ATI Cardiovascular System
Comprehensive Examination2026
LATEST UPDATE
Student Copy
Instructions: Choose the single best answer for each question unless indicated
otherwise (Select All That Apply).
Topic 1: Cardiac Pharmacology (Questions 1-20)
1. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed lisinopril. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Drowsiness
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Increased appetite
D. Bradycardia
2. A client is taking furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory value
requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
C. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
D. Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
3. A client receiving atenolol (Tenormin) reports feeling dizzy when standing up.
What is the most appropriate nursing response?
A. "Skip your next dose and call your provider."
B. "Take the medication only at night."
C. "Change positions slowly to prevent dizziness."
D. "Increase your fluid intake to 3 liters per day."
4. Which medication is prescribed to treat angina by decreasing myocardial
oxygen demand and causing venous vasodilation?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Digoxin
,C. Atorvastatin
D. Warfarin
5. A nurse is reviewing medications for a client prescribed both spironolactone
(Aldactone) and lisinopril. What is the primary concern regarding this
combination?
A. Risk for hyperkalemia
B. Excessive diuresis
C. Development of hypertension
D. Risk for hyponatremia
6. Which of the following medications is a calcium channel blocker used to
manage hypertension and angina?
A. Metoprolol
B. Losartan
C. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
D. Captopril
7. A client taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Reassure the client these are temporary effects.
B. Check the digoxin level and hold the next dose.
C. Encourage the client to eat before taking the medication.
D. Administer an antiemetic to control the nausea.
8. Which medication is used for long-term prevention of clot formation in clients
with atrial fibrillation?
A. Atorvastatin
B. Warfarin (Coumadin)
C. Furosemide
D. Nitroglycerin
9. A client is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor). Which instruction is most important
to include in the teaching plan?
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
B. Report any unexplained muscle pain or weakness.
C. Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods.
D. Expect a dry, non-productive cough.
10. A client with heart failure is prescribed metoprolol. The nurse understands that
this medication is used for which purpose?
A. To increase the force of myocardial contraction.
, B. To prevent further remodeling of the heart and lower heart rate.
C. To promote excretion of excess sodium and fluid.
D. To dilate the coronary arteries.
11. A nurse is administering IV hydralazine. This medication is classified as which
type of antihypertensive?
A. Beta-blocker
B. ACE Inhibitor
C. Direct vasodilator
D. Calcium channel blocker
12. A client is receiving alteplase (tPA) for an acute myocardial infarction. The
nurse should monitor for which adverse effect?
A. Bleeding
B. Bradycardia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Dry mouth
13. Which lab value should be monitored closely for a client receiving IV heparin?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
14. A client is being discharged on clopidogrel (Plavix) following placement of a
drug-eluting stent. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "I will notify my dentist about this medication before any procedures."
B. "I can stop taking this medication once my chest pain is gone."
C. "I should report any unusual bruising or bleeding."
D. "This medication helps keep my stent from clotting."
15. The nurse is administering adenosine (Adenocard) to a client with
supraventricular tachycardia. What is the priority nursing action during
administration?
A. Monitor for a sudden spike in blood pressure.
B. Prepare for transient asystole by having a defibrillator nearby.
C. Dilute the medication in 100 mL of D5W and run slowly.
D. Instruct the client to bear down (Valsalva maneuver).
16. A client with pulmonary edema is receiving high-dose IV furosemide. The
nurse should monitor for which adverse effect?
Comprehensive Examination2026
LATEST UPDATE
Student Copy
Instructions: Choose the single best answer for each question unless indicated
otherwise (Select All That Apply).
Topic 1: Cardiac Pharmacology (Questions 1-20)
1. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed lisinopril. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Drowsiness
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Increased appetite
D. Bradycardia
2. A client is taking furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory value
requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
C. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
D. Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
3. A client receiving atenolol (Tenormin) reports feeling dizzy when standing up.
What is the most appropriate nursing response?
A. "Skip your next dose and call your provider."
B. "Take the medication only at night."
C. "Change positions slowly to prevent dizziness."
D. "Increase your fluid intake to 3 liters per day."
4. Which medication is prescribed to treat angina by decreasing myocardial
oxygen demand and causing venous vasodilation?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Digoxin
,C. Atorvastatin
D. Warfarin
5. A nurse is reviewing medications for a client prescribed both spironolactone
(Aldactone) and lisinopril. What is the primary concern regarding this
combination?
A. Risk for hyperkalemia
B. Excessive diuresis
C. Development of hypertension
D. Risk for hyponatremia
6. Which of the following medications is a calcium channel blocker used to
manage hypertension and angina?
A. Metoprolol
B. Losartan
C. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
D. Captopril
7. A client taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Reassure the client these are temporary effects.
B. Check the digoxin level and hold the next dose.
C. Encourage the client to eat before taking the medication.
D. Administer an antiemetic to control the nausea.
8. Which medication is used for long-term prevention of clot formation in clients
with atrial fibrillation?
A. Atorvastatin
B. Warfarin (Coumadin)
C. Furosemide
D. Nitroglycerin
9. A client is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor). Which instruction is most important
to include in the teaching plan?
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
B. Report any unexplained muscle pain or weakness.
C. Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods.
D. Expect a dry, non-productive cough.
10. A client with heart failure is prescribed metoprolol. The nurse understands that
this medication is used for which purpose?
A. To increase the force of myocardial contraction.
, B. To prevent further remodeling of the heart and lower heart rate.
C. To promote excretion of excess sodium and fluid.
D. To dilate the coronary arteries.
11. A nurse is administering IV hydralazine. This medication is classified as which
type of antihypertensive?
A. Beta-blocker
B. ACE Inhibitor
C. Direct vasodilator
D. Calcium channel blocker
12. A client is receiving alteplase (tPA) for an acute myocardial infarction. The
nurse should monitor for which adverse effect?
A. Bleeding
B. Bradycardia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Dry mouth
13. Which lab value should be monitored closely for a client receiving IV heparin?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
14. A client is being discharged on clopidogrel (Plavix) following placement of a
drug-eluting stent. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "I will notify my dentist about this medication before any procedures."
B. "I can stop taking this medication once my chest pain is gone."
C. "I should report any unusual bruising or bleeding."
D. "This medication helps keep my stent from clotting."
15. The nurse is administering adenosine (Adenocard) to a client with
supraventricular tachycardia. What is the priority nursing action during
administration?
A. Monitor for a sudden spike in blood pressure.
B. Prepare for transient asystole by having a defibrillator nearby.
C. Dilute the medication in 100 mL of D5W and run slowly.
D. Instruct the client to bear down (Valsalva maneuver).
16. A client with pulmonary edema is receiving high-dose IV furosemide. The
nurse should monitor for which adverse effect?
