loud/thrill that
radiates to neck
-- treatment: prevention, meds, monitor exercise intolerance, surgery is required
ATRIAL DYSRYTHMIAS IN MITRAL VALVE DISEASE - Answers -TREATMENT: anticoagulation-
heparin/ coumadin w/ INR, digosin, CCB, BB, antiarrythmia, cardioversion
ASSESSMENTS? INDICATIONS FOR MI - Answers -stress test=> ekg monitor, advance life
support, hold dig, CCBs, or BBlockers for 1-2days before test, small amount of H20 permitted
before test, monitor for dyspnea, dizziness, chest pain; test stops if angina develops,
dysrhythmia, BP changes, pt asks to stop, pallor, cold clam skin, dyspnea, gait problems,
confusion
-persantine mimics stress test by increasing adenosine in the body, injected IV
-stress echo/ dobutamine mimics exercise stress test and injected IV
-cardiac cath: determines the extent and location of obstruction => pt awake, invasive procedure
=> steps: aspiration of clots, angioplasty: balloon pushed artery open, stent holds it open
-cardiac enzymes that detect an MI, CK-MB Troponin T (last 3 weeks), Troponin I (last 1 week),
Myoglobin
-Troponin levels should be less the 0.04
s/s of MI - Answers pain, SOB, n/v, sweating, pale cool skin, anxiety
Disorders of the mitral valve - Answers Mitral valve prolapse, Mitral regurgitation, Mitral stenosis
Disorders of the aortic valve - Answers Aortic regurgitation, Aortic stenosis
stenosis vs regurgitation - Answers stenosis: narrowing, stiffening, thickening, fusion, or
blockage of one or more heart valves (forward flow)
-regurgitation: blood leaks back in the wrong direction bc of a valve closing improperly
(backward flow)
MITRAL REGURGITATION: - Answers Blood flows back from L ventricle to L atrium in asystole
Causes: mitral valve prolapse syndrome, rheumatic heart disease, CAD, and infective
endocarditis
, -bc more blood in Left atrium is causes pulmonary congestion CHF
MITRAL STENOSIS: - Answers -long latent period abt 10 yrs before symptoms present
s/s: edema, ascites, anorexia, fatigue, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, embolism
(stagnated blood in L atrium, hemoptysis (CHF)
-high mortality
-assessment: pulse weak/ irregular bc atrial fib is common, increase intensity of s1
Treatment: mod: decrease physical activity, beta blockers, CCB, Na restriction and diuretics is
pulmonary congestion present/CHF, coumadin, surgery
AORTIC REGURGITATION - Answers blood flows backward into L ventricle from aorta during
diastole
Causes: endocarditis, rheumatic heart disease, congenital, aneurysm
s/s: long latency period then symptoms of HF, weakness, angina, hypotension, severe dyspnea,
visual disturbances
diastolic murmur (LSB 2nd -4th interspace, blowing high pitched
Treatment: avr surgery
AORTIC STENOSIS - Answers narrowing btwn LV and aorta
most common cause rheumatic fever and calcium deposits
-SYSTOLIC MURMUR 2nd right intercostal space, client leaning forward, harsh/loud/thrill that
radiates to neck
-- treatment: prevention, meds, monitor exercise intolerance, surgery is required
ATRIAL DYSRYTHMIAS IN MITRAL VALVE DISEASE - Answers -TREATMENT: anticoagulation-
heparin/ coumadin w/ INR, digosin, CCB, BB, antiarrythmia, cardioversion
