NSG 3130 Exam 4 Fundamental Concepts and Skills for
Nursing Practice II | Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200
Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | Verified
Answers with Rationales | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM AND TISSUE PERFUSION (Questions 1–40)
1. A client's hemodynamic readings show a central venous pressure (CVP) of 7 mm Hg and a pulmonary
artery wedge pressure (PAWP) of 17 mm Hg. Which clinical signs are most likely to be present?
A. Decreased urine output and peripheral edema
B. Bilateral crackles in lungs and jugular vein distension
C. Dry cough and diminished breath sounds
D. Hypotension and tachycardia
Answer: B
Explanation: Elevated PAWP and CVP suggest volume overload/heart failure affecting both left and right
sides → pulmonary congestion (crackles) and venous congestion (JVD).
2. What are the components of the heart?
A. The lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen
B. The pump, the electrical system, the vascular system, and the blood volume
C. The atria, ventricles, valves, and nerves only
D. The arteries, veins, capillaries, and plasma
Answer: B
Explanation: The components of the heart include the pump (myocardium), the electrical system
(conduction pathways), the vascular system (coronary arteries and veins), and the blood volume.
,3. What is the significance of serum lipid levels?
A. They measure kidney function only
B. Fats can clog blood vessels and decrease blood flow; LDL should be less than 130, HDL greater than 45
in males and 55 in females, total cholesterol less than 200, and triglycerides less than 160 in males and
135 in females
C. They determine blood type
D. They measure oxygencarrying capacity
Answer: B
Explanation: Elevated lipid levels increase the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Monitoring lipid panels guides risk reduction strategies.
4. Why are serum electrolytes important in cardiac function?
A. They determine blood type
B. They can affect the conduction of the heart
C. They increase hemoglobin production
D. They reduce blood pressure directly
Answer: B
Explanation: Electrolyte imbalances (especially potassium, calcium, and magnesium) can interfere with
the heart's electrical conduction system, potentially causing dysrhythmias.
5. What is hemoglobin?
,A. A clotting protein in plasma
B. An ironcontaining protein in red blood cells that reversibly binds oxygen
C. A hormone produced by the kidneys
D. A white blood cell protein
Answer: B
Explanation: Hemoglobin is the ironcontaining protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting
oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
6. Creatinine kinase and troponin levels are elevated in a patient. What does this indicate?
A. Liver failure
B. Cardiac cell death, usually indicating a myocardial infarction
C. Kidney disease
D. Respiratory infection
Answer: B
Explanation: Creatinine kinase (CKMB) and troponin are cardiac biomarkers released when heart muscle
cells are damaged, typically during a myocardial infarction.
7. What is preload?
A. The resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood
B. The amount of blood and pressure in the ventricle at the end of diastole
C. The heart rate multiplied by stroke volume
D. The pressure in the pulmonary artery
, Answer: B
Explanation: Preload is the amount of blood and pressure in the ventricle at the end of diastole. It
increases with increased blood volume (e.g., fluid overload).
8. What is afterload?
A. The amount of blood in the ventricle before contraction
B. The resistance that must be exceeded for the ventricle to eject blood during systole
C. The heart rate multiplied by stroke volume
D. The pressure in the left atrium
Answer: B
Explanation: Afterload is the resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood. It increases with
hypertension or vasoconstriction.
9. How is cardiac output calculated?
A. Heart rate + stroke volume
B. Heart rate × stroke volume
C. Stroke volume ÷ heart rate
D. Blood pressure × heart rate
Answer: B
Explanation: Cardiac output (CO) is the product of heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV). CO = HR × SV.
Nursing Practice II | Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200
Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | Verified
Answers with Rationales | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM AND TISSUE PERFUSION (Questions 1–40)
1. A client's hemodynamic readings show a central venous pressure (CVP) of 7 mm Hg and a pulmonary
artery wedge pressure (PAWP) of 17 mm Hg. Which clinical signs are most likely to be present?
A. Decreased urine output and peripheral edema
B. Bilateral crackles in lungs and jugular vein distension
C. Dry cough and diminished breath sounds
D. Hypotension and tachycardia
Answer: B
Explanation: Elevated PAWP and CVP suggest volume overload/heart failure affecting both left and right
sides → pulmonary congestion (crackles) and venous congestion (JVD).
2. What are the components of the heart?
A. The lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen
B. The pump, the electrical system, the vascular system, and the blood volume
C. The atria, ventricles, valves, and nerves only
D. The arteries, veins, capillaries, and plasma
Answer: B
Explanation: The components of the heart include the pump (myocardium), the electrical system
(conduction pathways), the vascular system (coronary arteries and veins), and the blood volume.
,3. What is the significance of serum lipid levels?
A. They measure kidney function only
B. Fats can clog blood vessels and decrease blood flow; LDL should be less than 130, HDL greater than 45
in males and 55 in females, total cholesterol less than 200, and triglycerides less than 160 in males and
135 in females
C. They determine blood type
D. They measure oxygencarrying capacity
Answer: B
Explanation: Elevated lipid levels increase the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Monitoring lipid panels guides risk reduction strategies.
4. Why are serum electrolytes important in cardiac function?
A. They determine blood type
B. They can affect the conduction of the heart
C. They increase hemoglobin production
D. They reduce blood pressure directly
Answer: B
Explanation: Electrolyte imbalances (especially potassium, calcium, and magnesium) can interfere with
the heart's electrical conduction system, potentially causing dysrhythmias.
5. What is hemoglobin?
,A. A clotting protein in plasma
B. An ironcontaining protein in red blood cells that reversibly binds oxygen
C. A hormone produced by the kidneys
D. A white blood cell protein
Answer: B
Explanation: Hemoglobin is the ironcontaining protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting
oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
6. Creatinine kinase and troponin levels are elevated in a patient. What does this indicate?
A. Liver failure
B. Cardiac cell death, usually indicating a myocardial infarction
C. Kidney disease
D. Respiratory infection
Answer: B
Explanation: Creatinine kinase (CKMB) and troponin are cardiac biomarkers released when heart muscle
cells are damaged, typically during a myocardial infarction.
7. What is preload?
A. The resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood
B. The amount of blood and pressure in the ventricle at the end of diastole
C. The heart rate multiplied by stroke volume
D. The pressure in the pulmonary artery
, Answer: B
Explanation: Preload is the amount of blood and pressure in the ventricle at the end of diastole. It
increases with increased blood volume (e.g., fluid overload).
8. What is afterload?
A. The amount of blood in the ventricle before contraction
B. The resistance that must be exceeded for the ventricle to eject blood during systole
C. The heart rate multiplied by stroke volume
D. The pressure in the left atrium
Answer: B
Explanation: Afterload is the resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood. It increases with
hypertension or vasoconstriction.
9. How is cardiac output calculated?
A. Heart rate + stroke volume
B. Heart rate × stroke volume
C. Stroke volume ÷ heart rate
D. Blood pressure × heart rate
Answer: B
Explanation: Cardiac output (CO) is the product of heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV). CO = HR × SV.
