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CCRN Cardiovascular Practice
Questions & Answers 2026-2027 |
Updated Exam Review (Rationales)
Document Overview
This CCRN Cardiovascular practice resource contains 41 questions with provided correct
answers and detailed rationales, covering critical care cardiology concepts. It serves as an
essential study tool for nurses preparing for CCRN certification, offering a direct review of
key knowledge areas and reinforcing understanding through explanations. This material is
designed for effective exam preparation and comprehensive knowledge reinforcement.
100% Accurate Questions and Answers 100% Guarantee Pass - Verified by Experts
Expert-Verified
Verified Answers · 41 Questions · September 2026
CCRN Cardiovascular Practice Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Updated Exam Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
, Topics Covered
Section 1: Myocardial Infarction & Complications Q 1-11
Questions covering myocardial Infarction & Complications concepts.
Section 2: ECG Interpretation & Arrhythmias Q 12-25
Questions covering eCG Interpretation & Arrhythmias concepts.
Section 3: Hemodynamics & Monitoring Q 26-40
Questions covering hemodynamics & Monitoring concepts.
Section 4: Valvular Heart Disease & Physiology Q 41
Questions covering valvular Heart Disease & Physiology concepts.
Questions
QUESTION 1 OF 41
A patient is in cardiac and respiratory arrest. The selection of medications to
reestablish cardiac function would stimulate the sympathetic nervous system beta1
receptors. This stimulation would result in increased automaticity and which of the
following?
a. Increased myocardial contractility
b. Decreased left ventricular stroke work
c. Decreased myocardial oxygen consumption
d. Increased left ventricular afterload
Correct Answer: Correct answer: a
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system contains alpha, beta, and dopaminergic receptors that produce
various responses when stimulated. Stimulation of beta1 receptors increases heart rate, conductivity, and
myocardial contractility. Stimulation of beta2 receptors produces vasodilation and bronchodilation. Alpha
receptors, when stimulated,
produce vasoconstriction. Stimulation of dopaminergic receptors produces a vasodilating
effect on renal, mesenteric, coronary, and cerebral vessels.
Test-Taking Strategy: Note the helpful clue in the stem: stimulate the sympathetic system and recall that this
results in a fight-or-flight response—the body is responding to survive. Stroke volume would increase, so
eliminate option b. Afterload would increase, but this is due to alpha stimulation, not beta1 stimulation, so
eliminate option d. Because the heart is working faster and harder, the myocardial oxygen consumption does
increase, so eliminate option c. Remember that the primary effects of beta1 receptors are to increase heart
rate, contractility, and rate of conduction. Choose option a. A memory aid that also may help is this: beta 1
beta 2, 1 heart 2 lungs: beta1 affects the heart, and beta2 affects the lungs.
CCRN Cardiovascular Practice Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Updated Exam Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
, QUESTION 2 OF 41
An S4 is an expected physical finding in which of the following?
a. Acute myocardial infarction
b. Left ventricular failure
c. Pericarditis
d. Bundle branch block
Correct Answer: Correct answer: a
Rationale: An S4 is an indication of ventricular noncompliance. Noncompliance is caused by ischemia,
infarction, hypertrophy, cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, or restrictive cardiomyopathy. Left
ventricular failure would cause an S3. Pericarditis would cause a pericardial friction rub. Bundle branch
blocks cause splits (left bundle branch block causes a paradoxical split of S2, and right bundle branch block
causes a split of S1 and
increased splitting of S2 during inspiration).
Test-Taking Strategy: Read the question carefully and note the key word expected. Associate S4 with a
noncompliant ventricle. Ischemia, infarction, and hypertrophy cause noncompliance. Choose option a.
QUESTION 3 OF 41
A patient is admitted with unstable angina. He has a long history of hypertension and
coronary artery disease. The nurse notes a split S2 on expiration and a single S2 on
inspiration during cardiac auscultation. Blood pressure is 150/88 mm Hg, and heart
rate is 88 beats/min. On the electrocardiogram, there is a normal-appearing P wave in
front of each QRS complex, the PR interval measures 0.2 second consistently, and the
QRS complexes measure 0.14 second. They are positive in V5 and V6 and negative in V1
and V2. These findings most likely indicate which of the following?
a. Left bundle branch block (LBBB)
b. Right bundle branch block (RBBB)
c. Third-degree atrioventricular block
d. Ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: Correct answer: a
Rationale: Features of LBBB described here are a QRS complex greater than 0.12 second in duration and a
QRS complex that is positive in leads V5 and V6 (consider these left ventricular leads) and negative in leads
V1 and V2 (consider these right ventricular leads). LBBB causes a paradoxical splitting of S2. This means that
it is split on expiration but not on inspiration. This is paradoxical because it is opposite of a normal
physiologic split of S2, which is split on inspiration but not split on expiration.
Test-Taking Strategy: A P wave precedes each QRS complex, so eliminate ventricular tachycardia, option d. A
P wave occurs for each QRS complex, and the PR interval is consistent, so eliminate third-degree
atrioventricular block, option c. The problem is a bundle branch block because it originates above the
ventricle (note normal and consistent P waves), but the QRS complex is wide, indicating that the impulse is
taking longer than normal to travel through the ventricle. Is the block left or right? Remember that the wide
QRS complex will be upright in leads V1 and V2 if it is RBBB but upright in leads V5 and V6 if it is LBBB.
Also, in looking at lead V1, if there is an associated P wave but the QRS complex is wide and upright, it is
RBBB. If the QRS complex is wide and negative, it is LBBB. Choose option a.
