KAPLAN CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Assessment and Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Patients*
*- Planning and Implementation of Cardiac Care*
*- Evaluation and Modification of Treatment Plans*
*- Patient and Community Education on Cardiovascular Health*
*- Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Medication Management*
*- Arrhythmia Recognition and ECG Interpretation*
*- Acute Cardiovascular Emergencies and Critical Care*
*- Chronic Cardiovascular Conditions Management*
*- Ethics, Legal Compliance, and Professional Standards in Cardiac Nursing*
*- Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Cardiovascular Care*
Introduction
This exam is designed to assess the knowledge, clinical judgment, and decision-making skills essential for competent cardiovascular nursing
practice. It evaluates mastery of foundational theory applied to real-world professional scenarios, including patient assessment, diagnostic
interpretation, pharmacological interventions, and management of both acute and chronic cardiac conditions. The multiple-choice and scenario-
based structure emphasizes critical thinking, prioritization, and evidence-based decision-making across the continuum of cardiovascular care.
Success on this exam demonstrates readiness to deliver safe, effective, and ethically sound nursing care to patients with cardiac-vascular
conditions in diverse clinical settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected myocardial infarction. Which finding is the MOST priority to report immediately to the healthcare
provider?
A. Blood pressure of 145/90 mmHg
B. ST-segment elevation on 12-lead ECG
C. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
D. Mild nausea without vomiting
,🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: ST-segment elevation on a 12-lead ECG indicates an acute STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction), which requires immediate
reperfusion therapy. This is the most critical finding requiring urgent intervention to preserve myocardial tissue.
Question 2
Which medication class is contraindicated in a patient with severe bradycardia and heart block?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Beta-blockers
C. Statins
D. Antiplatelets
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Beta-blockers decrease heart rate and cardiac conduction, which can worsen bradycardia and heart block. They are contraindicated
in patients with significant conduction abnormalities.
Question 3
A patient with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. What is the primary mechanism of action of this medication?
A. Inhibits sodium reabsorption in the distal tubule
B. Blocks aldosterone receptors, reducing fluid retention
C. Increases cardiac contractility
D. Dilates peripheral arterioles
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist that blocks aldosterone receptors, promoting sodium and water excretion while
retaining potassium. It also reduces cardiac remodeling in heart failure.
,Question 4
Which ECG finding is characteristic of atrial fibrillation?
A. Regular narrow QRS complexes with visible P waves
B. Absent P waves with irregularly irregular QRS complexes
C. Wide QRS complexes with retrograde P waves
D. Sawtooth-pattern flutter waves
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Atrial fibrillation presents with absent P waves (replaced by chaotic fibrillatory waves) and an irregularly irregular ventricular
rhythm due to disorganized atrial activity.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a post-MI patient. Which activity is CONTRAINDICATED in the first 24 hours?
A. Bed rest with bathroom privileges
B. Deep breathing exercises
C. Heavy weight lifting
D. Leg exercises while seated
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Heavy weight lifting increases cardiac workload and oxygen demand, which can exacerbate ischemia in the acute post-MI period.
Activity should be gradual and supervised.
Question 6
Which laboratory value is MOST specific for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction?
, A. Total cholesterol
B. Troponin I
C. Creatine kinase-MB
D. D-dimer
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Troponin I is the most specific and sensitive biomarker for myocardial injury. It rises within 3-4 hours of MI and remains elevated
for 10-14 days.
Question 7
A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. What is the most important monitoring parameter for this medication?
A. Liver enzymes
B. Serum potassium and creatinine
C. Complete blood count
D. Thyroid function tests
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can cause hyperkalemia and acute kidney injury. Monitoring serum potassium and renal function
(creatinine) is essential.
Question 8
Which finding indicates successful treatment of a hypertensive emergency?
