CARDIAC ATI OFFICIAL FINAL EXAM STUDY
GUIDE COVERING ALL TOPICS AND UNITS
2026.
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has a cardiopulmonary arrest. The
nurse anticipates the emergency response team will administer which
of the following medications if the client's restored rhythm is
symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Epinephrine
B. Magnesium
C. Atropine
D. Sodium bicarbonate. Answer: C
◍ A nurse is admitting a client who has acute heart failure following
myocardial infarction (MI). The nurse recognizes that which of the
following prescriptions by the provider requires clarification?
A. Morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus every 2 hr PRN pain
B. Laboratory testing of serum potassium upon admission
C. 0.9% normal saline IV at 50 mL/hr continuous
D. Bumetanide 1 mg IV bolus every 12 h. Answer: C
,◍ A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client who has a prescription for
digoxin. Which of the following statements indicates the client is
experiencing digoxin toxicity?
A. "I am gaining weight."
B. "I am constipated."
C. "My vision seems yellow."
D. "My tongue is red and beefy.". Answer: C
◍ A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client who has recently begun
taking warfarin. The nurse is reviewing potential drug and food
interaction risks and should instruct the client to avoid which of the
following?
A. Cabbage
B. Cantaloupe
C. Green beans
D. White beans. Answer: A
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who came to the emergency
department reporting chest pain. The provider suspects a myocardial
infarction. While waiting for the troponin levels report, the client asks
what this blood test will show. Which of the following explanations
should the nurse provide the client?
,A. Troponin is an enzyme that indicates damage to brain, heart, and
skeletal muscle tissues.
B. Troponin is a lipid whose levels reflect the risk for coronary artery
disease.
C. Troponin is a heart muscle protein that appears in the bloodstream
when there is damage to the heart.
D. Troponin is a protein that helps transport oxygen throughout the
body. Answer: C
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has a serum potassium level of
5.5 mEq/L. The provider prescribes polystyrene sulfonate. If this
medication is effective, the nurse should expect which of the
following changes on the client's ECG?
A. Reduction of T-wave amplitude
B. Shortening of P-wave duration
C. Widening of the QRS complex
D. Restoration of QRS complex amplitude. Answer: A
◍ The nurse is evaluating a client who had a cardiac catheterization
with a left antecubital insertion site. Which of the following pulses
should the nurse palpate?
A. Brachial pulse in the left arm
B. Brachial pulse in the right arm
C. Radial pulse in the left arm
, D. Radial pulse in the right arm. Answer: C
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following
vascular surgery. Which of the following signs should indicate to the
nurse that the client has developed a thrombus?
A. Positive Kernig's sign
B. Positive Homan's sign
C. Dull, aching calf pain
D. Soft, pliable calf muscle. Answer: C
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has valvular heart disease and is
at risk for developing left- sided heart failure. Which of the following
manifestations should alert the nurse the client is developing this
condition?
A. Anorexia
B. Weight gain
C. Breathlessness
D. Distended abdomen. Answer: C
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has hypertension and has a
potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A. Suggest that the client use a salt substitute.
GUIDE COVERING ALL TOPICS AND UNITS
2026.
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has a cardiopulmonary arrest. The
nurse anticipates the emergency response team will administer which
of the following medications if the client's restored rhythm is
symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Epinephrine
B. Magnesium
C. Atropine
D. Sodium bicarbonate. Answer: C
◍ A nurse is admitting a client who has acute heart failure following
myocardial infarction (MI). The nurse recognizes that which of the
following prescriptions by the provider requires clarification?
A. Morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus every 2 hr PRN pain
B. Laboratory testing of serum potassium upon admission
C. 0.9% normal saline IV at 50 mL/hr continuous
D. Bumetanide 1 mg IV bolus every 12 h. Answer: C
,◍ A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client who has a prescription for
digoxin. Which of the following statements indicates the client is
experiencing digoxin toxicity?
A. "I am gaining weight."
B. "I am constipated."
C. "My vision seems yellow."
D. "My tongue is red and beefy.". Answer: C
◍ A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client who has recently begun
taking warfarin. The nurse is reviewing potential drug and food
interaction risks and should instruct the client to avoid which of the
following?
A. Cabbage
B. Cantaloupe
C. Green beans
D. White beans. Answer: A
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who came to the emergency
department reporting chest pain. The provider suspects a myocardial
infarction. While waiting for the troponin levels report, the client asks
what this blood test will show. Which of the following explanations
should the nurse provide the client?
,A. Troponin is an enzyme that indicates damage to brain, heart, and
skeletal muscle tissues.
B. Troponin is a lipid whose levels reflect the risk for coronary artery
disease.
C. Troponin is a heart muscle protein that appears in the bloodstream
when there is damage to the heart.
D. Troponin is a protein that helps transport oxygen throughout the
body. Answer: C
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has a serum potassium level of
5.5 mEq/L. The provider prescribes polystyrene sulfonate. If this
medication is effective, the nurse should expect which of the
following changes on the client's ECG?
A. Reduction of T-wave amplitude
B. Shortening of P-wave duration
C. Widening of the QRS complex
D. Restoration of QRS complex amplitude. Answer: A
◍ The nurse is evaluating a client who had a cardiac catheterization
with a left antecubital insertion site. Which of the following pulses
should the nurse palpate?
A. Brachial pulse in the left arm
B. Brachial pulse in the right arm
C. Radial pulse in the left arm
, D. Radial pulse in the right arm. Answer: C
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following
vascular surgery. Which of the following signs should indicate to the
nurse that the client has developed a thrombus?
A. Positive Kernig's sign
B. Positive Homan's sign
C. Dull, aching calf pain
D. Soft, pliable calf muscle. Answer: C
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has valvular heart disease and is
at risk for developing left- sided heart failure. Which of the following
manifestations should alert the nurse the client is developing this
condition?
A. Anorexia
B. Weight gain
C. Breathlessness
D. Distended abdomen. Answer: C
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has hypertension and has a
potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A. Suggest that the client use a salt substitute.
