Cardiovascular NCLEX Study Test
with Questions & Correct Answers -
100% Verified Rationales
A nurse is assessing the neurovascular status of a client who returned to the surgical nursing
unit 4 hours ago after undergoing aortoiliac bypass graft. The affected leg is warm, and the
nurse notes redness and edema. The pedal pulse is palpable and unchanged from admission.
How would the nurse correctly interpret the client's neurovascular status?
1. The neurovascular status is normal because of increased blood flow through the leg.
2. The neurovascular status is moderately impaired, and the surgeon should be called.
3. The neurovascular status is slightly deteriorating and should be monitored for another hour.
4. The neurovascular status is adequate from an arterial approach, but venous complications
are arising. - ✔✔712. 1
Rationale:
An expected outcome of aortoiliac bypass graft surgery is warmth, redness, and edema in the
surgical extremity because of increased blood flow. Therefore options 2, 3, and 4 are
incorrect interpretations.
Test-Taking Strategy:
,Use the process of elimination. Option 2 can be eliminated because the pedal pulse is
unchanged from admission. Venous complications from immobilization resulting from surgery
would not be apparent within 4 hours, so eliminate option 4. From the remaining options, think
about the effects of sudden reperfusion in an ischemic limb. There would be redness from new
blood flow and edema from the sudden change in pressure in the blood vessels. Review the
expected assessment findings following this surgical procedure if you had difficulty with this
question.
714. A nurse is caring for a client who had a resection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
yesterday. The client has an intravenous infusion with a rate of 150 mL/hr, unchanged for the
last 10 hours. The client's urine output for the last 3 hours was 90, 50, and 28 mL (28 mL most
recent). The client's blood urea nitrogen level is 35 mg/dL and serum creatinine level is 1.8
mg/dL, measured this morning. Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
1. Call the physician.
2. Check the urine specific gravity.
3. Check to see if the client had a sample for serum albumin level drawn.
4. Put the intravenous line on a pump so that the infusion rate is sure to stay stable. -
✔✔714. 1
Rationale:
Following abdominal aortic aneurysm resection or repair, the nurse monitors the client for signs
of renal failure. Renal failure can occur because often much blood is lost during the surgery and,
depending on the aneurysm location, the renal arteries may be hypoperfused for a short period
during surgery. The nurse monitors hourly intake and output and notes the results of daily
blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Urine output lower than 30 to 50 mL/hr is reported
to the physician.
,Test-Taking Strategy:
Focus on the information in the question and the abnormal assessment data. This question
indicates elevations in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels and a significant drop in
hourly urine output. These assessment findings should direct you to option 1. Review the
complications associated with this surgical procedure if you had difficulty with this question.
715. A client with angina complains that the anginal pain is prolonged and severe and occurs
at the same time each day, most often at rest in the absence of precipitating factors. How
would the nurse best describe this type of anginal pain?
1. Stable angina
2. Variant angina
3. Unstable angina
4. Nonanginal pain - ✔✔715. 2
, Rationale:
Variant angina, or Prinzmetal's angina, is prolonged and severe and occurs at the same time
each day, most often at rest. Stable angina is induced by exercise and relieved by rest or
nitroglycerin tablets. Unstable angina occurs at lower and lower levels of activity or at rest, is
less predictable, and is often a precursor of myocardial infarction.
Test-Taking Strategy:
Use the process of elimination, focusing on the data in the question. Noting the strategic words
at rest will direct you to option 2. If you had difficulty with this question, review the
characteristics of the various types of angina.
716. A nurse in a medical unit is caring for a client with heart failure. The client suddenly
develops extreme dyspnea, tachycardia, and lung crackles and the nurse suspects pulmonary
edema. The nurse immediately asks another nurse to contact the physician and prepares to
implement which priority interventions? Select all that apply.