CCRN Cardiovascular Practice Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Updated Exam Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
CCRN Cardiovascular Practice
Questions & Answers 2026-2027 |
Updated Exam Review (Rationales)
Document Overview
This CCRN Cardiovascular practice resource contains 41 questions with provided correct
answers and detailed rationales, covering critical care cardiology concepts. It serves as an
essential study tool for nurses preparing for CCRN certification, offering a direct review of
key knowledge areas and reinforcing understanding through explanations. This material is
designed for effective exam preparation and comprehensive knowledge reinforcement.
100% Accurate Questions and Answers 100% Guarantee Pass - Verified by Experts
Expert-Verified
Verified Answers · 41 Questions · September 2026
CCRN Cardiovascular Practice Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Updated Exam Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
, Topics Covered
Section 1: Myocardial Infarction & Complications Q 1-11
Questions covering myocardial Infarction & Complications concepts.
Section 2: ECG Interpretation & Arrhythmias Q 12-25
Questions covering eCG Interpretation & Arrhythmias concepts.
Section 3: Hemodynamics & Monitoring Q 26-40
Questions covering hemodynamics & Monitoring concepts.
Section 4: Valvular Heart Disease & Physiology Q 41
Questions covering valvular Heart Disease & Physiology concepts.
Questions
QUESTION 1 OF 41
A patient is in cardiac and respiratory arrest. The selection of medications to
reestablish cardiac function would stimulate the sympathetic nervous system beta1
receptors. This stimulation would result in increased automaticity and which of the
following?
a. Increased myocardial contractility
b. Decreased left ventricular stroke work
c. Decreased myocardial oxygen consumption
d. Increased left ventricular afterload
Correct Answer: Correct answer: a
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system contains alpha, beta, and dopaminergic receptors that produce
various responses when stimulated. Stimulation of beta1 receptors increases heart rate, conductivity, and
myocardial contractility. Stimulation of beta2 receptors produces vasodilation and bronchodilation. Alpha
receptors, when stimulated,
produce vasoconstriction. Stimulation of dopaminergic receptors produces a vasodilating
effect on renal, mesenteric, coronary, and cerebral vessels.
Test-Taking Strategy: Note the helpful clue in the stem: stimulate the sympathetic system and recall that this
results in a fight-or-flight response—the body is responding to survive. Stroke volume would increase, so
eliminate option b. Afterload would increase, but this is due to alpha stimulation, not beta1 stimulation, so
eliminate option d. Because the heart is working faster and harder, the myocardial oxygen consumption does
increase, so eliminate option c. Remember that the primary effects of beta1 receptors are to increase heart
rate, contractility, and rate of conduction. Choose option a. A memory aid that also may help is this: beta 1
beta 2, 1 heart 2 lungs: beta1 affects the heart, and beta2 affects the lungs.
CCRN Cardiovascular Practice Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Updated Exam Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
, QUESTION 2 OF 41
An S4 is an expected physical finding in which of the following?
a. Acute myocardial infarction
b. Left ventricular failure
c. Pericarditis
d. Bundle branch block
Correct Answer: Correct answer: a
Rationale: An S4 is an indication of ventricular noncompliance. Noncompliance is caused by ischemia,
infarction, hypertrophy, cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, or restrictive cardiomyopathy. Left
ventricular failure would cause an S3. Pericarditis would cause a pericardial friction rub. Bundle branch
blocks cause splits (left bundle branch block causes a paradoxical split of S2, and right bundle branch block
causes a split of S1 and
increased splitting of S2 during inspiration).
Test-Taking Strategy: Read the question carefully and note the key word expected. Associate S4 with a
noncompliant ventricle. Ischemia, infarction, and hypertrophy cause noncompliance. Choose option a.
QUESTION 3 OF 41
A patient is admitted with unstable angina. He has a long history of hypertension and
coronary artery disease. The nurse notes a split S2 on expiration and a single S2 on
inspiration during cardiac auscultation. Blood pressure is 150/88 mm Hg, and heart
rate is 88 beats/min. On the electrocardiogram, there is a normal-appearing P wave in
front of each QRS complex, the PR interval measures 0.2 second consistently, and the
QRS complexes measure 0.14 second. They are positive in V5 and V6 and negative in V1
and V2. These findings most likely indicate which of the following?
a. Left bundle branch block (LBBB)
b. Right bundle branch block (RBBB)
c. Third-degree atrioventricular block
d. Ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: Correct answer: a
Rationale: Features of LBBB described here are a QRS complex greater than 0.12 second in duration and a
QRS complex that is positive in leads V5 and V6 (consider these left ventricular leads) and negative in leads
V1 and V2 (consider these right ventricular leads). LBBB causes a paradoxical splitting of S2. This means that
it is split on expiration but not on inspiration. This is paradoxical because it is opposite of a normal
physiologic split of S2, which is split on inspiration but not split on expiration.
Test-Taking Strategy: A P wave precedes each QRS complex, so eliminate ventricular tachycardia, option d. A
P wave occurs for each QRS complex, and the PR interval is consistent, so eliminate third-degree
atrioventricular block, option c. The problem is a bundle branch block because it originates above the
ventricle (note normal and consistent P waves), but the QRS complex is wide, indicating that the impulse is
taking longer than normal to travel through the ventricle. Is the block left or right? Remember that the wide
QRS complex will be upright in leads V1 and V2 if it is RBBB but upright in leads V5 and V6 if it is LBBB.
Also, in looking at lead V1, if there is an associated P wave but the QRS complex is wide and upright, it is
RBBB. If the QRS complex is wide and negative, it is LBBB. Choose option a.
CCRN Cardiovascular Practice Questions & Answers 2026-2027 | Updated Exam Review (Rationales) - Practice Questions Page 0
