ANCC CVN Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Certification Exam Prep |
Complete Practice Questions & Answers 2026/2027
Question 1
Which heart sound is produced by the closure of the atrioventricular
(mitral and tricuspid) valves, marking the onset of ventricular systole?
• A. S1
• B. S2
• C. S3
• D. S4
Correct Answer: A. S1
Detailed Rationale: The first heart sound (S1) corresponds to the
closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves, which occurs as ventricular
pressure exceeds atrial pressure at the beginning of systole.
Question 2
During which phase of the cardiac cycle does the majority of coronary
artery blood perfusion occur in the left ventricle?
• A. Ventricular systole
• B. Isovolumetric contraction
• C. Ventricular diastole
• D. Atrial systole
Correct Answer: C. Ventricular diastole
,Detailed Rationale: During ventricular systole, myocardial contraction
compresses the intramuscular coronary vessels, restricting flow.
Consequently, left ventricular myocardial perfusion occurs primarily
during diastole when the aortic valve is closed and coronary vascular
resistance is lowest.
Question 3
What is the normal primary electrical pacemaker of the heart
responsible for initiating spontaneous depolarization?
• A. Atrioventricular (AV) node
• B. Bundle of His
• C. Sinoatrial (SA) node
• D. Purkinje fiber network
Correct Answer: C. Sinoatrial (SA) node
Detailed Rationale: The SA node, located at the junction of the superior
vena cava and the right atrium, has the highest inherent automaticity
and normally sets the baseline heart rate.
Question 4
According to the Frank-Starling law of the heart, what happens to stroke
volume when venous return (preload) increases within physiological
limits?
• A. Stroke volume decreases due to myocardial fiber
overextension.
• B. Stroke volume increases due to enhanced myocardial fiber
stretch resulting in a more forceful contraction.
, • C. Stroke volume remains completely unchanged.
• D. Stroke volume drops to zero immediately.
Correct Answer: B. Stroke volume increases due to enhanced
myocardial fiber stretch resulting in a more forceful contraction.
Detailed Rationale: The Frank-Starling mechanism dictates that
increased ventricular filling stretches sarcomeres closer to optimal
length, producing a stronger contractile force and greater stroke
volume.
Question 5
Where are the primary arterial baroreceptors located, which play a
crucial role in short-term blood pressure regulation?
• A. Carotid sinus and aortic arch
• B. Renal glomeruli and renal cortex
• C. Pulmonary capillary bed
• D. Left ventricular apex
Correct Answer: A. Carotid sinus and aortic arch
Detailed Rationale: Baroreceptors located in the carotid sinuses (via the
glossopharyngeal nerve) and the aortic arch (via the vagus nerve)
monitor stretch and signal the vasomotor center to adjust autonomic
tone.
Question 6
What is the normal resting cardiac output for a healthy adult?
• A. 1.0 to 2.5 L/min
, • B. 4.0 to 8.0 L/min
• C. 10.0 to 12.5 L/min
• D. 15.0 to 20.0 L/min
Correct Answer: B. 4.0 to 8.0 L/min
Detailed Rationale: Cardiac output (heart rate multiplied by stroke
volume) typically ranges from 4.0 to 8.0 L/min in a resting adult,
ensuring adequate tissue oxygen delivery.
Question 7
What is considered the normal range for left ventricular ejection
fraction (LVEF) measured by echocardiography?
• A. 20% to 35%
• B. 40% to 49%
• C. 55% to 70%
• D. 80% to 95%
Correct Answer: C. 55% to 70%
Detailed Rationale: A normal left ventricular ejection fraction falls
between 55% and 70%, indicating that more than half of the blood
filling the ventricle is successfully ejected with each beat.
Question 8
The left main coronary artery typically bifurcates into which two major
branches?
• A. Right coronary artery and posterior descending artery
Complete Practice Questions & Answers 2026/2027
Question 1
Which heart sound is produced by the closure of the atrioventricular
(mitral and tricuspid) valves, marking the onset of ventricular systole?
• A. S1
• B. S2
• C. S3
• D. S4
Correct Answer: A. S1
Detailed Rationale: The first heart sound (S1) corresponds to the
closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves, which occurs as ventricular
pressure exceeds atrial pressure at the beginning of systole.
Question 2
During which phase of the cardiac cycle does the majority of coronary
artery blood perfusion occur in the left ventricle?
• A. Ventricular systole
• B. Isovolumetric contraction
• C. Ventricular diastole
• D. Atrial systole
Correct Answer: C. Ventricular diastole
,Detailed Rationale: During ventricular systole, myocardial contraction
compresses the intramuscular coronary vessels, restricting flow.
Consequently, left ventricular myocardial perfusion occurs primarily
during diastole when the aortic valve is closed and coronary vascular
resistance is lowest.
Question 3
What is the normal primary electrical pacemaker of the heart
responsible for initiating spontaneous depolarization?
• A. Atrioventricular (AV) node
• B. Bundle of His
• C. Sinoatrial (SA) node
• D. Purkinje fiber network
Correct Answer: C. Sinoatrial (SA) node
Detailed Rationale: The SA node, located at the junction of the superior
vena cava and the right atrium, has the highest inherent automaticity
and normally sets the baseline heart rate.
Question 4
According to the Frank-Starling law of the heart, what happens to stroke
volume when venous return (preload) increases within physiological
limits?
• A. Stroke volume decreases due to myocardial fiber
overextension.
• B. Stroke volume increases due to enhanced myocardial fiber
stretch resulting in a more forceful contraction.
, • C. Stroke volume remains completely unchanged.
• D. Stroke volume drops to zero immediately.
Correct Answer: B. Stroke volume increases due to enhanced
myocardial fiber stretch resulting in a more forceful contraction.
Detailed Rationale: The Frank-Starling mechanism dictates that
increased ventricular filling stretches sarcomeres closer to optimal
length, producing a stronger contractile force and greater stroke
volume.
Question 5
Where are the primary arterial baroreceptors located, which play a
crucial role in short-term blood pressure regulation?
• A. Carotid sinus and aortic arch
• B. Renal glomeruli and renal cortex
• C. Pulmonary capillary bed
• D. Left ventricular apex
Correct Answer: A. Carotid sinus and aortic arch
Detailed Rationale: Baroreceptors located in the carotid sinuses (via the
glossopharyngeal nerve) and the aortic arch (via the vagus nerve)
monitor stretch and signal the vasomotor center to adjust autonomic
tone.
Question 6
What is the normal resting cardiac output for a healthy adult?
• A. 1.0 to 2.5 L/min
, • B. 4.0 to 8.0 L/min
• C. 10.0 to 12.5 L/min
• D. 15.0 to 20.0 L/min
Correct Answer: B. 4.0 to 8.0 L/min
Detailed Rationale: Cardiac output (heart rate multiplied by stroke
volume) typically ranges from 4.0 to 8.0 L/min in a resting adult,
ensuring adequate tissue oxygen delivery.
Question 7
What is considered the normal range for left ventricular ejection
fraction (LVEF) measured by echocardiography?
• A. 20% to 35%
• B. 40% to 49%
• C. 55% to 70%
• D. 80% to 95%
Correct Answer: C. 55% to 70%
Detailed Rationale: A normal left ventricular ejection fraction falls
between 55% and 70%, indicating that more than half of the blood
filling the ventricle is successfully ejected with each beat.
Question 8
The left main coronary artery typically bifurcates into which two major
branches?
• A. Right coronary artery and posterior descending artery
