AACN CMC Practice Questions With Accurate Answers
100% Guarantee Pass 2026/2027
1. Describe how diastolic heart failure affects the heart's ability to fill with blood
during the relaxation phase.
Diastolic heart failure results in decreased pressure in the left ventricle,
facilitating better filling.
Diastolic heart failure causes the ventricles to dilate excessively,
allowing more blood to fill them.
Diastolic heart failure increases the contractility of the heart muscle,
improving blood flow.
Diastolic heart failure impairs the heart's ability to relax, leading to
inadequate filling of the ventricles with blood.
2. Which anticoagulant is indicated for a patient with a declining platelet count
undergoing PCI?
dalteparin (Fragmin)
bivalirudin (Angiomax)
enoxaparin (Lovenox)
alteplase (Activase)
3. Describe the significance of diminished or absent pulses in a patient with
arterial occlusion.
Diminished pulses are a sign of inflammation in the limb.
Diminished or absent pulses indicate reduced blood flow to the
extremity, suggesting severe arterial blockage.
Diminished pulses are normal and indicate good circulation.
, Absent pulses suggest the presence of a blood clot but not arterial
occlusion.
4. Describe why a cardiac index (CI) of 4.0 L/min/m is indicative of a patient
likely to be extubated successfully.
A CI of 4.0 L/min/m means the patient is on maximum ventilatory
support.
A CI of 4.0 L/min/m suggests the patient is experiencing heart failure.
A CI of 4.0 L/min/m indicates adequate cardiac output, suggesting
the patient is stable enough for extubation.
A CI of 4.0 L/min/m indicates the patient has a high risk of myocardial
infarction.
5. Which of the following best describes the purpose of Pressure Support (PS)
added to spontaneous breaths during mechanical ventilation?
to improve oxygenation
to reduce the patient's work of (spontaneous) breathing
to ensure adequate respiratory rate
to enable reducing FIO2 levels
6. What is one of the key strategies to minimize the development of Acute
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)?
lower tidal volumes and diuresis
increased plateau pressures and autologous transfusion
lower FiO2 and high PEEP
permissive hypercapnia and auto-PEEP
, 7. While caring for a patient post-CABG, the nurse notes the arterial line
waveform decreases significantly with each inspiration. The nurse should
assess for the development of which of the following complications?
atrial fibrillation
cardiac tamponade
pulmonary embolism
myocardial infarction
8. When a patient is to be switched from continuous mandatory ventilation
(CMV) to synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) to facilitate
weaning from mechanical ventilation, which of the following could be used in
addition to SIMV to assist this process?
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
Pressure Control (PC)
Pressure Support (PS)
Positive-End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
9. A patient who received heparin after a myocardial infarction presents with
new petechial spots on their legs. What should the nurse's immediate action
be?
Administer a dose of aspirin to prevent further clotting.
Document the findings and monitor the patient for 24 hours.
Assess the patient for signs of thrombocytopenia and notify the
healthcare provider.
Continue heparin therapy as prescribed.
100% Guarantee Pass 2026/2027
1. Describe how diastolic heart failure affects the heart's ability to fill with blood
during the relaxation phase.
Diastolic heart failure results in decreased pressure in the left ventricle,
facilitating better filling.
Diastolic heart failure causes the ventricles to dilate excessively,
allowing more blood to fill them.
Diastolic heart failure increases the contractility of the heart muscle,
improving blood flow.
Diastolic heart failure impairs the heart's ability to relax, leading to
inadequate filling of the ventricles with blood.
2. Which anticoagulant is indicated for a patient with a declining platelet count
undergoing PCI?
dalteparin (Fragmin)
bivalirudin (Angiomax)
enoxaparin (Lovenox)
alteplase (Activase)
3. Describe the significance of diminished or absent pulses in a patient with
arterial occlusion.
Diminished pulses are a sign of inflammation in the limb.
Diminished or absent pulses indicate reduced blood flow to the
extremity, suggesting severe arterial blockage.
Diminished pulses are normal and indicate good circulation.
, Absent pulses suggest the presence of a blood clot but not arterial
occlusion.
4. Describe why a cardiac index (CI) of 4.0 L/min/m is indicative of a patient
likely to be extubated successfully.
A CI of 4.0 L/min/m means the patient is on maximum ventilatory
support.
A CI of 4.0 L/min/m suggests the patient is experiencing heart failure.
A CI of 4.0 L/min/m indicates adequate cardiac output, suggesting
the patient is stable enough for extubation.
A CI of 4.0 L/min/m indicates the patient has a high risk of myocardial
infarction.
5. Which of the following best describes the purpose of Pressure Support (PS)
added to spontaneous breaths during mechanical ventilation?
to improve oxygenation
to reduce the patient's work of (spontaneous) breathing
to ensure adequate respiratory rate
to enable reducing FIO2 levels
6. What is one of the key strategies to minimize the development of Acute
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)?
lower tidal volumes and diuresis
increased plateau pressures and autologous transfusion
lower FiO2 and high PEEP
permissive hypercapnia and auto-PEEP
, 7. While caring for a patient post-CABG, the nurse notes the arterial line
waveform decreases significantly with each inspiration. The nurse should
assess for the development of which of the following complications?
atrial fibrillation
cardiac tamponade
pulmonary embolism
myocardial infarction
8. When a patient is to be switched from continuous mandatory ventilation
(CMV) to synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) to facilitate
weaning from mechanical ventilation, which of the following could be used in
addition to SIMV to assist this process?
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
Pressure Control (PC)
Pressure Support (PS)
Positive-End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
9. A patient who received heparin after a myocardial infarction presents with
new petechial spots on their legs. What should the nurse's immediate action
be?
Administer a dose of aspirin to prevent further clotting.
Document the findings and monitor the patient for 24 hours.
Assess the patient for signs of thrombocytopenia and notify the
healthcare provider.
Continue heparin therapy as prescribed.
