1|Page
CSC PRACTICE EXAM (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS) |
GUARANTEED PASS A+ UPDATED THIS YEAR
1. A post-CABG patient has a CVP of 2 mmHg, MAP 58 mmHg, and urine output 15 mL/hr. What
is the priority intervention?
A. Start norepinephrine
B. Administer IV fluid bolus
C. Increase ventilator PEEP
D. Administer furosemide
Answer: B
Rationale: Low CVP, hypotension, and low urine output indicate hypovolemia. Volume
replacement is the priority before vasopressors.
2. Which finding most strongly suggests cardiac tamponade after cardiac surgery?
A. Increased chest tube output
B. Narrow pulse pressure
C. Decreased CVP
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: Tamponade presents with Beck’s triad: hypotension, JVD (↑ CVP), and muffled
heart sounds. Narrow pulse pressure is a key sign.
3. A post-op cardiac surgery patient develops new-onset atrial fibrillation. The nurse anticipates
which first intervention?
A. Defibrillation
B. Amiodarone
C. CPR
D. Adenosine
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
Answer: B
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation is common post-cardiac surgery. Rate/rhythm control with
amiodarone is standard unless unstable.
4. Which hemodynamic value best reflects left ventricular preload?
A. CVP
B. PAWP
C. Cardiac output
D. SVR
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) reflects left ventricular end-diastolic
pressure and preload.
5. A patient with an IABP has absent augmentation on the arterial waveform. What is the most
likely cause?
A. Balloon rupture
B. Incorrect timing
C. Hypovolemia
D. Aortic dissection
Answer: B
Rationale: Incorrect inflation/deflation timing results in loss of diastolic augmentation.
6. Which medication decreases afterload and improves cardiac output in heart failure?
A. Phenylephrine
B. Dobutamine
C. Metoprolol
D. Vasopressin
Answer: B
Rationale: Dobutamine is an inotrope that improves contractility and reduces afterload.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
7. A sudden increase in chest tube output (>200 mL/hr) after CABG suggests:
A. Cardiac tamponade
B. Hypovolemia
C. Surgical bleeding
D. Atelectasis
Answer: C
Rationale: Excessive chest tube drainage indicates active bleeding, a surgical emergency.
8. Which assessment best evaluates cardiac output at the bedside?
A. Heart rate
B. Blood pressure
C. Urine output
D. CVP
Answer: C
Rationale: Urine output is a reliable indicator of end-organ perfusion and cardiac output.
9. A post-cardiac surgery patient has ST elevation and hypotension. The nurse suspects:
A. Graft occlusion
B. Hypokalemia
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Ventilator malfunction
Answer: A
Rationale: ST elevation with hypotension after CABG suggests acute graft failure or MI.
10. Which value indicates increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR)?
A. MAP 55 mmHg
B. Cool, clammy skin
C. CVP 2 mmHg
D. CO 6 L/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Cool, clammy skin indicates vasoconstriction and increased SVR.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
11. A patient with PA catheter has PAWP 22 mmHg and crackles. Best action?
A. Fluid bolus
B. Increase PEEP
C. Administer diuretic
D. Decrease oxygen
Answer: C
Rationale: Elevated PAWP and pulmonary congestion indicate fluid overload.
12. Which rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Sinus tachycardia
D. First-degree AV block
Answer: B
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is a pulseless rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation.
13. A post-op valve replacement patient develops hypotension and muffled heart sounds. CVP is
rising. Priority action?
A. Administer fluids
B. Notify surgeon immediately
C. Increase oxygen
D. Give beta-blocker
Answer: B
Rationale: Classic signs of cardiac tamponade — requires emergent surgical intervention.
14. Which lab value is most important to monitor with heparin therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelets
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: aPTT monitors therapeutic heparin levels.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
CSC PRACTICE EXAM (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS) |
GUARANTEED PASS A+ UPDATED THIS YEAR
1. A post-CABG patient has a CVP of 2 mmHg, MAP 58 mmHg, and urine output 15 mL/hr. What
is the priority intervention?
A. Start norepinephrine
B. Administer IV fluid bolus
C. Increase ventilator PEEP
D. Administer furosemide
Answer: B
Rationale: Low CVP, hypotension, and low urine output indicate hypovolemia. Volume
replacement is the priority before vasopressors.
2. Which finding most strongly suggests cardiac tamponade after cardiac surgery?
A. Increased chest tube output
B. Narrow pulse pressure
C. Decreased CVP
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: Tamponade presents with Beck’s triad: hypotension, JVD (↑ CVP), and muffled
heart sounds. Narrow pulse pressure is a key sign.
3. A post-op cardiac surgery patient develops new-onset atrial fibrillation. The nurse anticipates
which first intervention?
A. Defibrillation
B. Amiodarone
C. CPR
D. Adenosine
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
Answer: B
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation is common post-cardiac surgery. Rate/rhythm control with
amiodarone is standard unless unstable.
4. Which hemodynamic value best reflects left ventricular preload?
A. CVP
B. PAWP
C. Cardiac output
D. SVR
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) reflects left ventricular end-diastolic
pressure and preload.
5. A patient with an IABP has absent augmentation on the arterial waveform. What is the most
likely cause?
A. Balloon rupture
B. Incorrect timing
C. Hypovolemia
D. Aortic dissection
Answer: B
Rationale: Incorrect inflation/deflation timing results in loss of diastolic augmentation.
6. Which medication decreases afterload and improves cardiac output in heart failure?
A. Phenylephrine
B. Dobutamine
C. Metoprolol
D. Vasopressin
Answer: B
Rationale: Dobutamine is an inotrope that improves contractility and reduces afterload.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
7. A sudden increase in chest tube output (>200 mL/hr) after CABG suggests:
A. Cardiac tamponade
B. Hypovolemia
C. Surgical bleeding
D. Atelectasis
Answer: C
Rationale: Excessive chest tube drainage indicates active bleeding, a surgical emergency.
8. Which assessment best evaluates cardiac output at the bedside?
A. Heart rate
B. Blood pressure
C. Urine output
D. CVP
Answer: C
Rationale: Urine output is a reliable indicator of end-organ perfusion and cardiac output.
9. A post-cardiac surgery patient has ST elevation and hypotension. The nurse suspects:
A. Graft occlusion
B. Hypokalemia
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Ventilator malfunction
Answer: A
Rationale: ST elevation with hypotension after CABG suggests acute graft failure or MI.
10. Which value indicates increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR)?
A. MAP 55 mmHg
B. Cool, clammy skin
C. CVP 2 mmHg
D. CO 6 L/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Cool, clammy skin indicates vasoconstriction and increased SVR.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
11. A patient with PA catheter has PAWP 22 mmHg and crackles. Best action?
A. Fluid bolus
B. Increase PEEP
C. Administer diuretic
D. Decrease oxygen
Answer: C
Rationale: Elevated PAWP and pulmonary congestion indicate fluid overload.
12. Which rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Sinus tachycardia
D. First-degree AV block
Answer: B
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is a pulseless rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation.
13. A post-op valve replacement patient develops hypotension and muffled heart sounds. CVP is
rising. Priority action?
A. Administer fluids
B. Notify surgeon immediately
C. Increase oxygen
D. Give beta-blocker
Answer: B
Rationale: Classic signs of cardiac tamponade — requires emergent surgical intervention.
14. Which lab value is most important to monitor with heparin therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelets
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: aPTT monitors therapeutic heparin levels.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
