Med-surg Cardiac exam Chapters
25, 26, 27, 28, 29 (Book practice
questions)2026/2027
What data is necessary to collect if the patient is experiencing chest pain? -
Answer--Description of the pain, location, frequency, and duration.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone peripheral arteriography. How
should the nurse assess the adequacy of peripheral circulation? - Answer--By
checking peripheral pulses
During the auscultation of heart sounds, the nurse recognizes that an S4 is
associated with what? - Answer--Hypertensive heart disease
What term is used to describe the ability of the heart to initiate an electrical impulse?
- Answer--Automaticity
The nurse auscultates the PMI (point of maximal impulse) at which anatomical
location? - Answer--Left midclavicular line, fifth intercostal space
When the balloon on the distal tip of a pulmonary artery catheter is inflated and
pressure is measured, the measurement obtained is referred to as which of the
following? - Answer--Pulmonary artery wedge pressure
What is the term for the normal pacemaker of the heart? - Answer--Sinoatrial (SA)
node
The ability of the cardiac muscle to shorten in response to an electrical impulse is
termed what? - Answer--Contractility
Age-related changes associated with the cardiac system include what? -
Answer--Increased size of the left atrium, Endocardial fibrosis
What does decreased pulse pressure reflect? - Answer--Reduced stroke volume
The area of the heart is located at the third intercostal space to the left of the
sternum is what? - Answer--Erb's point
, A harsh grating sound caused by abrasion of the pericardial surfaces during the
cardiac cycle is termed what? - Answer--Friction rub
The nurse is observing a patient during an exercise stress test (bicycle). What
findings indicate a positive test and the need for further diagnostic testing? -
Answer--ST-segment changes on the ECG
A patient is being monitored with a central venous pressure catheter (CVP). The
nurse records the patient's CVP as 8 mm Hg. The nurse understands that this finding
indicates the patient is experiencing what? - Answer--Hypervolemia
A patient with diabetes is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Prior to the
procedure, it is most important for the nurse to ask what question? - Answer--"are
you allergic to shellfish"
A nurse is preparing to assess a patient for postural BP changes. What indicates the
need for further education? - Answer--Letting 30 seconds elapse after each position
change before measuring BP and heart rate.
The nurse is screening a patient prior to a magnetic resonance angiogram of the
heart. What actions should the nurse complete prior to the patient undergoing the
procedure? - Answer--Remove any transdermal nitro patches, remove the jewelry,
offer the patient a headset to listen to music during the procedure.
The nurse is preparing to apply ECG electrodes to a male patient who requires
continuous cardiac monitoring. What should the nurse complete to optimize skin
adherence and conduction of the heart's electrical current? - Answer--Clip the
patient's hair prior to applying the electrodes.
The nurse is caring for a patient in the ED who has a B-type natriuretic peptide
(BNP) level of 115 pg/mL. The nurse understands that this is finding is most
suggestive of what? - Answer--Heart failure
The nurse is caring for a patient with clubbing of the fingers and toes. The nurse
should complete what actions given these findings? - Answer--Obtain an oxygen
saturation level
The nurse correctly identifies which of the following data as an example of BP and
HR measurements in a patient with postural hypotension? - Answer--Supine: BP
120/70 mm Hg, HR 70 bpm; BP 100/55 mm Hg, HR 90 bpm; BP 98/52 mm Hg, HR
94 bpm
25, 26, 27, 28, 29 (Book practice
questions)2026/2027
What data is necessary to collect if the patient is experiencing chest pain? -
Answer--Description of the pain, location, frequency, and duration.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone peripheral arteriography. How
should the nurse assess the adequacy of peripheral circulation? - Answer--By
checking peripheral pulses
During the auscultation of heart sounds, the nurse recognizes that an S4 is
associated with what? - Answer--Hypertensive heart disease
What term is used to describe the ability of the heart to initiate an electrical impulse?
- Answer--Automaticity
The nurse auscultates the PMI (point of maximal impulse) at which anatomical
location? - Answer--Left midclavicular line, fifth intercostal space
When the balloon on the distal tip of a pulmonary artery catheter is inflated and
pressure is measured, the measurement obtained is referred to as which of the
following? - Answer--Pulmonary artery wedge pressure
What is the term for the normal pacemaker of the heart? - Answer--Sinoatrial (SA)
node
The ability of the cardiac muscle to shorten in response to an electrical impulse is
termed what? - Answer--Contractility
Age-related changes associated with the cardiac system include what? -
Answer--Increased size of the left atrium, Endocardial fibrosis
What does decreased pulse pressure reflect? - Answer--Reduced stroke volume
The area of the heart is located at the third intercostal space to the left of the
sternum is what? - Answer--Erb's point
, A harsh grating sound caused by abrasion of the pericardial surfaces during the
cardiac cycle is termed what? - Answer--Friction rub
The nurse is observing a patient during an exercise stress test (bicycle). What
findings indicate a positive test and the need for further diagnostic testing? -
Answer--ST-segment changes on the ECG
A patient is being monitored with a central venous pressure catheter (CVP). The
nurse records the patient's CVP as 8 mm Hg. The nurse understands that this finding
indicates the patient is experiencing what? - Answer--Hypervolemia
A patient with diabetes is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Prior to the
procedure, it is most important for the nurse to ask what question? - Answer--"are
you allergic to shellfish"
A nurse is preparing to assess a patient for postural BP changes. What indicates the
need for further education? - Answer--Letting 30 seconds elapse after each position
change before measuring BP and heart rate.
The nurse is screening a patient prior to a magnetic resonance angiogram of the
heart. What actions should the nurse complete prior to the patient undergoing the
procedure? - Answer--Remove any transdermal nitro patches, remove the jewelry,
offer the patient a headset to listen to music during the procedure.
The nurse is preparing to apply ECG electrodes to a male patient who requires
continuous cardiac monitoring. What should the nurse complete to optimize skin
adherence and conduction of the heart's electrical current? - Answer--Clip the
patient's hair prior to applying the electrodes.
The nurse is caring for a patient in the ED who has a B-type natriuretic peptide
(BNP) level of 115 pg/mL. The nurse understands that this is finding is most
suggestive of what? - Answer--Heart failure
The nurse is caring for a patient with clubbing of the fingers and toes. The nurse
should complete what actions given these findings? - Answer--Obtain an oxygen
saturation level
The nurse correctly identifies which of the following data as an example of BP and
HR measurements in a patient with postural hypotension? - Answer--Supine: BP
120/70 mm Hg, HR 70 bpm; BP 100/55 mm Hg, HR 90 bpm; BP 98/52 mm Hg, HR
94 bpm
