AACN PCCN EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS|
100% PASS GUARANTEED GRADED A+
,Cardiovascular (Questions 1–25)
1. A patient in the progressive care unit suddenly develops chest pain, dyspnea, and a loud, machinery-like
murmur. The nurse suspects which complication?
- A) Ventricular septal rupture
- B) Papillary muscle rupture
- C) Acute pericarditis
- D) Aortic dissection
- Answer: A) Ventricular septal rupture
- Rationale: A loud, harsh, machinery-like murmur heard best at the left sternal border following myocardial
infarction suggests a ventricular septal rupture, a mechanical complication requiring urgent intervention.
2. Which hemodynamic profile is most consistent with cardiogenic shock?
- A) Increased cardiac output, decreased SVR
- B) Decreased cardiac index, increased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
- C) Increased cardiac index, decreased pulmonary artery pressure
- D) Normal cardiac output, increased central venous pressure
,- Answer: B) Decreased cardiac index, increased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
- Rationale: Cardiogenic shock results from pump failure, causing low cardiac output and elevated left ventricular
filling pressures (high PCWP).
3. A patient with acute decompensated heart failure is started on dobutamine. The nurse monitors for which
common adverse effect?
- A) Bradycardia
- B) Ventricular dysrhythmias
- C) Hypertension
- D) Hyperkalemia
- Answer: B) Ventricular dysrhythmias
- Rationale: Dobutamine is a beta-1 agonist that increases heart rate and contractility, potentially causing
tachyarrhythmias and ventricular ectopy.
4. Which ECG finding indicates a need for immediate intervention in a patient with acute coronary syndrome?
- A) T-wave inversion
- B) ST-segment depression
- C) ST-segment elevation
- D) U waves
, - Answer: C) ST-segment elevation
- Rationale: ST-segment elevation indicates acute transmural myocardial injury and is a criterion for immediate
reperfusion therapy (PCI or thrombolytics).
5. A patient’s central venous pressure (CVP) is 2 mm Hg (normal 2–6). The nurse interprets this as:
- A) Fluid overload
- B) Hypovolemia
- C) Right ventricular failure
- D) Pulmonary hypertension
- Answer: B) Hypovolemia
- Rationale: Low CVP indicates low right atrial pressure, commonly due to decreased circulating volume
(hypovolemia).
6. Which finding is characteristic of cardiac tamponade?
- A) Pulsus paradoxus
- B) Hypertension
- C) Widened pulse pressure
- D) Bounding pulses
100% PASS GUARANTEED GRADED A+
,Cardiovascular (Questions 1–25)
1. A patient in the progressive care unit suddenly develops chest pain, dyspnea, and a loud, machinery-like
murmur. The nurse suspects which complication?
- A) Ventricular septal rupture
- B) Papillary muscle rupture
- C) Acute pericarditis
- D) Aortic dissection
- Answer: A) Ventricular septal rupture
- Rationale: A loud, harsh, machinery-like murmur heard best at the left sternal border following myocardial
infarction suggests a ventricular septal rupture, a mechanical complication requiring urgent intervention.
2. Which hemodynamic profile is most consistent with cardiogenic shock?
- A) Increased cardiac output, decreased SVR
- B) Decreased cardiac index, increased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
- C) Increased cardiac index, decreased pulmonary artery pressure
- D) Normal cardiac output, increased central venous pressure
,- Answer: B) Decreased cardiac index, increased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
- Rationale: Cardiogenic shock results from pump failure, causing low cardiac output and elevated left ventricular
filling pressures (high PCWP).
3. A patient with acute decompensated heart failure is started on dobutamine. The nurse monitors for which
common adverse effect?
- A) Bradycardia
- B) Ventricular dysrhythmias
- C) Hypertension
- D) Hyperkalemia
- Answer: B) Ventricular dysrhythmias
- Rationale: Dobutamine is a beta-1 agonist that increases heart rate and contractility, potentially causing
tachyarrhythmias and ventricular ectopy.
4. Which ECG finding indicates a need for immediate intervention in a patient with acute coronary syndrome?
- A) T-wave inversion
- B) ST-segment depression
- C) ST-segment elevation
- D) U waves
, - Answer: C) ST-segment elevation
- Rationale: ST-segment elevation indicates acute transmural myocardial injury and is a criterion for immediate
reperfusion therapy (PCI or thrombolytics).
5. A patient’s central venous pressure (CVP) is 2 mm Hg (normal 2–6). The nurse interprets this as:
- A) Fluid overload
- B) Hypovolemia
- C) Right ventricular failure
- D) Pulmonary hypertension
- Answer: B) Hypovolemia
- Rationale: Low CVP indicates low right atrial pressure, commonly due to decreased circulating volume
(hypovolemia).
6. Which finding is characteristic of cardiac tamponade?
- A) Pulsus paradoxus
- B) Hypertension
- C) Widened pulse pressure
- D) Bounding pulses
