Cardiovascular NCLEX Study Test
with Questions & Correct Answers -
100% Verified Rationales
Which of the following diagnostic tools is most commonly used to determine the location of
myocardial damage?
a.) Cardiac catheterization
b.) Cardiac enzymes
c.) Echocardiogram
d.) Electrocardiogram - ✔✔d.) Electrocardiogram
Rationale:
The ECG is the quickest, most accurate, and most widely used tool to determine the location of
myocardial infarction. Cardiac enzymes are used to diagnose MI but can't determine the
location. An echocardiogram is used most widely to view myocardial wall function after an MI
has been diagnosed. Cardiac catheterization is an invasive study for determining coronary
artery disease and may also indicate the location of myocardial damage, but the study may not
be performed immediately.
Which of the following classes of medications protects the ischemic myocardium by blocking
catecholamines and sympathetic nerve stimulation?
,a.) Beta-adrenergic blockers
b.) Calcium channel blockers
c.) Narcotics
d.) Nitrates - ✔✔a.) Beta-adrenergic blockers
Rationale:
Beta-adrenergic blockers work by blocking beta receptors in the myocardium, reducing the
response to catecholamines and sympathetic nerve stimulation. They protect the myocardium,
helping to reduce the risk of another infarction by decreasing the workload of the heart and
decreasing myocardial oxygen demand. Calcium channel blockers reduce the workload of the
heart by decreasing the heart rate. Narcotics reduce myocardial oxygen demand, promote
vasodilation, and decreased anxiety. Nitrates reduce myocardial oxygen consumption by
decreasing left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (preload) and systemic vascular resistance
(afterload).
What is the most common complication of a myocardial infarction?
a.) Cardiogenic shock
b.) Heart failure
c.) Arrhythmias
d.) Pericarditis - ✔✔c.) arrhythmias
Rationale:
Arrhythmias, caused by oxygen deprivation to the myocardium, are the most common
complication of an MI. cardiogenic shock, another complication of MI, is defined as the end
stage of left ventricular dysfunction. The condition occurs in approximately 15% of clients with
MI. Because the pumping function of the heart is compromised by an MI, heart failure is the
second most common complication. Pericarditis most commonly results from a bacterial of
viral infection but may occur after MI.
Which of the following parameters should be checked before administering digoxin?
, a.) Apical pulse
b.) Blood pressure
c.) Radial pulse
d.) Respiratory rate - ✔✔a.) Apical pulse
Rationale:
An apical pulse is essential or accurately assessing the client's heart rate before administering
digoxin. The apical pulse is the most accurate point in the body. Blood pressure is usually only
affected if the heart rate is too low, in which case the nurse would withhold digoxin. The
radial pulse can be affected by cardiac and vascular disease and therefore, won't always
accurately depict the heart rate. Digoxin has no effect on respiratory function.
Toxicity from which of the following medications may cause a client to see a green halo around
lights?
a.) Digoxin
b.) Furosemide
c.) Metoprolol
d.) Enalapril - ✔✔a.) Digoxin
Rationale:
One of the most common signs of digoxin toxicity is the visual disturbance known as the
green halo sign. The other medications aren't associated with such an effect.
Which of the following symptoms might a client with right-sided heart failure exhibit?
a.) Adequate urine output
b.) Polyuria
with Questions & Correct Answers -
100% Verified Rationales
Which of the following diagnostic tools is most commonly used to determine the location of
myocardial damage?
a.) Cardiac catheterization
b.) Cardiac enzymes
c.) Echocardiogram
d.) Electrocardiogram - ✔✔d.) Electrocardiogram
Rationale:
The ECG is the quickest, most accurate, and most widely used tool to determine the location of
myocardial infarction. Cardiac enzymes are used to diagnose MI but can't determine the
location. An echocardiogram is used most widely to view myocardial wall function after an MI
has been diagnosed. Cardiac catheterization is an invasive study for determining coronary
artery disease and may also indicate the location of myocardial damage, but the study may not
be performed immediately.
Which of the following classes of medications protects the ischemic myocardium by blocking
catecholamines and sympathetic nerve stimulation?
,a.) Beta-adrenergic blockers
b.) Calcium channel blockers
c.) Narcotics
d.) Nitrates - ✔✔a.) Beta-adrenergic blockers
Rationale:
Beta-adrenergic blockers work by blocking beta receptors in the myocardium, reducing the
response to catecholamines and sympathetic nerve stimulation. They protect the myocardium,
helping to reduce the risk of another infarction by decreasing the workload of the heart and
decreasing myocardial oxygen demand. Calcium channel blockers reduce the workload of the
heart by decreasing the heart rate. Narcotics reduce myocardial oxygen demand, promote
vasodilation, and decreased anxiety. Nitrates reduce myocardial oxygen consumption by
decreasing left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (preload) and systemic vascular resistance
(afterload).
What is the most common complication of a myocardial infarction?
a.) Cardiogenic shock
b.) Heart failure
c.) Arrhythmias
d.) Pericarditis - ✔✔c.) arrhythmias
Rationale:
Arrhythmias, caused by oxygen deprivation to the myocardium, are the most common
complication of an MI. cardiogenic shock, another complication of MI, is defined as the end
stage of left ventricular dysfunction. The condition occurs in approximately 15% of clients with
MI. Because the pumping function of the heart is compromised by an MI, heart failure is the
second most common complication. Pericarditis most commonly results from a bacterial of
viral infection but may occur after MI.
Which of the following parameters should be checked before administering digoxin?
, a.) Apical pulse
b.) Blood pressure
c.) Radial pulse
d.) Respiratory rate - ✔✔a.) Apical pulse
Rationale:
An apical pulse is essential or accurately assessing the client's heart rate before administering
digoxin. The apical pulse is the most accurate point in the body. Blood pressure is usually only
affected if the heart rate is too low, in which case the nurse would withhold digoxin. The
radial pulse can be affected by cardiac and vascular disease and therefore, won't always
accurately depict the heart rate. Digoxin has no effect on respiratory function.
Toxicity from which of the following medications may cause a client to see a green halo around
lights?
a.) Digoxin
b.) Furosemide
c.) Metoprolol
d.) Enalapril - ✔✔a.) Digoxin
Rationale:
One of the most common signs of digoxin toxicity is the visual disturbance known as the
green halo sign. The other medications aren't associated with such an effect.
Which of the following symptoms might a client with right-sided heart failure exhibit?
a.) Adequate urine output
b.) Polyuria
