CARDIAC COMPLEX CARE EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ Atherosclerosis leads to what disease? Answer: Coronary Artery
Disease
◉ Normal LDL and HDL levels Answer: LDL < 150 mg/dL
HDL > 50 mg/dL
◉ Normal Triglyceride Level Answer: < 150 mg/dL
◉ Normal Total Cholesterol Level Answer: < 200 mg/dL
◉ Why would a 70 y/o male with AMI have a better chance of
surviving than a 30 y/o male? Answer: Collateral circulation
◉ Why would you administer Aspirin to CAD patients? Answer:
Aspirin prevents platelets to adhere to plaques
◉ what drugs are given to stop the process of CAD? Answer: Aspirin
and Glycoprotein IIB/IIIa inhibitors (Plavix)
,◉ CAD Risk Factors Answer: Age: Men >45, Women >55
Family History
Cholesterol (High LDL, Low HDL)
Smoking
Hypertension
Inactivity
Overweight
Diabetes
◉ What is the purpose(s) of a cardiac cath? Answer: 1. Locate blood
clot
2. Measure pressures in heart chambers
3. Measure cardiac output
4. Measure ABG (oxygen levels)
◉ Why wouldn't you perform a cardiac cath and angioplasty the
same day? Answer: Depends on the dye load; 100-150 mL is a
concern! --> hydrate patient before proceeding with other procedure
◉ What is the name of the catheter that used in a cardiac cath?
Answer: Swan Ganz
, ◉ Differentiate Right and Left cardiac catherization Answer: RIGHT
cath - inserted in femoral or brachial VEIN, measures pressures
LEFT cath - inserted in femoral or brachial ARTERY, views the
coronary arteries
◉ What medication should be taken in consideration for a cardiac
cath? Answer: METAFORMIN
pre - hold 24 hrs
post - hold 48 hrs
◉ For patients at renal risk or insufficiency, what medication is
administered during a cardiac cath procedure? Answer: MUCOMYST
pre - 24 hrs
post - several days
◉ Complications of cardiac catheterization Answer:
Pseudoaneurysm & retroperitoneal hemorrhage
◉ As a nurse, what should be included for post-catheterization care?
Answer: Bed rest (HOB < 30 degrees)
Monitor bleeding
Monitor pulses
GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ Atherosclerosis leads to what disease? Answer: Coronary Artery
Disease
◉ Normal LDL and HDL levels Answer: LDL < 150 mg/dL
HDL > 50 mg/dL
◉ Normal Triglyceride Level Answer: < 150 mg/dL
◉ Normal Total Cholesterol Level Answer: < 200 mg/dL
◉ Why would a 70 y/o male with AMI have a better chance of
surviving than a 30 y/o male? Answer: Collateral circulation
◉ Why would you administer Aspirin to CAD patients? Answer:
Aspirin prevents platelets to adhere to plaques
◉ what drugs are given to stop the process of CAD? Answer: Aspirin
and Glycoprotein IIB/IIIa inhibitors (Plavix)
,◉ CAD Risk Factors Answer: Age: Men >45, Women >55
Family History
Cholesterol (High LDL, Low HDL)
Smoking
Hypertension
Inactivity
Overweight
Diabetes
◉ What is the purpose(s) of a cardiac cath? Answer: 1. Locate blood
clot
2. Measure pressures in heart chambers
3. Measure cardiac output
4. Measure ABG (oxygen levels)
◉ Why wouldn't you perform a cardiac cath and angioplasty the
same day? Answer: Depends on the dye load; 100-150 mL is a
concern! --> hydrate patient before proceeding with other procedure
◉ What is the name of the catheter that used in a cardiac cath?
Answer: Swan Ganz
, ◉ Differentiate Right and Left cardiac catherization Answer: RIGHT
cath - inserted in femoral or brachial VEIN, measures pressures
LEFT cath - inserted in femoral or brachial ARTERY, views the
coronary arteries
◉ What medication should be taken in consideration for a cardiac
cath? Answer: METAFORMIN
pre - hold 24 hrs
post - hold 48 hrs
◉ For patients at renal risk or insufficiency, what medication is
administered during a cardiac cath procedure? Answer: MUCOMYST
pre - 24 hrs
post - several days
◉ Complications of cardiac catheterization Answer:
Pseudoaneurysm & retroperitoneal hemorrhage
◉ As a nurse, what should be included for post-catheterization care?
Answer: Bed rest (HOB < 30 degrees)
Monitor bleeding
Monitor pulses
