NUR 425 EXAM 1 (2026/2027) NEWEST
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED CORRECT
ANSWERS | A+ GRADE VERIFIED
ANSWERS
A nurse is assessing an electrocardiogram rhythm strip.
The P waves and QRS complexes are regular. The PR
interval is 0.16 second, and QRS complexes measure
0.06 second. The overall heart rate is 64 beats per minute.
The nurse assesses the cardiac rhythm as:
A. Normal sinus rhythm
B. Sinus bradycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. First-degree heart block. Correct Answer A (This
rhythm is NSR. The P waves and QRS complexes are
regular. The PR interval is less than 0.2 seconds. The
QRS complex is less than 0.12 seconds. The heart rate is
between 60-100 BPM.)
A nurse notices frequent artifact on the ECG monitor for a
client whose leads are connected by cable to a console at
the bedside. The nurse examines the client to determine
the cause. Which of the following items is *unlikely* to be
responsible for the artifact?
A. Frequent movement of the client
B. Tightly secured cable connections
C. Leads applied over hairy areas
D. Leads applied to the limbs Correct Answer B (Motion
artifact, or "noise," can be caused by frequent client
,movement, electrode placement on limbs, and insufficient
adhesion to the skin, such as placing electrodes over hairy
areas of the skin. Electrode placement over bony
prominences also should be avoided. Signal interference
can also occur with electrode removal and cable
disconnection.)
A nurse is watching the cardiac monitor and notices that
the rhythm suddenly changes. There are no P waves, the
QRS complexes are wide, and the ventricular rate is
regular but over 100. The nurse determines that the client
is experiencing:
A. Premature ventricular contractions
B. Ventricular tachycardia
C. Ventricular fibrillation
D. Sinus tachycardia Correct Answer B (Ventricular
tachycardia is characterized by the absence of P waves,
wide QRS complexes (usually greater than 0.14 second),
and a rate between 100 and 250 impulses per minute. The
rhythm is usually regular.)
A nurse is viewing the cardiac monitor in a client's room
and notes that the client has just gone into ventricular
tachycardia. The client is awake and alert and has good
skin color. The nurse would prepare to do which of the
following?
A. Immediately defibrillate
B. Prepare for pacemaker insertion
C. Administer amiodarone (Cordarone) intravenously
D. Administer epinephrine (Adrenaline) intravenously
Correct Answer C (First-line treatment of ventricular
,tachycardia in a client who is hemodynamically stable is
the use of anti-dysrhythmics such as amiodarone
(Cordarone), lidocaine (Xylocaine), and procainamide
(Pronestyl). Cardioversion also may be needed to correct
the rhythm (cardioversion is recommended for stable
ventricular tachycardia). Defibrillation is used with
pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Epinephrine would
stimulate and already excitable ventricle and is
contraindicated.)
A nurse is caring for a client with unstable ventricular
tachycardia. The nurse instructs the client to do which of
the following, if prescribed, during an episode of
ventricular tachycardia?
A. Breathe deeply, regularly, and easily
B. Inhale deeply and cough forcefully every 1 to 3 seconds
C. Lie down flat in bed
D. Remove any metal jewelry Correct Answer B (Cough
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sometimes is used in
the client with unstable ventricular tachycardia. The nurse
tells the client to use cough CPR, if prescribed, by inhaling
deeply and coughing forcefully every 1 to 3 seconds.
Cough CPR may terminate the dysrhythmia or sustain the
cerebral and coronary circulation for a short time until
other measures can be implemented.)
A client is having frequent premature ventricular
contractions. A nurse would place priority on assessment
of which of the following items?
A. Blood pressure and peripheral perfusion
B. Sensation of palpitations
, C. Causative factors such as caffeine
D. Precipitating factors such as infection Correct Answer A
(Premature ventricular contractions can cause
hemodynamic compromise. The shortened ventricular
filling time with the ectopic beats leads to decreased
stroke volume and, if frequent enough, to decreased
cardiac output. The client may be asymptomatic or may
feel palpitations. PVCs can be caused by cardiac
disorders or by any number of physiological stressors,
such as infection, illness, surgery, or trauma, and by the
intake of caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine.)
A client has developed atrial fibrillation, with a ventricular
rate of 150 beats per minute. A nurse assesses the client
for:
A. Hypotension and dizziness
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Hypertension and headache
D. Flat neck veins Correct Answer A (The client with
uncontrolled atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate more
than 150 beats a minute is at risk for low cardiac output
because of loss of atrial kick. The nurse assesses the
client for palpitations, chest pain or discomfort,
hypotension, pulse deficit, fatigue, weakness, dizziness,
syncope, shortness of breath, and distended neck veins.)
A nurse is watching the cardiac monitor, and a client's
rhythm suddenly changes. There are no P waves; instead
there are wavy lines. The QRS complexes measure 0.08
second, but they are irregular, with a rate of 120 beats a
minute. The nurse interprets this rhythm as:
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED CORRECT
ANSWERS | A+ GRADE VERIFIED
ANSWERS
A nurse is assessing an electrocardiogram rhythm strip.
