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CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING EXAM
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
(Questions 1-20)
1. A nurse is reviewing cardiac anatomy. Which chamber of the heart receives
deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation?
A. Left atrium
B. Left ventricle
C. Right atrium
D. Right ventricle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation via
the superior and inferior vena cava. The left atrium (A) receives oxygenated blood from the
lungs. The right ventricle (D) pumps blood to the lungs. The left ventricle (B) pumps blood to
the body.
2. A nurse is reviewing the cardiac conduction system. Which structure is known as the
"pacemaker" of the heart?
A. Atrioventricular (AV) node
B. Bundle of His
C. Purkinje fibers
D. Sinoatrial (SA) node
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Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node is the primary pacemaker of the heart, generating
electrical impulses at a rate of 60-100 beats per minute. The AV node (A) delays the impulse,
allowing for atrial contraction before ventricular contraction. The Bundle of His (B) and
Purkinje fibers (C) transmit the impulse to the ventricles.
3. A nurse is assessing cardiac output. Which formula correctly represents cardiac
output?
A. Stroke volume × Heart rate
B. Blood pressure × Heart rate
C. Stroke volume × Blood pressure
D. Cardiac index × Body surface area
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cardiac output is calculated as Stroke Volume × Heart Rate. It represents the
amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute (normal 4-8 L/min). Blood pressure (B) is
not used in this formula. Cardiac index (D) is cardiac output adjusted for body surface area.
4. A nurse is explaining the Frank-Starling law to a nursing student. Which statement
best describes this law?
A. The heart rate increases in response to increased blood pressure
B. The stroke volume increases with increased venous return
C. The cardiac output decreases with increased afterload
D. The heart contracts more forcefully with increased sympathetic stimulation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Frank-Starling law states that the stroke volume of the heart increases in
response to an increase in the volume of blood filling the heart (preload). The other options
do not accurately describe this law.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's pulse. Which pulse site is most commonly used to assess
heart rate in an adult?
A. Apical pulse
B. Brachial pulse
C. Carotid pulse
D. Radial pulse
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Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The radial pulse is most commonly used to assess heart rate in adults. The apical
pulse (A) is used for infants and for assessing heart sounds. The brachial pulse (B) is used for
blood pressure measurement. The carotid pulse (C) is used in emergency situations.
6. A nurse is reviewing the layers of the heart wall. Which layer is responsible for the
contractile function of the heart?
A. Endocardium
B. Epicardium
C. Myocardium
D. Pericardium
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The myocardium is the middle layer of the heart wall and is responsible for the
contractile function of the heart. The endocardium (A) is the inner lining of the heart. The
epicardium (B) is the outer layer of the heart wall. The pericardium (D) is the sac surrounding
the heart.
7. A nurse is reviewing cardiac blood flow. Which valve prevents backflow from the left
ventricle to the left atrium?
A. Aortic valve
B. Mitral valve
C. Pulmonic valve
D. Tricuspid valve
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mitral (bicuspid) valve prevents backflow from the left ventricle to the left
atrium. The aortic valve (A) prevents backflow from the aorta to the left ventricle. The
pulmonic valve (C) prevents backflow from the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle. The
tricuspid valve (D) prevents backflow from the right ventricle to the right atrium.
8. A nurse is assessing a client's blood pressure. Which factor has the greatest influence
on blood pressure?
A. Cardiac output and peripheral resistance
B. Heart rate and stroke volume
C. Blood volume and viscosity
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D. Elasticity of blood vessels
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Blood pressure is primarily determined by cardiac output and peripheral vascular
resistance. Heart rate and stroke volume (B) affect cardiac output. Blood volume (C) and
vessel elasticity (D) are also factors but are secondary to cardiac output and resistance.
9. A nurse is reviewing the coronary arteries. Which artery is most commonly involved
in myocardial infarction?
A. Circumflex artery
B. Left anterior descending (LAD) artery
C. Right coronary artery
D. Marginal artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The left anterior descending (LAD) artery, also known as the "widow maker," is
most commonly involved in myocardial infarction. It supplies blood to the anterior wall of
the left ventricle and the interventricular septum.
10. A nurse is assessing a client's jugular venous pressure (JVP). A normal JVP is
approximately:
A. Less than 3 cm above the sternal angle
B. 3-5 cm above the sternal angle
C. 5-8 cm above the sternal angle
D. Greater than 8 cm above the sternal angle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A normal JVP is less than 3 cm above the sternal angle. An elevated JVP (>3 cm)
indicates increased central venous pressure, which may occur in conditions such as heart
failure, pulmonary hypertension, or pericardial effusion.
11. A nurse is assessing heart sounds. The S1 heart sound is best heard at which area of
the chest?
A. Aortic area
B. Erb's point
C. Mitral area
D. Tricuspid area
CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING EXAM
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
(Questions 1-20)
1. A nurse is reviewing cardiac anatomy. Which chamber of the heart receives
deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation?
