NURS 5462 EXAM NEW UPDATED QUESTIONS AND 100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the normal ejection fraction range for the left ventricle? Answer:
50-70%. Values below 40% indicate heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
(HFrEF).
2. Which medication class is first-line treatment for heart failure with
reduced ejection fraction? Answer: ACE inhibitors or ARBs (if ACE inhibitor
intolerant), along with beta-blockers and diuretics as needed.
3. What are the classic signs of right-sided heart failure? Answer: Peripheral
edema, jugular venous distension, hepatomegaly, ascites, and weight gain.
4. What is the mechanism of action of digoxin? Answer: Inhibits sodium-
potassium ATPase pump, increasing intracellular calcium and improving
cardiac contractility. Also slows AV conduction.
5. What are the target blood pressure goals for most adults with
hypertension? Answer: Less than 130/80 mmHg for most adults, though
individualized based on comorbidities and age.
6. Which arrhythmia is most commonly associated with atrial fibrillation?
Answer: Atrial fibrillation itself is the arrhythmia. It's associated with increased
risk of stroke and heart failure.
7. What is the CHADS2-VASc score used for? Answer: To assess stroke risk
in patients with atrial fibrillation and guide anticoagulation decisions.
8. What are the contraindications to thrombolytic therapy in MI? Answer:
Active bleeding, history of hemorrhagic stroke, recent surgery, severe
hypertension, and known bleeding disorders.
9. What is the difference between STEMI and NSTEMI? Answer: STEMI
shows ST-segment elevation on ECG indicating complete coronary occlusion;
NSTEMI shows other ECG changes or elevated troponins without ST elevation.
10. What are the signs and symptoms of cardiogenic shock? Answer:
Hypotension, altered mental status, decreased urine output, cool/clammy skin,
and signs of organ hypoperfusion.
, 11. What is the therapeutic range for warfarin (INR)? Answer: Typically
2.0-3.0 for most indications, 2.5-3.5 for mechanical heart valves.
12. What are the major side effects of amiodarone? Answer: Pulmonary
toxicity, hepatotoxicity, thyroid dysfunction, corneal deposits, and skin
discoloration.
13. What is Beck's triad in cardiac tamponade? Answer: Elevated jugular
venous pressure, hypotension, and muffled heart sounds.
14. What are the components of the metabolic syndrome? Answer: Central
obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia (high triglycerides, low
HDL).
15. What is the first-line treatment for stable angina? Answer: Beta-
blockers, unless contraindicated. Sublingual nitroglycerin for acute episodes.
16. What are the signs of digitalis toxicity? Answer: Nausea, vomiting, visual
disturbances, confusion, and cardiac arrhythmias (especially bradycardia or
heart block).
17. What is the mechanism of action of statins? Answer: Inhibit HMG-CoA
reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, reducing LDL
cholesterol.
18. What are the target lipid levels for high-risk cardiovascular patients?
Answer: LDL <70 mg/dL, HDL >40 mg/dL (men) or >50 mg/dL (women),
triglycerides <150 mg/dL.
19. What is the difference between stable and unstable angina? Answer:
Stable angina is predictable, occurs with exertion, relieved by rest/nitroglycerin.
Unstable angina is unpredictable, occurs at rest, and represents acute coronary
syndrome.
20. What are the indications for cardiac catheterization? Answer: Acute
coronary syndrome, failed medical management of angina, heart failure
evaluation, valve disease assessment.
21. What is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young
athletes? Answer: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
22. What are the ECG changes seen in hyperkalemia? Answer: Tall, peaked
T waves; widened QRS complex; flattened P waves; sine wave pattern in severe
cases.
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the normal ejection fraction range for the left ventricle? Answer:
50-70%. Values below 40% indicate heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
(HFrEF).
2. Which medication class is first-line treatment for heart failure with
reduced ejection fraction? Answer: ACE inhibitors or ARBs (if ACE inhibitor
intolerant), along with beta-blockers and diuretics as needed.
3. What are the classic signs of right-sided heart failure? Answer: Peripheral
edema, jugular venous distension, hepatomegaly, ascites, and weight gain.
4. What is the mechanism of action of digoxin? Answer: Inhibits sodium-
potassium ATPase pump, increasing intracellular calcium and improving
cardiac contractility. Also slows AV conduction.
5. What are the target blood pressure goals for most adults with
hypertension? Answer: Less than 130/80 mmHg for most adults, though
individualized based on comorbidities and age.
6. Which arrhythmia is most commonly associated with atrial fibrillation?
Answer: Atrial fibrillation itself is the arrhythmia. It's associated with increased
risk of stroke and heart failure.
7. What is the CHADS2-VASc score used for? Answer: To assess stroke risk
in patients with atrial fibrillation and guide anticoagulation decisions.
8. What are the contraindications to thrombolytic therapy in MI? Answer:
Active bleeding, history of hemorrhagic stroke, recent surgery, severe
hypertension, and known bleeding disorders.
9. What is the difference between STEMI and NSTEMI? Answer: STEMI
shows ST-segment elevation on ECG indicating complete coronary occlusion;
NSTEMI shows other ECG changes or elevated troponins without ST elevation.
10. What are the signs and symptoms of cardiogenic shock? Answer:
Hypotension, altered mental status, decreased urine output, cool/clammy skin,
and signs of organ hypoperfusion.
, 11. What is the therapeutic range for warfarin (INR)? Answer: Typically
2.0-3.0 for most indications, 2.5-3.5 for mechanical heart valves.
12. What are the major side effects of amiodarone? Answer: Pulmonary
toxicity, hepatotoxicity, thyroid dysfunction, corneal deposits, and skin
discoloration.
13. What is Beck's triad in cardiac tamponade? Answer: Elevated jugular
venous pressure, hypotension, and muffled heart sounds.
14. What are the components of the metabolic syndrome? Answer: Central
obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia (high triglycerides, low
HDL).
15. What is the first-line treatment for stable angina? Answer: Beta-
blockers, unless contraindicated. Sublingual nitroglycerin for acute episodes.
16. What are the signs of digitalis toxicity? Answer: Nausea, vomiting, visual
disturbances, confusion, and cardiac arrhythmias (especially bradycardia or
heart block).
17. What is the mechanism of action of statins? Answer: Inhibit HMG-CoA
reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, reducing LDL
cholesterol.
18. What are the target lipid levels for high-risk cardiovascular patients?
Answer: LDL <70 mg/dL, HDL >40 mg/dL (men) or >50 mg/dL (women),
triglycerides <150 mg/dL.
19. What is the difference between stable and unstable angina? Answer:
Stable angina is predictable, occurs with exertion, relieved by rest/nitroglycerin.
Unstable angina is unpredictable, occurs at rest, and represents acute coronary
syndrome.
20. What are the indications for cardiac catheterization? Answer: Acute
coronary syndrome, failed medical management of angina, heart failure
evaluation, valve disease assessment.
21. What is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young
athletes? Answer: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
22. What are the ECG changes seen in hyperkalemia? Answer: Tall, peaked
T waves; widened QRS complex; flattened P waves; sine wave pattern in severe
cases.
