CARDIAC-VASCULAR CERTIFICATION
EXAM 2025
A 55-year-old patient who is diagnosed with an evolving myocardial infarction (MI) insists on
going home. The cardiac-vascular nurse encourages the patient to be admitted because the
greatest risk within the first 24 hours of sustaining an MI is:
A. Heart failure
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Ventricular aneurysm
D. Ventricular fibrillation
- answers-D. Ventricular fibrillation
A 70-year-old patient with cardiovascular disease attends group classes on disease process,
medications, exercise, nutrition, and stress management. To promote optimal and effective
learning, the cardiac-vascular nurse uses which teaching strategy?
A. Condensing the information to one session, so the patient need not return for a second day
B. Customize teaching objectives based on the learner's interests
C. Preparing a PowerPoint presenting to enhance learning
D. Teaching the most important information at the end of the session, to maximize retention
- answers-B. Customize teaching objectives based on the learner's interests
A beta-blocking agent should be administered in the setting of:
A. Complete heart block
B. Atrial flutter
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Sinus tachycardia
- answers-A. Complete heart block
A concern for patients with bacterial endocarditis is:
A. Development of pulmonic stenosis
B. Emergency surgical intervention
C. Embolization of the bacterial vegetation to the periphery
,D. Onset of acute renal failure
- answers-C. Embolization of the bacterial vegetation to the periphery
A contraindication to physical activity for a patient with a history of cardiac disease is:
A. Diabetes
B. Depression
C. Unstable angina
D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- answers-C. Unstable angina
A nursing diagnosis/potential patient problem that would apply to the patient undergoing cardiac
surgery would be:
A. Potential altered family dynamics related to the patient's plan to return to work
B. Potential for noncompliance related to risk factor modification
C. Potential altered nutrition more than body requirements related to increased appetite
D. Potential fear or anxiety related to the possibility of death during surgery
- answers-D. Potential fear or anxiety related to the possibility of death during surgery
A patient comes to the emergency department with reports of a swollen and painful leg but
denies sustaining any injury. Physical examination reveals a tense calf muscle, decreased
sensation to the foot and leg, and absent pedal pulses. The cardiac-vascular nurse asks the patient
when the symptoms began because:
A. A compartment syndrome develops days after an arterial occlusion
B. An arterial thrombus is sudden and emergency, and an embolism develops gradually
C. Irreversible anoxic injury to muscles and nerves can occur in a few as four hours
D. Metabolic alkalosis from muscle swelling in cardiotoxic
- answers-C. Irreversible anoxic injury to muscles and nerves can occur in a few as four hours
A patient has been receiving heparin IV for the last three days. The patient's most current platelet
count is 65,00 x 10^3/uL; the platelet count on admission was 350,000 x 1-^3/uL. The cardiac-
vascular nurse contacts the physician to:
A. Report that the medication level is subtherapeutic
B. Report that the patient is exhibiting signs of an adverse reaction
C. Request an increase in the medication infusion rate
D. Request an order for platelet transfusion
- answers-B. Report that the patient is exhibiting signs of an adverse reaction
, A patient is admitted to the hospital for a carotid angiogram with stents placement. The patient's
spouse states, "I don't know want my spouse to find out there is a risk of stroke connected with
this procedure because he or she won't sign the consent form." The cardiac-vascular nurse's most
appropriate action is to:
A. Assess the patient's level of understanding of risks, benefits, and alternatives
B. Assure the patient's spouse that the risk of stroke is minimal
C. Offer the patient emotional support and reinforce the benefits of the procedure
D. Perform a neurologic assessment to establish a baseline
- answers-A. Assess the patient's level of understanding of risks, benefits, and alternatives
A patient recently had a cardiac catheterization via right-radial approach. The patient has a
compression device in place. The patient complains of numbness and pain in the right hand. The
cardiac-vascular nurse notes a diminished pulse, with a cool and cyanotic hand. The nurse:
A. Calls the physician
B. Performs an Allen's test
C. Reduces the pressure on the puncture site
D. Uses the Doppler to assess the pulse signals
- answers-C. Reduces the pressure on the puncture site
A patient reports abdominal pain, nausea, and occasional numbness in his extremities. Which of
the following assessments made by the nurse will be cause of immediate contract with the
healthcare provider?
A. Hypoactive bowel sounds in all four quadrants
B. Peripheral pulses +2 bilaterally
C. Pulsatile abdominal mass
D. Small inguinal hernia on left side
- answers-C. Pulsatile abdominal mass
A patient reports intermittent feelings of palpitations and dizziness. Upon physical assessment of
vital signs, the nurse notices that the apical pulse is irregular, and the peripheral pulses are not all
the same strength. The nurse prepares the patient for which of the following initial tests?
A. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head w/out contrast
B. Coronary angiography
C. Twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
EXAM 2025
A 55-year-old patient who is diagnosed with an evolving myocardial infarction (MI) insists on
going home. The cardiac-vascular nurse encourages the patient to be admitted because the
greatest risk within the first 24 hours of sustaining an MI is:
A. Heart failure
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Ventricular aneurysm
D. Ventricular fibrillation
- answers-D. Ventricular fibrillation
A 70-year-old patient with cardiovascular disease attends group classes on disease process,
medications, exercise, nutrition, and stress management. To promote optimal and effective
learning, the cardiac-vascular nurse uses which teaching strategy?
A. Condensing the information to one session, so the patient need not return for a second day
B. Customize teaching objectives based on the learner's interests
C. Preparing a PowerPoint presenting to enhance learning
D. Teaching the most important information at the end of the session, to maximize retention
- answers-B. Customize teaching objectives based on the learner's interests
A beta-blocking agent should be administered in the setting of:
A. Complete heart block
B. Atrial flutter
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Sinus tachycardia
- answers-A. Complete heart block
A concern for patients with bacterial endocarditis is:
A. Development of pulmonic stenosis
B. Emergency surgical intervention
C. Embolization of the bacterial vegetation to the periphery
,D. Onset of acute renal failure
- answers-C. Embolization of the bacterial vegetation to the periphery
A contraindication to physical activity for a patient with a history of cardiac disease is:
A. Diabetes
B. Depression
C. Unstable angina
D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- answers-C. Unstable angina
A nursing diagnosis/potential patient problem that would apply to the patient undergoing cardiac
surgery would be:
A. Potential altered family dynamics related to the patient's plan to return to work
B. Potential for noncompliance related to risk factor modification
C. Potential altered nutrition more than body requirements related to increased appetite
D. Potential fear or anxiety related to the possibility of death during surgery
- answers-D. Potential fear or anxiety related to the possibility of death during surgery
A patient comes to the emergency department with reports of a swollen and painful leg but
denies sustaining any injury. Physical examination reveals a tense calf muscle, decreased
sensation to the foot and leg, and absent pedal pulses. The cardiac-vascular nurse asks the patient
when the symptoms began because:
A. A compartment syndrome develops days after an arterial occlusion
B. An arterial thrombus is sudden and emergency, and an embolism develops gradually
C. Irreversible anoxic injury to muscles and nerves can occur in a few as four hours
D. Metabolic alkalosis from muscle swelling in cardiotoxic
- answers-C. Irreversible anoxic injury to muscles and nerves can occur in a few as four hours
A patient has been receiving heparin IV for the last three days. The patient's most current platelet
count is 65,00 x 10^3/uL; the platelet count on admission was 350,000 x 1-^3/uL. The cardiac-
vascular nurse contacts the physician to:
A. Report that the medication level is subtherapeutic
B. Report that the patient is exhibiting signs of an adverse reaction
C. Request an increase in the medication infusion rate
D. Request an order for platelet transfusion
- answers-B. Report that the patient is exhibiting signs of an adverse reaction
, A patient is admitted to the hospital for a carotid angiogram with stents placement. The patient's
spouse states, "I don't know want my spouse to find out there is a risk of stroke connected with
this procedure because he or she won't sign the consent form." The cardiac-vascular nurse's most
appropriate action is to:
A. Assess the patient's level of understanding of risks, benefits, and alternatives
B. Assure the patient's spouse that the risk of stroke is minimal
C. Offer the patient emotional support and reinforce the benefits of the procedure
D. Perform a neurologic assessment to establish a baseline
- answers-A. Assess the patient's level of understanding of risks, benefits, and alternatives
A patient recently had a cardiac catheterization via right-radial approach. The patient has a
compression device in place. The patient complains of numbness and pain in the right hand. The
cardiac-vascular nurse notes a diminished pulse, with a cool and cyanotic hand. The nurse:
A. Calls the physician
B. Performs an Allen's test
C. Reduces the pressure on the puncture site
D. Uses the Doppler to assess the pulse signals
- answers-C. Reduces the pressure on the puncture site
A patient reports abdominal pain, nausea, and occasional numbness in his extremities. Which of
the following assessments made by the nurse will be cause of immediate contract with the
healthcare provider?
A. Hypoactive bowel sounds in all four quadrants
B. Peripheral pulses +2 bilaterally
C. Pulsatile abdominal mass
D. Small inguinal hernia on left side
- answers-C. Pulsatile abdominal mass
A patient reports intermittent feelings of palpitations and dizziness. Upon physical assessment of
vital signs, the nurse notices that the apical pulse is irregular, and the peripheral pulses are not all
the same strength. The nurse prepares the patient for which of the following initial tests?
A. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head w/out contrast
B. Coronary angiography
C. Twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