A. Left atrium
B. Left ventricle
C. Right atrium
D. Right ventricle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation via
the superior and inferior vena cava. The left atrium (A) receives oxygenated blood from the
lungs. The right ventricle (D) pumps blood to the lungs. The left ventricle (B) pumps blood to
the body.
2. A nurse is reviewing the cardiac conduction system. Which structure is known as the
"pacemaker" of the heart?
A. Atrioventricular (AV) node
B. Bundle of His
C. Purkinje fibers
D. Sinoatrial (SA) node
, Page 2 of 80
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node is the primary pacemaker of the heart, generating
electrical impulses at a rate of 60-100 beats per minute. The AV node (A) delays the impulse,
allowing for atrial contraction before ventricular contraction. The Bundle of His (B) and
Purkinje fibers (C) transmit the impulse to the ventricles.
3. A nurse is assessing cardiac output. Which formula correctly represents cardiac
output?
A. Stroke volume × Heart rate
B. Blood pressure × Heart rate
C. Stroke volume × Blood pressure
D. Cardiac index × Body surface area
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cardiac output is calculated as Stroke Volume × Heart Rate. It represents the
amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute (normal 4-8 L/min). Blood pressure (B) is
not used in this formula. Cardiac index (D) is cardiac output adjusted for body surface area.
4. A nurse is explaining the Frank-Starling law to a nursing student. Which statement
best describes this law?
A. The heart rate increases in response to increased blood pressure
B. The stroke volume increases with increased venous return
C. The cardiac output decreases with increased afterload
D. The heart contracts more forcefully with increased sympathetic stimulation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Frank-Starling law states that the stroke volume of the heart increases in
response to an increase in the volume of blood filling the heart (preload). The other options
do not accurately describe this law.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's pulse. Which pulse site is most commonly used to assess
heart rate in an adult?
A. Apical pulse
B. Brachial pulse
C. Carotid pulse
D. Radial pulse
, Page 3 of 80
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The radial pulse is most commonly used to assess heart rate in adults. The apical
pulse (A) is used for infants and for assessing heart sounds. The brachial pulse (B) is used for
blood pressure measurement. The carotid pulse (C) is used in emergency situations.
6. A nurse is reviewing the layers of the heart wall. Which layer is responsible for the
contractile function of the heart?
A. Endocardium
B. Epicardium
C. Myocardium
D. Pericardium
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The myocardium is the middle layer of the heart wall and is responsible for the
contractile function of the heart. The endocardium (A) is the inner lining of the heart. The
epicardium (B) is the outer layer of the heart wall. The pericardium (D) is the sac surrounding
the heart.
7. A nurse is reviewing cardiac blood flow. Which valve prevents backflow from the left
ventricle to the left atrium?
A. Aortic valve
B. Mitral valve
C. Pulmonic valve
D. Tricuspid valve
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The mitral (bicuspid) valve prevents backflow from the left ventricle to the left
atrium. The aortic valve (A) prevents backflow from the aorta to the left ventricle. The
pulmonic valve (C) prevents backflow from the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle. The
tricuspid valve (D) prevents backflow from the right ventricle to the right atrium.
8. A nurse is assessing a client's blood pressure. Which factor has the greatest influence
on blood pressure?
A. Cardiac output and peripheral resistance
B. Heart rate and stroke volume
C. Blood volume and viscosity
, Page 4 of 80
D. Elasticity of blood vessels
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Blood pressure is primarily determined by cardiac output and peripheral vascular
resistance. Heart rate and stroke volume (B) affect cardiac output. Blood volume (C) and
vessel elasticity (D) are also factors but are secondary to cardiac output and resistance.
9. A nurse is reviewing the coronary arteries. Which artery is most commonly involved
in myocardial infarction?
A. Circumflex artery
B. Left anterior descending (LAD) artery
C. Right coronary artery
D. Marginal artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The left anterior descending (LAD) artery, also known as the "widow maker," is
most commonly involved in myocardial infarction. It supplies blood to the anterior wall of
the left ventricle and the interventricular septum.
10. A nurse is assessing a client's jugular venous pressure (JVP). A normal JVP is
approximately:
A. Less than 3 cm above the sternal angle
B. 3-5 cm above the sternal angle
C. 5-8 cm above the sternal angle
D. Greater than 8 cm above the sternal angle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A normal JVP is less than 3 cm above the sternal angle. An elevated JVP (>3 cm)
indicates increased central venous pressure, which may occur in conditions such as heart
failure, pulmonary hypertension, or pericardial effusion.
11. A nurse is assessing heart sounds. The S1 heart sound is best heard at which area of
the chest?
A. Aortic area
B. Erb's point
C. Mitral area
D. Tricuspid area
