,FNP 591 Week 3 APEA QBank Quiz | Cardiovascular
(2026) Q&A | USU
1. A 55-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents with a sudden onset of severe,
tearing chest pain radiating to the back. His blood pressure is 180/100 mmHg in the right arm
and 140/90 mmHg in the left arm. Which condition is most likely?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Aortic dissection
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B) Aortic dissection
Rationale: Aortic dissection presents with sudden, severe tearing chest pain radiating to the
back, often with a blood pressure differential between arms. This is a surgical emergency
requiring immediate CT angiography.
2. A 65-year-old female presents with exertional chest pain relieved by rest. Her EKG is
normal at rest. Which test is most appropriate for initial diagnosis?
A) Cardiac catheterization
B) Exercise stress test
C) CT coronary angiogram
D) Resting echocardiogram
Correct Answer: B) Exercise stress test
Rationale: Stable angina is diagnosed with exercise stress testing to demonstrate inducible
ischemia. A normal resting EKG does not exclude coronary artery disease.
3. Which medication listed below could potentially exacerbate heart failure in a susceptible
patient?
,A) Metoprolol
B) Furosemide
C) Lisinopril
D) Spironolactone
Correct Answer: A) Metoprolol
Rationale: Beta-blockers like metoprolol can exacerbate heart failure in susceptible patients
due to their negative inotropic effects, especially if initiated at high doses or in
decompensated states.
4. A patient with aortic stenosis has been asymptomatic for decades. On routine exam, he
reports dizziness with activity but no chest pain or shortness of breath. What is the best
course of action?
A) Monitor closely for worsening status
B) Assess carotid arteries for bruits
C) Consider a non-cardiac etiology for dizziness
D) Refer to cardiology
Correct Answer: D) Refer to cardiology
Rationale: Dizziness signals the onset of symptoms in aortic stenosis, warranting urgent
cardiology referral due to rapid progression risk.
5. What is a common early finding in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation?
A) Atrial fibrillation
B) Pulmonary congestion
C) Low systolic blood pressure
D) Hypertrophied left ventricle
Correct Answer: D) Hypertrophied left ventricle
, Rationale: Left ventricular hypertrophy occurs as the heart compensates for regurgitant flow
in chronic aortic regurgitation.
6. Which mitral disorder results from redundancy of the mitral valve's leaflets?
A) Acute mitral regurgitation
B) Chronic mitral regurgitation
C) Mitral valve prolapse
D) Mitral stenosis
Correct Answer: C) Mitral valve prolapse
Rationale: Mitral valve prolapse stems from excess leaflet tissue, leading to redundancy and
prolapse into the left atrium during systole.
7. The valve most commonly involved in chronic rheumatic heart disease is:
A) Aortic
B) Mitral
C) Pulmonic
D) Tricuspid
Correct Answer: B) Mitral
Rationale: The mitral valve is most affected by rheumatic fever sequelae, leading to stenosis
or regurgitation.
8. The usual clinical course of mitral valve prolapse is:
A) Progressive and disabling
B) Benign
C) Associated with high mortality
(2026) Q&A | USU
1. A 55-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents with a sudden onset of severe,
tearing chest pain radiating to the back. His blood pressure is 180/100 mmHg in the right arm
and 140/90 mmHg in the left arm. Which condition is most likely?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Aortic dissection
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B) Aortic dissection
Rationale: Aortic dissection presents with sudden, severe tearing chest pain radiating to the
back, often with a blood pressure differential between arms. This is a surgical emergency
requiring immediate CT angiography.
2. A 65-year-old female presents with exertional chest pain relieved by rest. Her EKG is
normal at rest. Which test is most appropriate for initial diagnosis?
A) Cardiac catheterization
B) Exercise stress test
C) CT coronary angiogram
D) Resting echocardiogram
Correct Answer: B) Exercise stress test
Rationale: Stable angina is diagnosed with exercise stress testing to demonstrate inducible
ischemia. A normal resting EKG does not exclude coronary artery disease.
3. Which medication listed below could potentially exacerbate heart failure in a susceptible
patient?
,A) Metoprolol
B) Furosemide
C) Lisinopril
D) Spironolactone
Correct Answer: A) Metoprolol
Rationale: Beta-blockers like metoprolol can exacerbate heart failure in susceptible patients
due to their negative inotropic effects, especially if initiated at high doses or in
decompensated states.
4. A patient with aortic stenosis has been asymptomatic for decades. On routine exam, he
reports dizziness with activity but no chest pain or shortness of breath. What is the best
course of action?
A) Monitor closely for worsening status
B) Assess carotid arteries for bruits
C) Consider a non-cardiac etiology for dizziness
D) Refer to cardiology
Correct Answer: D) Refer to cardiology
Rationale: Dizziness signals the onset of symptoms in aortic stenosis, warranting urgent
cardiology referral due to rapid progression risk.
5. What is a common early finding in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation?
A) Atrial fibrillation
B) Pulmonary congestion
C) Low systolic blood pressure
D) Hypertrophied left ventricle
Correct Answer: D) Hypertrophied left ventricle
, Rationale: Left ventricular hypertrophy occurs as the heart compensates for regurgitant flow
in chronic aortic regurgitation.
6. Which mitral disorder results from redundancy of the mitral valve's leaflets?
A) Acute mitral regurgitation
B) Chronic mitral regurgitation
C) Mitral valve prolapse
D) Mitral stenosis
Correct Answer: C) Mitral valve prolapse
Rationale: Mitral valve prolapse stems from excess leaflet tissue, leading to redundancy and
prolapse into the left atrium during systole.
7. The valve most commonly involved in chronic rheumatic heart disease is:
A) Aortic
B) Mitral
C) Pulmonic
D) Tricuspid
Correct Answer: B) Mitral
Rationale: The mitral valve is most affected by rheumatic fever sequelae, leading to stenosis
or regurgitation.
8. The usual clinical course of mitral valve prolapse is:
A) Progressive and disabling
B) Benign
C) Associated with high mortality
