U N I V E R S I T Y O F A L A B A M A AT B I R M I N G H A M · S C H O O L O F N U R S I N G
NUR 612 Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Peripheral Vascular Disorders
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NUR 612 · UAB Page 1
,NUR 612 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Peripheral Vascular Disorders
1 A patient comes to the health-care provider office for a checkup. The nurse
practitioner notes that the patient is 67 years old and is presenting symptoms of
dizziness, orthopnea, and edema. The nurse practitioner begins a focused
assessment of the:
A Cardiovascular system
B Respiratory system
C Neurological system
D Reproductive system
Correct Answer: A — Dizziness, orthopnea, and edema are classic symptoms of
cardiovascular dysfunction.
B — Respiratory symptoms would include cough, dyspnea without orthopnea.
C — Neurological symptoms would include changes in mentation.
D — Reproductive symptoms would be unrelated.
, 2 The nurse practitioner knows that risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD)
include atherosclerosis. The nurse practitioner includes teaching on these factors
that can be remediated to help prevent CAD:
A Low blood pressure
B Age
C Advanced age and male gender
D Cholesterol levels and smoking
Correct Answer: D — Cholesterol levels and smoking are modifiable risk factors for CAD.
A — Low BP is not a risk factor; high BP is.
B — Age is a nonmodifiable risk factor.
C — Age and gender are nonmodifiable risk factors.
3 Mr. Thomas comes in for a health examination with his nurse practitioner. When the
nurse practitioner measures his blood pressure, the systolic is 150 mm and the
diastolic is 80 mm. When Mr. Thomas asks if that is a good pressure for him, the
nurse practitioner responds:
A It is normal for your age
B Isolated hypertension is usually identified by a systolic blood pressure (SBP) higher
than 160 mm Hg
C When evaluating blood pressure, a higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is risky
D There is a risk of a cardiovascular event for you with an SBP of 150 mm Hg
Correct Answer: B — Isolated systolic hypertension is defined as SBP >160 mm Hg with
DBP <90 mm Hg.
A — 150/80 is not normal; it is elevated.
C — Elevated SBP is more risky in older adults.
D — An SBP of 150 does indicate risk, but the specific response about isolated hypertension
is more precise.
NUR 612 Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Peripheral Vascular Disorders
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NUR 612 · UAB Page 1
,NUR 612 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Peripheral Vascular Disorders
1 A patient comes to the health-care provider office for a checkup. The nurse
practitioner notes that the patient is 67 years old and is presenting symptoms of
dizziness, orthopnea, and edema. The nurse practitioner begins a focused
assessment of the:
A Cardiovascular system
B Respiratory system
C Neurological system
D Reproductive system
Correct Answer: A — Dizziness, orthopnea, and edema are classic symptoms of
cardiovascular dysfunction.
B — Respiratory symptoms would include cough, dyspnea without orthopnea.
C — Neurological symptoms would include changes in mentation.
D — Reproductive symptoms would be unrelated.
, 2 The nurse practitioner knows that risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD)
include atherosclerosis. The nurse practitioner includes teaching on these factors
that can be remediated to help prevent CAD:
A Low blood pressure
B Age
C Advanced age and male gender
D Cholesterol levels and smoking
Correct Answer: D — Cholesterol levels and smoking are modifiable risk factors for CAD.
A — Low BP is not a risk factor; high BP is.
B — Age is a nonmodifiable risk factor.
C — Age and gender are nonmodifiable risk factors.
3 Mr. Thomas comes in for a health examination with his nurse practitioner. When the
nurse practitioner measures his blood pressure, the systolic is 150 mm and the
diastolic is 80 mm. When Mr. Thomas asks if that is a good pressure for him, the
nurse practitioner responds:
A It is normal for your age
B Isolated hypertension is usually identified by a systolic blood pressure (SBP) higher
than 160 mm Hg
C When evaluating blood pressure, a higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is risky
D There is a risk of a cardiovascular event for you with an SBP of 150 mm Hg
Correct Answer: B — Isolated systolic hypertension is defined as SBP >160 mm Hg with
DBP <90 mm Hg.
A — 150/80 is not normal; it is elevated.
C — Elevated SBP is more risky in older adults.
D — An SBP of 150 does indicate risk, but the specific response about isolated hypertension
is more precise.
