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!!)
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders – Valvular Heart Disease
and Structural Conditions (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with mitral stenosis. The nurse
understands that the most common cause of this condition is:
A. Infective endocarditis
B. Congenital heart defect
C. Rheumatic fever
D. Degenerative calcification
Answer: C
Rationale: Rheumatic heart disease, a complication of untreated Group A streptococcal
infection, is the leading cause of mitral stenosis. The valve leaflets become thickened
and fused, obstructing blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Infective
endocarditis and degenerative changes are less common causes .
2. A client with mitral stenosis reports fatigue and dyspnea on
exertion. The nurse explains that these symptoms result from:
A. Right ventricular failure
B. Increased pulmonary pressure due to obstructed left atrial emptying
,C. Systemic vasodilation
D. Decreased heart rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Mitral stenosis impedes blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle,
causing pressure to build in the left atrium and pulmonary circulation. This leads to
pulmonary congestion, dyspnea, and fatigue. Right ventricular failure may develop later
as a consequence .
3. The nurse is auscultating a client with known aortic stenosis.
Which murmur description is expected?
A. Holosystolic murmur at the apex
B. Diastolic decrescendo murmur at the left sternal border
C. Systolic ejection murmur at the right upper sternal border
D. Continuous murmur at the left sternal border
Answer: C
Rationale: Aortic stenosis produces a systolic ejection murmur best heard at the right
upper sternal border (second intercostal space). The murmur is harsh and crescendo-
decrescendo. Mitral regurgitation produces a holosystolic murmur at the apex, and
aortic regurgitation produces a diastolic murmur .
4. A client with mitral regurgitation is being assessed. The nurse
understands that the pathophysiology of this condition involves:
A. Obstruction of blood flow through the mitral valve
B. Backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole
C. Narrowing of the aortic valve opening
D. Prolapse of the mitral valve leaflets into the left atrium
Answer: B
Rationale: Mitral regurgitation is characterized by incomplete closure of the mitral valve
during systole, causing blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left
atrium. This leads to volume overload of the left atrium and ventricle, which can
progress to heart failure over time .
,5. Which pathophysiologic change occurs in mitral regurgitation?
A. Left atrial dilation and left ventricular hypertrophy
B. Decreased pulmonary artery pressure
C. Systemic hypotension
D. Right ventricular hypertrophy only
Answer: A
Rationale: In mitral regurgitation, blood flows backward into the left atrium during
systole, causing volume overload. The left atrium dilates and the left ventricle
hypertrophies to maintain cardiac output. Over time, this can lead to heart failure .
6. The nurse is teaching a client with mitral valve prolapse. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will need surgery immediately."
B. "I may need prophylactic antibiotics before dental procedures."
C. "Most people with this condition are asymptomatic and do not require treatment."
D. "This condition always progresses to heart failure."
Answer: C
Rationale: Mitral valve prolapse is often benign; most individuals are asymptomatic and
do not need treatment beyond periodic monitoring. Antibiotic prophylaxis is no longer
routinely recommended except in specific high-risk cases .
7. The diagnostic test that best evaluates the structure and
function of heart valves is a(n):
A. Electrocardiogram
B. Chest x-ray
C. Transesophageal echocardiogram
D. BNP level
Answer: C
Rationale: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides high-resolution images of
the heart valves, allowing assessment of stenosis, regurgitation, and vegetations. It is
, superior to transthoracic echocardiography for visualizing posterior structures like the
mitral valve .
8. The nurse is caring for a client with atrial fibrillation. The
priority nursing intervention is to:
A. Administer a beta-blocker
B. Assess for signs of stroke and anticoagulation status
C. Prepare for immediate cardioversion
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of thromboembolic stroke. The nurse must
assess neurological status and ensure the client is adequately anticoagulated. Rate
control and rhythm management are also important, but stroke prevention is the
priority .
9. A client is 24 hours post-operative following mechanical valve
replacement. Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Pain at the incision site
B. Temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C)
C. Heart murmur
D. Absence of bowel sounds
Answer: C
Rationale: A new or changed heart murmur in a post-operative valve replacement
patient may indicate valve thrombosis, dehiscence, or infective endocarditis. This
requires immediate evaluation. Incision pain, low-grade fever, and absent bowel sounds
are expected findings in the early post-operative period.
10. The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a
mechanical heart valve. Which statement indicates the client
understands the teaching?
ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK | MDC 3 EXAM 3 REVIEW
WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS / ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders – Valvular Heart Disease
and Structural Conditions (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with mitral stenosis. The nurse
understands that the most common cause of this condition is:
A. Infective endocarditis
B. Congenital heart defect
C. Rheumatic fever
D. Degenerative calcification
Answer: C
Rationale: Rheumatic heart disease, a complication of untreated Group A streptococcal
infection, is the leading cause of mitral stenosis. The valve leaflets become thickened
and fused, obstructing blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Infective
endocarditis and degenerative changes are less common causes .
2. A client with mitral stenosis reports fatigue and dyspnea on
exertion. The nurse explains that these symptoms result from:
A. Right ventricular failure
B. Increased pulmonary pressure due to obstructed left atrial emptying
,C. Systemic vasodilation
D. Decreased heart rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Mitral stenosis impedes blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle,
causing pressure to build in the left atrium and pulmonary circulation. This leads to
pulmonary congestion, dyspnea, and fatigue. Right ventricular failure may develop later
as a consequence .
3. The nurse is auscultating a client with known aortic stenosis.
Which murmur description is expected?
A. Holosystolic murmur at the apex
B. Diastolic decrescendo murmur at the left sternal border
C. Systolic ejection murmur at the right upper sternal border
D. Continuous murmur at the left sternal border
Answer: C
Rationale: Aortic stenosis produces a systolic ejection murmur best heard at the right
upper sternal border (second intercostal space). The murmur is harsh and crescendo-
decrescendo. Mitral regurgitation produces a holosystolic murmur at the apex, and
aortic regurgitation produces a diastolic murmur .
4. A client with mitral regurgitation is being assessed. The nurse
understands that the pathophysiology of this condition involves:
A. Obstruction of blood flow through the mitral valve
B. Backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole
C. Narrowing of the aortic valve opening
D. Prolapse of the mitral valve leaflets into the left atrium
Answer: B
Rationale: Mitral regurgitation is characterized by incomplete closure of the mitral valve
during systole, causing blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left
atrium. This leads to volume overload of the left atrium and ventricle, which can
progress to heart failure over time .
,5. Which pathophysiologic change occurs in mitral regurgitation?
A. Left atrial dilation and left ventricular hypertrophy
B. Decreased pulmonary artery pressure
C. Systemic hypotension
D. Right ventricular hypertrophy only
Answer: A
Rationale: In mitral regurgitation, blood flows backward into the left atrium during
systole, causing volume overload. The left atrium dilates and the left ventricle
hypertrophies to maintain cardiac output. Over time, this can lead to heart failure .
6. The nurse is teaching a client with mitral valve prolapse. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will need surgery immediately."
B. "I may need prophylactic antibiotics before dental procedures."
C. "Most people with this condition are asymptomatic and do not require treatment."
D. "This condition always progresses to heart failure."
Answer: C
Rationale: Mitral valve prolapse is often benign; most individuals are asymptomatic and
do not need treatment beyond periodic monitoring. Antibiotic prophylaxis is no longer
routinely recommended except in specific high-risk cases .
7. The diagnostic test that best evaluates the structure and
function of heart valves is a(n):
A. Electrocardiogram
B. Chest x-ray
C. Transesophageal echocardiogram
D. BNP level
Answer: C
Rationale: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides high-resolution images of
the heart valves, allowing assessment of stenosis, regurgitation, and vegetations. It is
, superior to transthoracic echocardiography for visualizing posterior structures like the
mitral valve .
8. The nurse is caring for a client with atrial fibrillation. The
priority nursing intervention is to:
A. Administer a beta-blocker
B. Assess for signs of stroke and anticoagulation status
C. Prepare for immediate cardioversion
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of thromboembolic stroke. The nurse must
assess neurological status and ensure the client is adequately anticoagulated. Rate
control and rhythm management are also important, but stroke prevention is the
priority .
9. A client is 24 hours post-operative following mechanical valve
replacement. Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Pain at the incision site
B. Temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C)
C. Heart murmur
D. Absence of bowel sounds
Answer: C
Rationale: A new or changed heart murmur in a post-operative valve replacement
patient may indicate valve thrombosis, dehiscence, or infective endocarditis. This
requires immediate evaluation. Incision pain, low-grade fever, and absent bowel sounds
are expected findings in the early post-operative period.
10. The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a
mechanical heart valve. Which statement indicates the client
understands the teaching?
