LPN to ADN Bridge: Cardiovascular & Respiratory Complex Care Quiz
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. A patient with a history of left-sided heart failure arrives at the clinic. Which
assessment finding should the nurse prioritize?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Crackles in the lung bases
C. Dependent edema in the ankles
D. Hepatosplenomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because the left ventricle
cannot pump blood effectively to the body, causing backflow into the lungs. Findings
include crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea.
2. When evaluating a patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results, the nurse notes:
pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret
these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, this is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
,3. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to a patient
experiencing symptomatic sinus bradycardia with a heart rate of 38 bpm?
A. Amiodarone
B. Digoxin
C. Atropine
D. Metoprolol
Answer: C
Rationale: Atropine is an anticholinergic drug used to increase the heart rate in patients
with symptomatic bradycardia.
4. A patient with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water-seal
chamber. What is the nurse’s immediate action?
A. Document this as a normal finding
B. Clamp the tube for 24 hours
C. Increase the suction pressure
D. Check the system for an air leak
Answer: D
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the
system or from the patient’s pleural space. Intermittent bubbling during expiration or
coughing is normal.
5. The nurse is monitoring a patient receiving a Heparin infusion for a
pulmonary embolism. Which lab value should be closely monitored?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
, Rationale: The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor the
effectiveness and safety of unfractionated Heparin therapy.
6. A patient presents with sudden onset of chest pain, diaphoresis, and nausea.
The ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Which area of the
heart is most likely affected?
A. Inferior wall
B. Lateral wall
C. Anterior wall
D. Septal wall
Answer: A
Rationale: ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicates an inferior wall myocardial
infarction, usually involving the right coronary artery.
7. A patient with heart failure is prescribed Digoxin 0.125 mg daily. Which
assessment finding would require the nurse to hold the medication?
A. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
B. Potassium level of 5.2 mEq/L
C. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
D. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
Answer: D
Rationale: Digoxin should be held if the apical pulse is less than 60 bpm in adults, as it can
further decrease the heart rate.
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. A patient with a history of left-sided heart failure arrives at the clinic. Which
assessment finding should the nurse prioritize?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Crackles in the lung bases
C. Dependent edema in the ankles
D. Hepatosplenomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because the left ventricle
cannot pump blood effectively to the body, causing backflow into the lungs. Findings
include crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea.
2. When evaluating a patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results, the nurse notes:
pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret
these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, this is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
,3. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to a patient
experiencing symptomatic sinus bradycardia with a heart rate of 38 bpm?
A. Amiodarone
B. Digoxin
C. Atropine
D. Metoprolol
Answer: C
Rationale: Atropine is an anticholinergic drug used to increase the heart rate in patients
with symptomatic bradycardia.
4. A patient with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water-seal
chamber. What is the nurse’s immediate action?
A. Document this as a normal finding
B. Clamp the tube for 24 hours
C. Increase the suction pressure
D. Check the system for an air leak
Answer: D
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the
system or from the patient’s pleural space. Intermittent bubbling during expiration or
coughing is normal.
5. The nurse is monitoring a patient receiving a Heparin infusion for a
pulmonary embolism. Which lab value should be closely monitored?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
, Rationale: The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor the
effectiveness and safety of unfractionated Heparin therapy.
6. A patient presents with sudden onset of chest pain, diaphoresis, and nausea.
The ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Which area of the
heart is most likely affected?
A. Inferior wall
B. Lateral wall
C. Anterior wall
D. Septal wall
Answer: A
Rationale: ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicates an inferior wall myocardial
infarction, usually involving the right coronary artery.
7. A patient with heart failure is prescribed Digoxin 0.125 mg daily. Which
assessment finding would require the nurse to hold the medication?
A. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
B. Potassium level of 5.2 mEq/L
C. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
D. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
Answer: D
Rationale: Digoxin should be held if the apical pulse is less than 60 bpm in adults, as it can
further decrease the heart rate.
