Cardiac ATI Comprehensive Exam
Questions and Answers Verified Solutions
Latest Update 2026/2027
Question:
You are providing teaching to a PT who is 2 days post op following a heart transplant. Which
following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
1. You may no longer be able to feel chest pain
2. Your level of activity intolerance will not change
3. after 6 months you will no longer need to restrict you Na
4. You will be able to stop taking immunosuppressants after 12 months.
Answer:
1. You may no longer be able to feel chest pain- transplant PTs
no longer feel chest pain due to denervation of the heart
Question:
ER nurse is assessing PT with bradydysrhythmia. Which finding should he expect?
1. Confusion
2. Friction Rub
3. HTN
4. Dry skin.
Answer:
1. Confusion- as a result of decreased tissue perfusion
Question:
You are caring for a PT who had an anterior MI. PTs hx shows she is 1 wk post op open
cholecystectomy the RN knows that which intervention is contraindicated?
1. Administering IV morphine
2. giving O2 at 2L NC
3. Helping client to BSC
4. Assisting in thrombolytic therapy.
,Answer:
4. Assisting in thrombolytic therapy- having surgery within 3
wks is a contraindication for thrombolytic therapy
Question:
You are caring for a PT who has endocarditis. Which finding should you recognize as a
complication?
1. Ventricular depolarization
2. Guillain Barre Syndrome
3. Myelodysplastic syndrome
4. Valvular disease.
Answer:
4. Valvular disease- damage will occur as a result of
inflammation or infection of the endocardium
Question:
You are caring for PT with BP of 254/139, you recognize the PT is in a hypertensive crisis. Which
action should you take first?
1. Obtain blood samples for testing
2. Tell the PT to report vision changes
3. Place HOB at 45 degrees
4. Initiate IV access.
Answer:
3. Place HOB at 45 degrees-ABC's this will promote
respiratory status and promote venous return reducing workload on heart
**Initiate IV access- not first action
Question:
When performing a cardiac assessment what is the point of maximal impulse?
1. 2nd intercostal space right to the sternum
2. 2nd intercostal space left to the sternum
3. 5th intercostal space to the left of thermal border
4. Left 5th intercostal space in the midclavicular line.
Answer:
, 4. Left 5th intercostal space in the midclavicular line-this is
best to hear the apex of the heart which is considered maximal impulse
Question:
You are caring for a PT who is experiencing Afib. You should report what finding to the provider?
1. Slurred speech
2. Irregular pulse
3. Dependent edema
4. Persistant fatigue.
Answer:
1. Slurred speech- greatest risk is an embolus and this can
indicate embolus
Question:
You are assessing a PT with Left sided heart failure. What manifestation should you expect to find?
1. Increased abdominal girth
2. Weak peripheral pulses
3. Jugular venous neck distention
4. Dependent edema.
Answer:
2. Weak peripheral pulses- r/t decreased CO from LSHF
Question:
You are caring for a PT who is being treated for HF and has prescriptions for digoxin and
furosemide. You plan to monitor for which of the following as an adverse effect of these meds?
1. SOB
2. Lightheadedness
3. Dry cough
4. Metallic taste.
Answer:
2. Lightheadedness- can cause a sudden drop in BP=
lightheadedness
Questions and Answers Verified Solutions
Latest Update 2026/2027
Question:
You are providing teaching to a PT who is 2 days post op following a heart transplant. Which
following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
1. You may no longer be able to feel chest pain
2. Your level of activity intolerance will not change
3. after 6 months you will no longer need to restrict you Na
4. You will be able to stop taking immunosuppressants after 12 months.
Answer:
1. You may no longer be able to feel chest pain- transplant PTs
no longer feel chest pain due to denervation of the heart
Question:
ER nurse is assessing PT with bradydysrhythmia. Which finding should he expect?
1. Confusion
2. Friction Rub
3. HTN
4. Dry skin.
Answer:
1. Confusion- as a result of decreased tissue perfusion
Question:
You are caring for a PT who had an anterior MI. PTs hx shows she is 1 wk post op open
cholecystectomy the RN knows that which intervention is contraindicated?
1. Administering IV morphine
2. giving O2 at 2L NC
3. Helping client to BSC
4. Assisting in thrombolytic therapy.
,Answer:
4. Assisting in thrombolytic therapy- having surgery within 3
wks is a contraindication for thrombolytic therapy
Question:
You are caring for a PT who has endocarditis. Which finding should you recognize as a
complication?
1. Ventricular depolarization
2. Guillain Barre Syndrome
3. Myelodysplastic syndrome
4. Valvular disease.
Answer:
4. Valvular disease- damage will occur as a result of
inflammation or infection of the endocardium
Question:
You are caring for PT with BP of 254/139, you recognize the PT is in a hypertensive crisis. Which
action should you take first?
1. Obtain blood samples for testing
2. Tell the PT to report vision changes
3. Place HOB at 45 degrees
4. Initiate IV access.
Answer:
3. Place HOB at 45 degrees-ABC's this will promote
respiratory status and promote venous return reducing workload on heart
**Initiate IV access- not first action
Question:
When performing a cardiac assessment what is the point of maximal impulse?
1. 2nd intercostal space right to the sternum
2. 2nd intercostal space left to the sternum
3. 5th intercostal space to the left of thermal border
4. Left 5th intercostal space in the midclavicular line.
Answer:
, 4. Left 5th intercostal space in the midclavicular line-this is
best to hear the apex of the heart which is considered maximal impulse
Question:
You are caring for a PT who is experiencing Afib. You should report what finding to the provider?
1. Slurred speech
2. Irregular pulse
3. Dependent edema
4. Persistant fatigue.
Answer:
1. Slurred speech- greatest risk is an embolus and this can
indicate embolus
Question:
You are assessing a PT with Left sided heart failure. What manifestation should you expect to find?
1. Increased abdominal girth
2. Weak peripheral pulses
3. Jugular venous neck distention
4. Dependent edema.
Answer:
2. Weak peripheral pulses- r/t decreased CO from LSHF
Question:
You are caring for a PT who is being treated for HF and has prescriptions for digoxin and
furosemide. You plan to monitor for which of the following as an adverse effect of these meds?
1. SOB
2. Lightheadedness
3. Dry cough
4. Metallic taste.
Answer:
2. Lightheadedness- can cause a sudden drop in BP=
lightheadedness
