NCLEX-Style Questions on Cardiovascular Disorders
Question 1
A patient presents with chest pain and is diagnosed with angina pectoris. Which medication is
most commonly prescribed to manage this condition?
• A) Aspirin
• B) Nitroglycerin
• C) Metoprolol
• D) Lisinopril
Answer: B) Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a nitrate that dilates coronary arteries and helps relieve angina pain.
Aspirin is used for its antiplatelet effects, while metoprolol and lisinopril are for long-term
management of cardiovascular conditions.
Question 2
Which laboratory test is most indicative of myocardial infarction?
• A) Troponin I
• B) Creatinine
• C) Blood glucose
• D) C-reactive protein
Answer: A) Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is a protein released when the heart muscle is damaged, making it a
specific marker for myocardial infarction.
Question 3
A nurse is educating a patient about lifestyle changes to prevent cardiovascular disease. Which
of the following statements by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
• A) "I will start exercising at least 30 minutes a day."
• B) "I will reduce my sodium intake."
• C) "I can still eat fried foods occasionally."
• D) "I will quit smoking."
,Answer: C) "I can still eat fried foods occasionally."
Rationale: Fried foods can increase cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk. Patients should be
encouraged to avoid them altogether.
Question 4
A 60-year-old male patient presents with shortness of breath and a history of hypertension.
Which assessment finding is most concerning for heart failure?
• A) Clear lung sounds
• B) Elevated jugular venous pressure
• C) Regular heart rhythm
• D) Peripheral edema
Answer: B) Elevated jugular venous pressure
Rationale: Elevated jugular venous pressure indicates fluid overload, which is a common sign of
heart failure.
Question 5
Which of the following is a common side effect of the anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin)?
• A) Hypertension
• B) Bleeding
• C) Weight gain
• D) Tachycardia
Answer: B) Bleeding
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding, which must be
monitored closely.
Question 6
A patient is receiving a beta-blocker for hypertension. What assessment should the nurse
prioritize?
• A) Respiratory rate
• B) Heart rate
• C) Blood glucose
• D) Skin temperature
, Answer: B) Heart rate
Rationale: Beta-blockers can lower heart rate; therefore, monitoring the heart rate is crucial to
prevent bradycardia.
Question 7
When assessing a patient for possible congestive heart failure (CHF), which symptom would the
nurse expect to find?
• A) Increased appetite
• B) Dry skin
• C) Nocturia
• D) Rapid weight loss
Answer: C) Nocturia
Rationale: Patients with CHF often experience nocturia due to fluid overload when lying down
at night.
Question 8
Which diagnostic test is most appropriate for evaluating the left ventricular function?
• A) Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• B) Chest X-ray
• C) Echocardiogram
• D) Stress test
Answer: C) Echocardiogram
Rationale: An echocardiogram provides detailed information about heart structure and function,
including the left ventricle.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a patient post-cardiac catheterization. Which finding should the nurse report
immediately?
• A) Mild bruising at the insertion site
• B) Heart rate of 78 bpm
• C) Blood pressure drop from 130/80 to 90/60
• D) Patient reports mild pain at the site
Question 1
A patient presents with chest pain and is diagnosed with angina pectoris. Which medication is
most commonly prescribed to manage this condition?
• A) Aspirin
• B) Nitroglycerin
• C) Metoprolol
• D) Lisinopril
Answer: B) Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a nitrate that dilates coronary arteries and helps relieve angina pain.
Aspirin is used for its antiplatelet effects, while metoprolol and lisinopril are for long-term
management of cardiovascular conditions.
Question 2
Which laboratory test is most indicative of myocardial infarction?
• A) Troponin I
• B) Creatinine
• C) Blood glucose
• D) C-reactive protein
Answer: A) Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is a protein released when the heart muscle is damaged, making it a
specific marker for myocardial infarction.
Question 3
A nurse is educating a patient about lifestyle changes to prevent cardiovascular disease. Which
of the following statements by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
• A) "I will start exercising at least 30 minutes a day."
• B) "I will reduce my sodium intake."
• C) "I can still eat fried foods occasionally."
• D) "I will quit smoking."
,Answer: C) "I can still eat fried foods occasionally."
Rationale: Fried foods can increase cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk. Patients should be
encouraged to avoid them altogether.
Question 4
A 60-year-old male patient presents with shortness of breath and a history of hypertension.
Which assessment finding is most concerning for heart failure?
• A) Clear lung sounds
• B) Elevated jugular venous pressure
• C) Regular heart rhythm
• D) Peripheral edema
Answer: B) Elevated jugular venous pressure
Rationale: Elevated jugular venous pressure indicates fluid overload, which is a common sign of
heart failure.
Question 5
Which of the following is a common side effect of the anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin)?
• A) Hypertension
• B) Bleeding
• C) Weight gain
• D) Tachycardia
Answer: B) Bleeding
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding, which must be
monitored closely.
Question 6
A patient is receiving a beta-blocker for hypertension. What assessment should the nurse
prioritize?
• A) Respiratory rate
• B) Heart rate
• C) Blood glucose
• D) Skin temperature
, Answer: B) Heart rate
Rationale: Beta-blockers can lower heart rate; therefore, monitoring the heart rate is crucial to
prevent bradycardia.
Question 7
When assessing a patient for possible congestive heart failure (CHF), which symptom would the
nurse expect to find?
• A) Increased appetite
• B) Dry skin
• C) Nocturia
• D) Rapid weight loss
Answer: C) Nocturia
Rationale: Patients with CHF often experience nocturia due to fluid overload when lying down
at night.
Question 8
Which diagnostic test is most appropriate for evaluating the left ventricular function?
• A) Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• B) Chest X-ray
• C) Echocardiogram
• D) Stress test
Answer: C) Echocardiogram
Rationale: An echocardiogram provides detailed information about heart structure and function,
including the left ventricle.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a patient post-cardiac catheterization. Which finding should the nurse report
immediately?
• A) Mild bruising at the insertion site
• B) Heart rate of 78 bpm
• C) Blood pressure drop from 130/80 to 90/60
• D) Patient reports mild pain at the site
