,NSG 3600 Exam 2 | Questions & Verified
Answers | 2026 Edition | Galen College
1. The nurse is performing the cardiac screening on a newborn before discharge. Which assessment
finding would be suggestive of a Coarctation of the Aorta?
A) Higher blood pressure in the left arm than the right arm
B) Higher blood pressure in the right arm than the right leg
C) Lower blood pressure in both arms compared to the legs
D) Equal blood pressure in all four extremities
Correct Answer: Higher blood pressure in the right arm than the right leg
Rationale: Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing that impedes blood flow to the lower extremities,
creating higher blood pressure in the upper extremities (proximal to the narrowing) compared to the
lower extremities.
2. The nurse is obtaining vital signs on a 36-hour-old infant and notes bounding peripheral pulses and a
blood pressure of 96/25 mmHg. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A) Tetralogy of Fallot
B) Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
C) Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
D) Coarctation of the Aorta
Correct Answer: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Rationale: PDA presents with a wide pulse pressure (a significant difference between systolic and
diastolic pressures) and bounding pulses due to the continuous runoff of blood from the aorta into the
pulmonary artery.
,3. A 3-month-old infant has digoxin scheduled at 2000. The nurse assesses the infant and notes an apical
heart rate of 112 bpm, respiratory rate of 42, and blood pressure of 96/60 mmHg. What should the
nurse do next?
A) Administer the digoxin as scheduled
B) Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
C) Double-check the digoxin dose with another nurse
D) Assess the infant's blood glucose level
Correct Answer: Double-check the digoxin dose with another nurse
Rationale: For digoxin, the apical pulse should be counted for one full minute. If the pulse is below the
acceptable range for the child's age (typically < 100-110 bpm for an infant), the medication should be
held. An apical heart rate of 112 bpm is within a safe range for an infant, so the nurse should double-
check the dose with another licensed nurse as a standard safety practice before administration.
4. Which finding is not a component of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)?
A) Pulmonary stenosis
B) Ventricular septal defect
C) Overriding aorta
D) Hypertrophic left ventricle
Correct Answer: Hypertrophic left ventricle
Rationale: The four components of Tetralogy of Fallot are pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect,
overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy. A hypertrophic left ventricle is not a component of
this congenital heart defect.
5. Which infant should the nurse see first?
A) A 4-day-old with an ASD, held by parents, with O2 saturations of 88%
B) A 2-day-old with a VSD who is feeding well
C) A 3-day-old with a PDA who is sleeping quietly
, D) A 5-day-old with a small ASD who is crying
Correct Answer: A 4-day-old with an ASD, held by parents, with O2 saturations of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% in a newborn is significantly low and indicates hypoxemia. This
infant is at risk for respiratory distress and requires immediate intervention. The other infants are
described as stable.
6. Which congenital heart defect is associated with low oxygen saturations (cyanotic)?
A) Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
B) Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
C) Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
D) Transposition of the Great Vessels
Correct Answer: Transposition of the Great Vessels
Rationale: Transposition of the Great Vessels is a cyanotic congenital heart defect where the aorta arises
from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the left ventricle, leading to two parallel circuits
and severe hypoxemia. VSD, ASD, and PDA are acyanotic defects.
7. A 12-year-old patient is preparing for a cardiac catheterization. Which statement by the patient
requires follow-up teaching?
A) "I will need to lie flat after the procedure."
B) "I will have a bandage on my groin after the procedure."
C) "I will need to stay home from school for at least 1 week after the procedure."
D) "I will need to drink extra fluids after the procedure."
Correct Answer: "I will need to stay home from school for at least 1 week after the procedure."
Rationale: Following a cardiac catheterization, the child typically needs to rest for several hours to a day,
but they do not need to stay home from school for a week. Activity restrictions are usually short-term.
Answers | 2026 Edition | Galen College
1. The nurse is performing the cardiac screening on a newborn before discharge. Which assessment
finding would be suggestive of a Coarctation of the Aorta?
A) Higher blood pressure in the left arm than the right arm
B) Higher blood pressure in the right arm than the right leg
C) Lower blood pressure in both arms compared to the legs
D) Equal blood pressure in all four extremities
Correct Answer: Higher blood pressure in the right arm than the right leg
Rationale: Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing that impedes blood flow to the lower extremities,
creating higher blood pressure in the upper extremities (proximal to the narrowing) compared to the
lower extremities.
2. The nurse is obtaining vital signs on a 36-hour-old infant and notes bounding peripheral pulses and a
blood pressure of 96/25 mmHg. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A) Tetralogy of Fallot
B) Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
C) Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
D) Coarctation of the Aorta
Correct Answer: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Rationale: PDA presents with a wide pulse pressure (a significant difference between systolic and
diastolic pressures) and bounding pulses due to the continuous runoff of blood from the aorta into the
pulmonary artery.
,3. A 3-month-old infant has digoxin scheduled at 2000. The nurse assesses the infant and notes an apical
heart rate of 112 bpm, respiratory rate of 42, and blood pressure of 96/60 mmHg. What should the
nurse do next?
A) Administer the digoxin as scheduled
B) Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
C) Double-check the digoxin dose with another nurse
D) Assess the infant's blood glucose level
Correct Answer: Double-check the digoxin dose with another nurse
Rationale: For digoxin, the apical pulse should be counted for one full minute. If the pulse is below the
acceptable range for the child's age (typically < 100-110 bpm for an infant), the medication should be
held. An apical heart rate of 112 bpm is within a safe range for an infant, so the nurse should double-
check the dose with another licensed nurse as a standard safety practice before administration.
4. Which finding is not a component of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)?
A) Pulmonary stenosis
B) Ventricular septal defect
C) Overriding aorta
D) Hypertrophic left ventricle
Correct Answer: Hypertrophic left ventricle
Rationale: The four components of Tetralogy of Fallot are pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect,
overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy. A hypertrophic left ventricle is not a component of
this congenital heart defect.
5. Which infant should the nurse see first?
A) A 4-day-old with an ASD, held by parents, with O2 saturations of 88%
B) A 2-day-old with a VSD who is feeding well
C) A 3-day-old with a PDA who is sleeping quietly
, D) A 5-day-old with a small ASD who is crying
Correct Answer: A 4-day-old with an ASD, held by parents, with O2 saturations of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% in a newborn is significantly low and indicates hypoxemia. This
infant is at risk for respiratory distress and requires immediate intervention. The other infants are
described as stable.
6. Which congenital heart defect is associated with low oxygen saturations (cyanotic)?
A) Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
B) Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
C) Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
D) Transposition of the Great Vessels
Correct Answer: Transposition of the Great Vessels
Rationale: Transposition of the Great Vessels is a cyanotic congenital heart defect where the aorta arises
from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the left ventricle, leading to two parallel circuits
and severe hypoxemia. VSD, ASD, and PDA are acyanotic defects.
7. A 12-year-old patient is preparing for a cardiac catheterization. Which statement by the patient
requires follow-up teaching?
A) "I will need to lie flat after the procedure."
B) "I will have a bandage on my groin after the procedure."
C) "I will need to stay home from school for at least 1 week after the procedure."
D) "I will need to drink extra fluids after the procedure."
Correct Answer: "I will need to stay home from school for at least 1 week after the procedure."
Rationale: Following a cardiac catheterization, the child typically needs to rest for several hours to a day,
but they do not need to stay home from school for a week. Activity restrictions are usually short-term.
