MDC III EXAM 3 (RASMUSSEN) NEWEST 2026/2027
ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK| MDC 3 EXAM 3 REVIEW
WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
Question 1
The nurse is teaching a client about the cardiac conduction system. Which of the
following statements about automaticity is correct?
A. Automaticity is the ability of cardiac cells to respond to a stimulus
B. Automaticity is the ability of cardiac cells to initiate an impulse spontaneously and
repetitively
C. Automaticity is the ability of cardiac tissue to transmit impulses to neighboring cells
D. Automaticity is the ability of atrial and ventricular muscle cells to shorten their fiber
length
Correct Answer: B. Automaticity is the ability of cardiac cells to initiate an impulse
spontaneously and repetitively
Rationale: Automaticity allows cardiac cells to generate impulses independently and
rhythmically. Excitability is the ability to respond to a stimulus, conductivity allows
transmission of impulses to neighboring cells, and contractility is the ability of muscle
cells to shorten their fiber length in response to electrical stimulation .
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing cardiac physiology with a client. Which of the following
describes systole?
A. Relaxation phase when ventricles are filling
B. Contraction phase when blood is ejected from the ventricles
C. The final volume in the ventricle at the end of diastole
D. The force exerted against the vessel wall by blood flow
,Correct Answer: B. Contraction phase when blood is ejected from the ventricles
Rationale: Systole is the contraction phase of the cardiac cycle, representing the last 1/3
of the cycle when blood is ejected from the ventricles. Diastole is the relaxation phase
(first 2/3 of the cycle) when ventricles are filling. Preload is the final volume in the
ventricle at the end of diastole, and blood pressure is the force exerted against the
vessel wall .
Question 3
The nurse is teaching a client about the cardiac conduction pathway. In which
order does the electrical impulse travel through the heart?
A. AV node → SA node → Bundle of His → Purkinje fibers → Bundle branches
B. SA node → AV node → Bundle of His → Bundle branches → Purkinje fibers
C. Bundle of His → SA node → AV node → Purkinje fibers → Bundle branches
D. Purkinje fibers → Bundle branches → Bundle of His → AV node → SA node
Correct Answer: B. SA node → AV node → Bundle of His → Bundle branches → Purkinje
fibers
Rationale: The cardiac impulse originates in the SA node (pacemaker of the heart),
travels through internodal pathways to the AV node (where it is delayed allowing for
atrial contraction and ventricular filling), then leaves the AV node through the Bundle of
His, branches into the right and left bundle branches, and ends in the Purkinje fibers
which facilitate ventricular contraction .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with orthostatic hypotension. Which of the following
is the correct technique for assessing orthostatic blood pressure?
A. Have the patient lie flat, then sit up, and immediately take blood pressure
B. Have the patient remain in position for 3 minutes before changing position, then wait
1 minute before assessing blood pressure
C. Assess blood pressure in supine position only
D. Take blood pressure immediately after the patient stands without waiting
,Correct Answer: B. Have the patient remain in position for 3 minutes before changing
position, then wait 1 minute before assessing blood pressure
Rationale: To properly assess for orthostatic hypotension, the patient should remain in
position for about 3 minutes before changing position, then wait 1 minute before
assessing blood pressure. Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a decrease of 20 mmHg
systolic or more than 10 mmHg diastolic pressure with a 10% increase in heart rate .
Question 5
The nurse is assessing a client's pulse pressure. Which of the following formulas is
correct for calculating pulse pressure?
A. Diastolic pressure divided by systolic pressure
B. Systolic pressure minus diastolic pressure
C. Systolic pressure plus diastolic pressure
D. Diastolic pressure minus systolic pressure
Correct Answer: B. Systolic pressure minus diastolic pressure
Rationale: Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood
pressure. A narrowed pulse pressure results from increased peripheral vascular
resistance or decreased stroke volume in patients with heart failure, hypovolemia, or
shock .
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client with suspected pericardial tamponade. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Narrowed pulse pressure
B. Paradoxical blood pressure
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Increased pulse pressure
Correct Answer: B. Paradoxical blood pressure
, Rationale: Paradoxical blood pressure is an exaggerated decrease in systolic pressure
by more than 10 mmHg during the inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle (normal is
3-10 mmHg). This finding is associated with pericardial tamponade, constrictive
pericarditis, and pulmonary hypertension .
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client with hypotension. Which of the following blood
pressure readings indicates hypotension?
A. 120/80 mmHg
B. 110/70 mmHg
C. 90/60 mmHg or less
D. 130/90 mmHg
Correct Answer: C. 90/60 mmHg or less
Rationale: Hypotension is defined as blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg or less, which
might not be adequate to provide sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This
requires assessment and intervention to ensure adequate tissue perfusion .
Question 8
The nurse is teaching a client about the cardiac action potential. Which phase
represents the resting state of the cardiac cell?
A. Phase 0 (depolarization)
B. Phase 1 (early repolarization)
C. Phase 2 (plateau phase)
D. Phase 4 (resting membrane potential)
Correct Answer: D. Phase 4 (resting membrane potential)
Rationale: Phase 4 is the resting membrane potential when the cardiac cell is polarized
and at rest. Phase 0 represents depolarization, Phase 1 is early repolarization, and Phase
2 is the plateau phase where calcium influx occurs .
ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK| MDC 3 EXAM 3 REVIEW
WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
Question 1
The nurse is teaching a client about the cardiac conduction system. Which of the
following statements about automaticity is correct?
A. Automaticity is the ability of cardiac cells to respond to a stimulus
B. Automaticity is the ability of cardiac cells to initiate an impulse spontaneously and
repetitively
C. Automaticity is the ability of cardiac tissue to transmit impulses to neighboring cells
D. Automaticity is the ability of atrial and ventricular muscle cells to shorten their fiber
length
Correct Answer: B. Automaticity is the ability of cardiac cells to initiate an impulse
spontaneously and repetitively
Rationale: Automaticity allows cardiac cells to generate impulses independently and
rhythmically. Excitability is the ability to respond to a stimulus, conductivity allows
transmission of impulses to neighboring cells, and contractility is the ability of muscle
cells to shorten their fiber length in response to electrical stimulation .
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing cardiac physiology with a client. Which of the following
describes systole?
A. Relaxation phase when ventricles are filling
B. Contraction phase when blood is ejected from the ventricles
C. The final volume in the ventricle at the end of diastole
D. The force exerted against the vessel wall by blood flow
,Correct Answer: B. Contraction phase when blood is ejected from the ventricles
Rationale: Systole is the contraction phase of the cardiac cycle, representing the last 1/3
of the cycle when blood is ejected from the ventricles. Diastole is the relaxation phase
(first 2/3 of the cycle) when ventricles are filling. Preload is the final volume in the
ventricle at the end of diastole, and blood pressure is the force exerted against the
vessel wall .
Question 3
The nurse is teaching a client about the cardiac conduction pathway. In which
order does the electrical impulse travel through the heart?
A. AV node → SA node → Bundle of His → Purkinje fibers → Bundle branches
B. SA node → AV node → Bundle of His → Bundle branches → Purkinje fibers
C. Bundle of His → SA node → AV node → Purkinje fibers → Bundle branches
D. Purkinje fibers → Bundle branches → Bundle of His → AV node → SA node
Correct Answer: B. SA node → AV node → Bundle of His → Bundle branches → Purkinje
fibers
Rationale: The cardiac impulse originates in the SA node (pacemaker of the heart),
travels through internodal pathways to the AV node (where it is delayed allowing for
atrial contraction and ventricular filling), then leaves the AV node through the Bundle of
His, branches into the right and left bundle branches, and ends in the Purkinje fibers
which facilitate ventricular contraction .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with orthostatic hypotension. Which of the following
is the correct technique for assessing orthostatic blood pressure?
A. Have the patient lie flat, then sit up, and immediately take blood pressure
B. Have the patient remain in position for 3 minutes before changing position, then wait
1 minute before assessing blood pressure
C. Assess blood pressure in supine position only
D. Take blood pressure immediately after the patient stands without waiting
,Correct Answer: B. Have the patient remain in position for 3 minutes before changing
position, then wait 1 minute before assessing blood pressure
Rationale: To properly assess for orthostatic hypotension, the patient should remain in
position for about 3 minutes before changing position, then wait 1 minute before
assessing blood pressure. Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a decrease of 20 mmHg
systolic or more than 10 mmHg diastolic pressure with a 10% increase in heart rate .
Question 5
The nurse is assessing a client's pulse pressure. Which of the following formulas is
correct for calculating pulse pressure?
A. Diastolic pressure divided by systolic pressure
B. Systolic pressure minus diastolic pressure
C. Systolic pressure plus diastolic pressure
D. Diastolic pressure minus systolic pressure
Correct Answer: B. Systolic pressure minus diastolic pressure
Rationale: Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood
pressure. A narrowed pulse pressure results from increased peripheral vascular
resistance or decreased stroke volume in patients with heart failure, hypovolemia, or
shock .
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client with suspected pericardial tamponade. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Narrowed pulse pressure
B. Paradoxical blood pressure
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Increased pulse pressure
Correct Answer: B. Paradoxical blood pressure
, Rationale: Paradoxical blood pressure is an exaggerated decrease in systolic pressure
by more than 10 mmHg during the inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle (normal is
3-10 mmHg). This finding is associated with pericardial tamponade, constrictive
pericarditis, and pulmonary hypertension .
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client with hypotension. Which of the following blood
pressure readings indicates hypotension?
A. 120/80 mmHg
B. 110/70 mmHg
C. 90/60 mmHg or less
D. 130/90 mmHg
Correct Answer: C. 90/60 mmHg or less
Rationale: Hypotension is defined as blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg or less, which
might not be adequate to provide sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This
requires assessment and intervention to ensure adequate tissue perfusion .
Question 8
The nurse is teaching a client about the cardiac action potential. Which phase
represents the resting state of the cardiac cell?
A. Phase 0 (depolarization)
B. Phase 1 (early repolarization)
C. Phase 2 (plateau phase)
D. Phase 4 (resting membrane potential)
Correct Answer: D. Phase 4 (resting membrane potential)
Rationale: Phase 4 is the resting membrane potential when the cardiac cell is polarized
and at rest. Phase 0 represents depolarization, Phase 1 is early repolarization, and Phase
2 is the plateau phase where calcium influx occurs .
