CARDIOVASCULAR MED-SURG EXAM LATEST 2026
UPDATE 100 QUESTIONS AND DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1. A patient with acute myocardial infarction suddenly develops chest pain and
diaphoresis. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
C. Check vital signs
D. Start oxygen therapy
Answer: D. Start oxygen therapy
Rationale: Oxygen increases myocardial oxygen supply and is the immediate
priority in acute ischemia.
2. Which lab value is most specific for myocardial infarction?
A. CK-MB
B. Troponin I
C. Myoglobin
D. C-reactive protein
Answer: B. Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is highly specific and sensitive for myocardial injury.
3. A patient with heart failure has crackles and edema. What is the underlying
cause?
,A. Increased cardiac output
B. Fluid volume overload
C. Increased hemoglobin
D. Decreased afterload
Answer: B. Fluid volume overload
Rationale: HF causes fluid retention leading to pulmonary and peripheral
congestion.
4. Which drug is commonly used first in acute heart failure?
A. Furosemide
B. Digoxin
C. Metoprolol
D. Warfarin
Answer: A. Furosemide
Rationale: Loop diuretics reduce preload by removing excess fluid.
5. Which symptom is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Ascites
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided failure leads to pulmonary congestion.
6. What ECG finding indicates atrial fibrillation?
A. Regular rhythm
B. Sawtooth waves
,C. Irregularly irregular rhythm
D. ST elevation
Answer: C. Irregularly irregular rhythm
Rationale: AF is characterized by absence of organized atrial activity.
7. The priority in ventricular fibrillation is:
A. Amiodarone
B. Defibrillation
C. Oxygen
D. Atropine
Answer: B. Defibrillation
Rationale: VF is a life-threatening rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation.
8. Which sign indicates cardiogenic shock?
A. Hypertension
B. Warm flushed skin
C. Hypotension with cold clammy skin
D. Bradycardia only
Answer: C. Hypotension with cold clammy skin
Rationale: Pump failure leads to poor perfusion.
9. Which medication reduces mortality in heart failure?
A. Digoxin
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Antacids
D. Calcium carbonate
, Answer: B. ACE inhibitors
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce afterload and improve survival.
10. A patient with angina should be instructed to take nitroglycerin:
A. With food
B. Every 15 minutes indefinitely
C. At onset of chest pain
D. Only at bedtime
Answer: C. At onset of chest pain
Rationale: Early use relieves coronary vasospasm.
11. Which electrolyte imbalance increases risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium enhances digoxin binding.
12. The most common symptom of myocardial infarction in older adults is:
A. Severe chest pain
B. Fatigue and shortness of breath
C. Headache
D. Fever
Answer: B. Fatigue and shortness of breath
Rationale: Older adults may present atypically.
UPDATE 100 QUESTIONS AND DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1. A patient with acute myocardial infarction suddenly develops chest pain and
diaphoresis. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
C. Check vital signs
D. Start oxygen therapy
Answer: D. Start oxygen therapy
Rationale: Oxygen increases myocardial oxygen supply and is the immediate
priority in acute ischemia.
2. Which lab value is most specific for myocardial infarction?
A. CK-MB
B. Troponin I
C. Myoglobin
D. C-reactive protein
Answer: B. Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is highly specific and sensitive for myocardial injury.
3. A patient with heart failure has crackles and edema. What is the underlying
cause?
,A. Increased cardiac output
B. Fluid volume overload
C. Increased hemoglobin
D. Decreased afterload
Answer: B. Fluid volume overload
Rationale: HF causes fluid retention leading to pulmonary and peripheral
congestion.
4. Which drug is commonly used first in acute heart failure?
A. Furosemide
B. Digoxin
C. Metoprolol
D. Warfarin
Answer: A. Furosemide
Rationale: Loop diuretics reduce preload by removing excess fluid.
5. Which symptom is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Ascites
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided failure leads to pulmonary congestion.
6. What ECG finding indicates atrial fibrillation?
A. Regular rhythm
B. Sawtooth waves
,C. Irregularly irregular rhythm
D. ST elevation
Answer: C. Irregularly irregular rhythm
Rationale: AF is characterized by absence of organized atrial activity.
7. The priority in ventricular fibrillation is:
A. Amiodarone
B. Defibrillation
C. Oxygen
D. Atropine
Answer: B. Defibrillation
Rationale: VF is a life-threatening rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation.
8. Which sign indicates cardiogenic shock?
A. Hypertension
B. Warm flushed skin
C. Hypotension with cold clammy skin
D. Bradycardia only
Answer: C. Hypotension with cold clammy skin
Rationale: Pump failure leads to poor perfusion.
9. Which medication reduces mortality in heart failure?
A. Digoxin
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Antacids
D. Calcium carbonate
, Answer: B. ACE inhibitors
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce afterload and improve survival.
10. A patient with angina should be instructed to take nitroglycerin:
A. With food
B. Every 15 minutes indefinitely
C. At onset of chest pain
D. Only at bedtime
Answer: C. At onset of chest pain
Rationale: Early use relieves coronary vasospasm.
11. Which electrolyte imbalance increases risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium enhances digoxin binding.
12. The most common symptom of myocardial infarction in older adults is:
A. Severe chest pain
B. Fatigue and shortness of breath
C. Headache
D. Fever
Answer: B. Fatigue and shortness of breath
Rationale: Older adults may present atypically.