1. Administering oxygen
2. Inserting a Foley catheter
3. Administering furosemide (Lasix)
4. Administering morphine sulfate intravenously
5. Transporting the client to the coronary care unit
6. Placing the client in a low Fowler's side-lying position - ✔✔716. 1, 2, 3, 4
with Questions & Correct Answers -
100% Verified Rationales
A nurse is assessing the neurovascular status of a client who returned to the surgical nursing
unit 4 hours ago after undergoing aortoiliac bypass graft. The affected leg is warm, and the
nurse notes redness and edema. The pedal pulse is palpable and unchanged from admission.
How would the nurse correctly interpret the client's neurovascular status?
1. The neurovascular status is normal because of increased blood flow through the leg.
2. The neurovascular status is moderately impaired, and the surgeon should be called.
3. The neurovascular status is slightly deteriorating and should be monitored for another hour.
4. The neurovascular status is adequate from an arterial approach, but venous complications
are arising. - ✔✔712. 1
Rationale:
An expected outcome of aortoiliac bypass graft surgery is warmth, redness, and edema in the
surgical extremity because of increased blood flow. Therefore options 2, 3, and 4 are
incorrect interpretations.
Test-Taking Strategy:
,Use the process of elimination. Option 2 can be eliminated because the pedal pulse is
unchanged from admission. Venous complications from immobilization resulting from surgery
would not be apparent within 4 hours, so eliminate option 4. From the remaining options, think
about the effects of sudden reperfusion in an ischemic limb. There would be redness from new
blood flow and edema from the sudden change in pressure in the blood vessels. Review the
expected assessment findings following this surgical procedure if you had difficulty with this
question.
714. A nurse is caring for a client who had a resection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
yesterday. The client has an intravenous infusion with a rate of 150 mL/hr, unchanged for the
last 10 hours. The client's urine output for the last 3 hours was 90, 50, and 28 mL (28 mL most
recent). The client's blood urea nitrogen level is 35 mg/dL and serum creatinine level is 1.8
mg/dL, measured this morning. Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
1. Call the physician.
2. Check the urine specific gravity.
3. Check to see if the client had a sample for serum albumin level drawn.
4. Put the intravenous line on a pump so that the infusion rate is sure to stay stable. -
✔✔714. 1
Rationale:
Following abdominal aortic aneurysm resection or repair, the nurse monitors the client for signs
of renal failure. Renal failure can occur because often much blood is lost during the surgery and,
depending on the aneurysm location, the renal arteries may be hypoperfused for a short period
during surgery. The nurse monitors hourly intake and output and notes the results of daily
blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Urine output lower than 30 to 50 mL/hr is reported
to the physician.
,Test-Taking Strategy:
Focus on the information in the question and the abnormal assessment data. This question
indicates elevations in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels and a significant drop in
hourly urine output. These assessment findings should direct you to option 1. Review the
complications associated with this surgical procedure if you had difficulty with this question.
715. A client with angina complains that the anginal pain is prolonged and severe and occurs
at the same time each day, most often at rest in the absence of precipitating factors. How
would the nurse best describe this type of anginal pain?
1. Stable angina
2. Variant angina
3. Unstable angina
4. Nonanginal pain - ✔✔715. 2
, Rationale:
Variant angina, or Prinzmetal's angina, is prolonged and severe and occurs at the same time
each day, most often at rest. Stable angina is induced by exercise and relieved by rest or
nitroglycerin tablets. Unstable angina occurs at lower and lower levels of activity or at rest, is
less predictable, and is often a precursor of myocardial infarction.
Test-Taking Strategy:
Use the process of elimination, focusing on the data in the question. Noting the strategic words
at rest will direct you to option 2. If you had difficulty with this question, review the
characteristics of the various types of angina.
716. A nurse in a medical unit is caring for a client with heart failure. The client suddenly
develops extreme dyspnea, tachycardia, and lung crackles and the nurse suspects pulmonary
edema. The nurse immediately asks another nurse to contact the physician and prepares to
implement which priority interventions? Select all that apply.
1. Administering oxygen
2. Inserting a Foley catheter
3. Administering furosemide (Lasix)
4. Administering morphine sulfate intravenously
5. Transporting the client to the coronary care unit
6. Placing the client in a low Fowler's side-lying position - ✔✔716. 1, 2, 3, 4