A. Blood pressure reduced to 120/80 mmHg within 1 hour
B. Blood pressure reduced by 25% within the first hour
C. Resolution of headache only
D. Normalization of heart rate
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Assessment and Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Patients*
*- Planning and Implementation of Cardiac Care*
*- Evaluation and Modification of Treatment Plans*
*- Patient and Community Education on Cardiovascular Health*
*- Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Medication Management*
*- Arrhythmia Recognition and ECG Interpretation*
*- Acute Cardiovascular Emergencies and Critical Care*
*- Chronic Cardiovascular Conditions Management*
*- Ethics, Legal Compliance, and Professional Standards in Cardiac Nursing*
*- Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Cardiovascular Care*
Introduction
This exam is designed to assess the knowledge, clinical judgment, and decision-making skills essential for competent cardiovascular nursing
practice. It evaluates mastery of foundational theory applied to real-world professional scenarios, including patient assessment, diagnostic
interpretation, pharmacological interventions, and management of both acute and chronic cardiac conditions. The multiple-choice and scenario-
based structure emphasizes critical thinking, prioritization, and evidence-based decision-making across the continuum of cardiovascular care.
Success on this exam demonstrates readiness to deliver safe, effective, and ethically sound nursing care to patients with cardiac-vascular
conditions in diverse clinical settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected myocardial infarction. Which finding is the MOST priority to report immediately to the healthcare
provider?
A. Blood pressure of 145/90 mmHg
B. ST-segment elevation on 12-lead ECG
C. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
D. Mild nausea without vomiting
,🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: ST-segment elevation on a 12-lead ECG indicates an acute STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction), which requires immediate
reperfusion therapy. This is the most critical finding requiring urgent intervention to preserve myocardial tissue.
Question 2
Which medication class is contraindicated in a patient with severe bradycardia and heart block?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Beta-blockers
C. Statins
D. Antiplatelets
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Beta-blockers decrease heart rate and cardiac conduction, which can worsen bradycardia and heart block. They are contraindicated
in patients with significant conduction abnormalities.
Question 3
A patient with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. What is the primary mechanism of action of this medication?
A. Inhibits sodium reabsorption in the distal tubule
B. Blocks aldosterone receptors, reducing fluid retention
C. Increases cardiac contractility
D. Dilates peripheral arterioles
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist that blocks aldosterone receptors, promoting sodium and water excretion while
retaining potassium. It also reduces cardiac remodeling in heart failure.
,Question 4
Which ECG finding is characteristic of atrial fibrillation?
A. Regular narrow QRS complexes with visible P waves
B. Absent P waves with irregularly irregular QRS complexes
C. Wide QRS complexes with retrograde P waves
D. Sawtooth-pattern flutter waves
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Atrial fibrillation presents with absent P waves (replaced by chaotic fibrillatory waves) and an irregularly irregular ventricular
rhythm due to disorganized atrial activity.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a post-MI patient. Which activity is CONTRAINDICATED in the first 24 hours?
A. Bed rest with bathroom privileges
B. Deep breathing exercises
C. Heavy weight lifting
D. Leg exercises while seated
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Heavy weight lifting increases cardiac workload and oxygen demand, which can exacerbate ischemia in the acute post-MI period.
Activity should be gradual and supervised.
Question 6
Which laboratory value is MOST specific for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction?
, A. Total cholesterol
B. Troponin I
C. Creatine kinase-MB
D. D-dimer
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Troponin I is the most specific and sensitive biomarker for myocardial injury. It rises within 3-4 hours of MI and remains elevated
for 10-14 days.
Question 7
A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. What is the most important monitoring parameter for this medication?
A. Liver enzymes
B. Serum potassium and creatinine
C. Complete blood count
D. Thyroid function tests
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can cause hyperkalemia and acute kidney injury. Monitoring serum potassium and renal function
(creatinine) is essential.
Question 8
Which finding indicates successful treatment of a hypertensive emergency?
A. Blood pressure reduced to 120/80 mmHg within 1 hour
B. Blood pressure reduced by 25% within the first hour
C. Resolution of headache only
D. Normalization of heart rate
