BKAT 9R EXAM PREPARATION 2026/2027: COMPREHENSIVE 200-
QUESTION PRACTICE BANK WITH RANDOMIZED ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
1. Initial measures for the treatment of angina pectoris do not include
which response below?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Aspirin
C. Beta Blockers
D. Oxygen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Beta blockers are not considered an initial emergency
measure for acute angina. Initial treatment focuses on rest, oxygen,
nitrates, and antiplatelet therapy (aspirin) to reduce myocardial oxygen
demand and prevent clot formation.
2. The classical ECG change with muscle injury in acute myocardial
infarction is:
A. ST segment elevation
B. T wave inversion
C. Pathological Q waves
D. ST segment depression
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ST segment elevation indicates acute transmural myocardial
injury. T wave inversion and Q waves typically develop later or represent
ischemia/necrosis.
,3. Elevated cardiac iso-enzymes generally do not occur in which
response below?
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Congestive heart failure (CHF)
C. Myocarditis
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiac enzymes (troponin, CK-MB) are released due to
myocardial necrosis. CHF alone, without an acute ischemic event, does
not typically cause elevated cardiac iso-enzymes.
4. The major therapeutic goal in the treatment of cardiogenic shock is
to:
A. Decrease heart rate
B. Increase cardiac output
C. Increase systemic vascular resistance
D. Decrease preload
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock is characterized by pump failure. The
primary goal is to improve cardiac output and tissue perfusion using
inotropes, vasopressors, and mechanical support.
5. You receive orders to start nitroprusside and dobutamine in your
patient with end-stage cardiomyopathy. How will this tx regimen
affect CO?
A. Increases preload and afterload
B. Reduces preload and afterload and improves contractility
C. Reduces contractility and increases afterload
D. Increases preload and reduces afterload
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Nitroprusside is a vasodilator that reduces preload and
afterload. Dobutamine is an inotrope that improves contractility.
Together they optimize cardiac output.
6. In dealing with a depressed pt during the first days post AMI the
most appropriate nursing action would be:
A. Encourage the patient to ventilate his/her concerns
B. Administer antidepressants immediately
C. Restrict visitors to prevent fatigue
D. Avoid discussing the prognosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Encouraging ventilation of concerns allows the patient to
process the psychological impact of the MI, which is a normal and
expected reaction in the early post-MI period.
7. Mr Seamore is receiving thrombolytics (TPA) 3 hrs after an AMI.
Which of the following would most likely require discontinuing the
infusion?
A. Change in mental status
B. Blood pressure 140/90
C. Sinus tachycardia
D. Mild nausea
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A change in mental status is a red flag for intracranial
hemorrhage, a severe complication of thrombolytic therapy that
requires immediate discontinuation and further evaluation.
8. The following monitor pattern would indicate that the pulmonary
artery (swan ganz) catheter is in which position?
A. Right ventricle
, B. Pulmonary artery occlusion (wedge)
C. Right atrium
D. Superior vena cava
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pulmonary artery occlusion (wedge) position is
characterized by a distinctive waveform with a balloon inflation that
stops blood flow, reflecting left atrial pressure.
9. A systolic murmur that is auscultated at the 2nd intercostal space,
right sternal border is called:
A. Mitral stenosis
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Pulmonic stenosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The aortic valve is best auscultated at the second intercostal
space at the right sternal border. Aortic stenosis presents as a systolic
murmur in this area.
10. Which of the following wave patterns indicates proper functioning
of an arterial line?
A. High to low
B. Low to high
C. Biphasic
D. Dampened
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A properly functioning arterial line produces a characteristic
high-to-low (systolic to diastolic) waveform reflecting arterial pressure
dynamics.
QUESTION PRACTICE BANK WITH RANDOMIZED ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
1. Initial measures for the treatment of angina pectoris do not include
which response below?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Aspirin
C. Beta Blockers
D. Oxygen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Beta blockers are not considered an initial emergency
measure for acute angina. Initial treatment focuses on rest, oxygen,
nitrates, and antiplatelet therapy (aspirin) to reduce myocardial oxygen
demand and prevent clot formation.
2. The classical ECG change with muscle injury in acute myocardial
infarction is:
A. ST segment elevation
B. T wave inversion
C. Pathological Q waves
D. ST segment depression
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ST segment elevation indicates acute transmural myocardial
injury. T wave inversion and Q waves typically develop later or represent
ischemia/necrosis.
,3. Elevated cardiac iso-enzymes generally do not occur in which
response below?
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Congestive heart failure (CHF)
C. Myocarditis
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiac enzymes (troponin, CK-MB) are released due to
myocardial necrosis. CHF alone, without an acute ischemic event, does
not typically cause elevated cardiac iso-enzymes.
4. The major therapeutic goal in the treatment of cardiogenic shock is
to:
A. Decrease heart rate
B. Increase cardiac output
C. Increase systemic vascular resistance
D. Decrease preload
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock is characterized by pump failure. The
primary goal is to improve cardiac output and tissue perfusion using
inotropes, vasopressors, and mechanical support.
5. You receive orders to start nitroprusside and dobutamine in your
patient with end-stage cardiomyopathy. How will this tx regimen
affect CO?
A. Increases preload and afterload
B. Reduces preload and afterload and improves contractility
C. Reduces contractility and increases afterload
D. Increases preload and reduces afterload
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Nitroprusside is a vasodilator that reduces preload and
afterload. Dobutamine is an inotrope that improves contractility.
Together they optimize cardiac output.
6. In dealing with a depressed pt during the first days post AMI the
most appropriate nursing action would be:
A. Encourage the patient to ventilate his/her concerns
B. Administer antidepressants immediately
C. Restrict visitors to prevent fatigue
D. Avoid discussing the prognosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Encouraging ventilation of concerns allows the patient to
process the psychological impact of the MI, which is a normal and
expected reaction in the early post-MI period.
7. Mr Seamore is receiving thrombolytics (TPA) 3 hrs after an AMI.
Which of the following would most likely require discontinuing the
infusion?
A. Change in mental status
B. Blood pressure 140/90
C. Sinus tachycardia
D. Mild nausea
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A change in mental status is a red flag for intracranial
hemorrhage, a severe complication of thrombolytic therapy that
requires immediate discontinuation and further evaluation.
8. The following monitor pattern would indicate that the pulmonary
artery (swan ganz) catheter is in which position?
A. Right ventricle
, B. Pulmonary artery occlusion (wedge)
C. Right atrium
D. Superior vena cava
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pulmonary artery occlusion (wedge) position is
characterized by a distinctive waveform with a balloon inflation that
stops blood flow, reflecting left atrial pressure.
9. A systolic murmur that is auscultated at the 2nd intercostal space,
right sternal border is called:
A. Mitral stenosis
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Pulmonic stenosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The aortic valve is best auscultated at the second intercostal
space at the right sternal border. Aortic stenosis presents as a systolic
murmur in this area.
10. Which of the following wave patterns indicates proper functioning
of an arterial line?
A. High to low
B. Low to high
C. Biphasic
D. Dampened
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A properly functioning arterial line produces a characteristic
high-to-low (systolic to diastolic) waveform reflecting arterial pressure
dynamics.