The P waves and QRS complexes are regular. The PR
interval is 0.16 second, and QRS complexes measure
0.06 second. The overall heart rate is 64 beats per minute.
The nurse assesses the cardiac rhythm as:
A. Normal sinus rhythm
B. Sinus bradycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. First-degree heart block. Correct Answer A (This
rhythm is NSR. The P waves and QRS complexes are
regular. The PR interval is less than 0.2 seconds. The
QRS complex is less than 0.12 seconds. The heart rate is
between 60-100 BPM.)
A nurse notices frequent artifact on the ECG monitor for a
client whose leads are connected by cable to a console at
the bedside. The nurse examines the client to determine
the cause. Which of the following items is *unlikely* to be
responsible for the artifact?
A. Frequent movement of the client
B. Tightly secured cable connections
C. Leads applied over hairy areas
D. Leads applied to the limbs Correct Answer B (Motion
artifact, or "noise," can be caused by frequent client
,movement, electrode placement on limbs, and insufficient
adhesion to the skin, such as placing electrodes over hairy
areas of the skin. Electrode placement over bony
prominences also should be avoided. Signal interference
can also occur with electrode removal and cable
disconnection.)
A nurse is watching the cardiac monitor and notices that
the rhythm suddenly changes. There are no P waves, the
QRS complexes are wide, and the ventricular rate is
regular but over 100. The nurse determines that the client
is experiencing:
A. Premature ventricular contractions
B. Ventricular tachycardia
C. Ventricular fibrillation
D. Sinus tachycardia Correct Answer B (Ventricular
tachycardia is characterized by the absence of P waves,
wide QRS complexes (usually greater than 0.14 second),
and a rate between 100 and 250 impulses per minute. The
rhythm is usually regular.)
A nurse is viewing the cardiac monitor in a client's room
and notes that the client has just gone into ventricular
tachycardia. The client is awake and alert and has good
skin color. The nurse would prepare to do which of the
following?
A. Immediately defibrillate
B. Prepare for pacemaker insertion
C. Administer amiodarone (Cordarone) intravenously
D. Administer epinephrine (Adrenaline) intravenously
Correct Answer C (First-line treatment of ventricular
,tachycardia in a client who is hemodynamically stable is
the use of anti-dysrhythmics such as amiodarone
(Cordarone), lidocaine (Xylocaine), and procainamide
(Pronestyl). Cardioversion also may be needed to correct
the rhythm (cardioversion is recommended for stable
ventricular tachycardia). Defibrillation is used with
pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Epinephrine would
stimulate and already excitable ventricle and is
contraindicated.)
A nurse is caring for a client with unstable ventricular
tachycardia. The nurse instructs the client to do which of
the following, if prescribed, during an episode of
ventricular tachycardia?
A. Breathe deeply, regularly, and easily
B. Inhale deeply and cough forcefully every 1 to 3 seconds
C. Lie down flat in bed
D. Remove any metal jewelry Correct Answer B (Cough
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sometimes is used in
the client with unstable ventricular tachycardia. The nurse
tells the client to use cough CPR, if prescribed, by inhaling
deeply and coughing forcefully every 1 to 3 seconds.
Cough CPR may terminate the dysrhythmia or sustain the
cerebral and coronary circulation for a short time until
other measures can be implemented.)
A client is having frequent premature ventricular
contractions. A nurse would place priority on assessment
of which of the following items?
A. Blood pressure and peripheral perfusion
B. Sensation of palpitations
, C. Causative factors such as caffeine
D. Precipitating factors such as infection Correct Answer A
(Premature ventricular contractions can cause
hemodynamic compromise. The shortened ventricular
filling time with the ectopic beats leads to decreased
stroke volume and, if frequent enough, to decreased
cardiac output. The client may be asymptomatic or may
feel palpitations. PVCs can be caused by cardiac
disorders or by any number of physiological stressors,
such as infection, illness, surgery, or trauma, and by the
intake of caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine.)
A client has developed atrial fibrillation, with a ventricular
rate of 150 beats per minute. A nurse assesses the client
for:
A. Hypotension and dizziness
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Hypertension and headache
D. Flat neck veins Correct Answer A (The client with
uncontrolled atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate more
than 150 beats a minute is at risk for low cardiac output
because of loss of atrial kick. The nurse assesses the
client for palpitations, chest pain or discomfort,
hypotension, pulse deficit, fatigue, weakness, dizziness,
syncope, shortness of breath, and distended neck veins.)
A nurse is watching the cardiac monitor, and a client's
rhythm suddenly changes. There are no P waves; instead
there are wavy lines. The QRS complexes measure 0.08
second, but they are irregular, with a rate of 120 beats a
minute. The nurse interprets this rhythm as:
