NURS 8020C CARDIAC LAB QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF
CORE DOMAINS
Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
Cardiac Assessment Techniques
Electrocardiogram Interpretation
Cardiac Disorders and Pathophysiology
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Patient Education and Management
Legal, Regulatory, and Ethical Considerations
Advanced Practice Nursing Decision-Making
Introduction
This examination is designed to evaluate the advanced practice nursing student’s
mastery of cardiac assessment and clinical decision-making within the NURS 8020C
cardiac laboratory context. It assesses foundational cardiovascular theory, applied
physical examination skills, electrocardiogram interpretation, and the integration of
evidence-based practice. The examination employs multiple-choice and scenario-based
formats to simulate real-world clinical encounters. Emphasis is placed on diagnostic
reasoning, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and ethical professional standards.
Successful performance demonstrates readiness for advanced cardiac assessment in
diverse clinical settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–300
,1. A patient presents with a blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg. According to the American
Heart Association guidelines, this reading is classified as:
A. Normal
B. Elevated
C. Stage 1 hypertension
D. Stage 2 hypertension
✔✔ C. Stage 1 hypertension
RATIONALE: A systolic pressure of 148 mmHg falls within the Stage 1 hypertension
range (130–139 mmHg) and diastolic pressure of 92 mmHg also falls within Stage 1 (80–
89 mmHg), confirming Stage 1 hypertension according to AHA criteria.
2. During auscultation of the heart, the S1 heart sound is best described as:
A. Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
B. Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
C. Opening of the atrioventricular valves
D. Rapid ventricular filling
✔✔ B. Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
RATIONALE: S1 represents the closure of the mitral and tricuspid (atrioventricular)
valves at the onset of ventricular systole.
3. Which cardiac biomarker is most specific for myocardial injury and rises earliest
after an acute myocardial infarction?
A. Creatine kinase-MB
B. Myoglobin
,C. Troponin I
D. Lactate dehydrogenase
✔✔ C. Troponin I
RATIONALE: Cardiac troponin I is highly specific to myocardial tissue and is the
preferred biomarker for detecting myocardial injury, with elevations occurring within 3–
6 hours of symptom onset.
4. A patient with a history of heart failure reports a new onset of paroxysmal nocturnal
dyspnea. The advanced practice nurse recognizes this finding as most consistent with:
A. Left-sided heart failure
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Cor pulmonale
D. Pericardial effusion
✔✔ A. Left-sided heart failure
RATIONALE: Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is a classic manifestation of left-sided
heart failure resulting from pulmonary congestion when the patient reclines.
5. When performing a cardiac assessment, the point of maximal impulse is typically
palpated at the:
A. Second intercostal space at the right sternal border
B. Third intercostal space at the left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D. Sixth intercostal space at the anterior axillary line
✔✔ C. Fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
, RATIONALE: The point of maximal impulse, representing the apical beat, is normally
located at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line in adults.
6. A patient is prescribed atorvastatin. The advanced practice nurse should include
which instruction in patient education?
A. Take the medication in the morning with breakfast
B. Report unexplained muscle pain or weakness immediately
C. Avoid all dairy products while taking this medication
D. Discontinue the medication if headache occurs
✔✔ B. Report unexplained muscle pain or weakness immediately
RATIONALE: Statins can cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis; prompt reporting of
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness is essential for early intervention.
7. Which electrocardiogram finding is most characteristic of hyperkalemia?
A. Prolonged QT interval
B. Prominent U waves
C. Peaked T waves
D. Delta waves
✔✔ C. Peaked T waves
RATIONALE: Hyperkalemia produces tall, peaked, narrow-based T waves as the
earliest and most characteristic ECG manifestation.
8. A patient with atrial fibrillation is at increased risk for which complication?
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
CORE DOMAINS
Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
Cardiac Assessment Techniques
Electrocardiogram Interpretation
Cardiac Disorders and Pathophysiology
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Patient Education and Management
Legal, Regulatory, and Ethical Considerations
Advanced Practice Nursing Decision-Making
Introduction
This examination is designed to evaluate the advanced practice nursing student’s
mastery of cardiac assessment and clinical decision-making within the NURS 8020C
cardiac laboratory context. It assesses foundational cardiovascular theory, applied
physical examination skills, electrocardiogram interpretation, and the integration of
evidence-based practice. The examination employs multiple-choice and scenario-based
formats to simulate real-world clinical encounters. Emphasis is placed on diagnostic
reasoning, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and ethical professional standards.
Successful performance demonstrates readiness for advanced cardiac assessment in
diverse clinical settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–300
,1. A patient presents with a blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg. According to the American
Heart Association guidelines, this reading is classified as:
A. Normal
B. Elevated
C. Stage 1 hypertension
D. Stage 2 hypertension
✔✔ C. Stage 1 hypertension
RATIONALE: A systolic pressure of 148 mmHg falls within the Stage 1 hypertension
range (130–139 mmHg) and diastolic pressure of 92 mmHg also falls within Stage 1 (80–
89 mmHg), confirming Stage 1 hypertension according to AHA criteria.
2. During auscultation of the heart, the S1 heart sound is best described as:
A. Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
B. Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
C. Opening of the atrioventricular valves
D. Rapid ventricular filling
✔✔ B. Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
RATIONALE: S1 represents the closure of the mitral and tricuspid (atrioventricular)
valves at the onset of ventricular systole.
3. Which cardiac biomarker is most specific for myocardial injury and rises earliest
after an acute myocardial infarction?
A. Creatine kinase-MB
B. Myoglobin
,C. Troponin I
D. Lactate dehydrogenase
✔✔ C. Troponin I
RATIONALE: Cardiac troponin I is highly specific to myocardial tissue and is the
preferred biomarker for detecting myocardial injury, with elevations occurring within 3–
6 hours of symptom onset.
4. A patient with a history of heart failure reports a new onset of paroxysmal nocturnal
dyspnea. The advanced practice nurse recognizes this finding as most consistent with:
A. Left-sided heart failure
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Cor pulmonale
D. Pericardial effusion
✔✔ A. Left-sided heart failure
RATIONALE: Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is a classic manifestation of left-sided
heart failure resulting from pulmonary congestion when the patient reclines.
5. When performing a cardiac assessment, the point of maximal impulse is typically
palpated at the:
A. Second intercostal space at the right sternal border
B. Third intercostal space at the left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D. Sixth intercostal space at the anterior axillary line
✔✔ C. Fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
, RATIONALE: The point of maximal impulse, representing the apical beat, is normally
located at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line in adults.
6. A patient is prescribed atorvastatin. The advanced practice nurse should include
which instruction in patient education?
A. Take the medication in the morning with breakfast
B. Report unexplained muscle pain or weakness immediately
C. Avoid all dairy products while taking this medication
D. Discontinue the medication if headache occurs
✔✔ B. Report unexplained muscle pain or weakness immediately
RATIONALE: Statins can cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis; prompt reporting of
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness is essential for early intervention.
7. Which electrocardiogram finding is most characteristic of hyperkalemia?
A. Prolonged QT interval
B. Prominent U waves
C. Peaked T waves
D. Delta waves
✔✔ C. Peaked T waves
RATIONALE: Hyperkalemia produces tall, peaked, narrow-based T waves as the
earliest and most characteristic ECG manifestation.
8. A patient with atrial fibrillation is at increased risk for which complication?
