ATI CARDIO VASCULAR TEST BANK REVIEW ACTUAL
EXAM 2026 COMPLETE WITH 200+ REAL QUESTIONS AND
WELLVERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED
A+|GUARANTEED PASS|ATI CARDIO VASCULAR TEST BANK
LATEST EXAM [NEW VERSION]
ATI-Style Cardiovascular Nursing Practice Examination — 2026
Course: Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing / Cardiovascular Nursing
Format: 200 original multiple-choice and clinical-judgment questions
with answers and rationales
Purpose: Comprehensive cardiovascular nursing examination and
review
Table of Contents
1. Introduction and Cardiovascular Assessment — Questions 1–25
2. Core Cardiovascular Concepts — Questions 26–60
3. Coronary Artery Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes — Questions 61–
90
4. Heart Failure — Questions 91–120
5. Dysrhythmias and ECG Concepts — Questions 121–145
6. Hypertension and Vascular Disorders — Questions 146–165
7. Valvular, Inflammatory, and Structural Disorders — Questions 166–180
8. Applied Clinical Scenarios and Critical Thinking — Questions 181–200
9. Final Review Checklist
,SECTION 1 — INTRODUCTION AND CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who reports chest discomfort. Which finding requires the most
immediate follow-up?
A. Pain rated 2/10 after walking
B. Chest pressure radiating to the left arm with diaphoresis
C. Mild fatigue after climbing stairs
D. Occasional palpitations lasting 2 seconds
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Chest pressure associated with radiation and diaphoresis is highly concerning for
myocardial ischemia or acute coronary syndrome and requires immediate assessment and
intervention.
Question 2
Which heart sound is produced primarily by closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
Correct answer: A
Rationale: S1 occurs at the beginning of ventricular systole when the atrioventricular valves
close.
Question 3
Which heart sound results from closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
Correct answer: B
Rationale: S2 marks the end of ventricular systole and results from closure of the semilunar
valves.
Question 4
,A nurse hears an S3 in an older adult with dyspnea and peripheral edema. What does this finding
most strongly suggest?
A. Increased ventricular filling associated with heart failure
B. Normal aging
C. Complete heart block
D. Pericardial inflammation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: An S3 can reflect increased ventricular filling pressures and is commonly associated
with volume overload and heart failure, particularly when accompanied by dyspnea and edema.
Question 5
Which finding is most characteristic of an S4?
A. Occurs immediately after S2
B. Occurs during ventricular filling caused by atrial contraction against a stiff ventricle
C. Occurs because of semilunar valve closure
D. Is always a normal finding in older adults
Correct answer: B
Rationale: S4 occurs just before S1 when atrial contraction forces blood into a relatively
noncompliant ventricle.
Question 6
Where should the nurse auscultate the apical impulse most directly in an adult?
A. Second right intercostal space
B. Second left intercostal space
C. Left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D. Lower right sternal border
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The apical impulse is normally located around the fifth left intercostal space at the
midclavicular line.
Question 7
Which pulse should the nurse assess when evaluating circulation to the foot?
A. Radial
B. Brachial
, C. Femoral
D. Dorsalis pedis
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The dorsalis pedis pulse assesses arterial perfusion to the foot.
Question 8
A client has a weak, thready peripheral pulse. Which condition should the nurse consider?
A. Increased stroke volume
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Hypervolemia only
D. Increased vascular resistance only
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Weak peripheral pulses may occur when cardiac output or peripheral perfusion is
reduced.
Question 9
Which assessment finding is most concerning for poor peripheral perfusion?
A. Warm extremities
B. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
C. Cool, pale extremity with diminished pulse
D. Symmetric peripheral pulses
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Coolness, pallor, and diminished pulses indicate impaired arterial blood flow.
Question 10
Which assessment best evaluates orthostatic hypotension?
A. Blood pressure after exercise
B. Blood pressure and pulse in different body positions
C. Blood pressure only at bedtime
D. Oxygen saturation after meals
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic assessment compares vital signs between positions, typically lying,
sitting, and standing, while monitoring for symptoms.
Question 11
EXAM 2026 COMPLETE WITH 200+ REAL QUESTIONS AND
WELLVERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED
A+|GUARANTEED PASS|ATI CARDIO VASCULAR TEST BANK
LATEST EXAM [NEW VERSION]
ATI-Style Cardiovascular Nursing Practice Examination — 2026
Course: Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing / Cardiovascular Nursing
Format: 200 original multiple-choice and clinical-judgment questions
with answers and rationales
Purpose: Comprehensive cardiovascular nursing examination and
review
Table of Contents
1. Introduction and Cardiovascular Assessment — Questions 1–25
2. Core Cardiovascular Concepts — Questions 26–60
3. Coronary Artery Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes — Questions 61–
90
4. Heart Failure — Questions 91–120
5. Dysrhythmias and ECG Concepts — Questions 121–145
6. Hypertension and Vascular Disorders — Questions 146–165
7. Valvular, Inflammatory, and Structural Disorders — Questions 166–180
8. Applied Clinical Scenarios and Critical Thinking — Questions 181–200
9. Final Review Checklist
,SECTION 1 — INTRODUCTION AND CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who reports chest discomfort. Which finding requires the most
immediate follow-up?
A. Pain rated 2/10 after walking
B. Chest pressure radiating to the left arm with diaphoresis
C. Mild fatigue after climbing stairs
D. Occasional palpitations lasting 2 seconds
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Chest pressure associated with radiation and diaphoresis is highly concerning for
myocardial ischemia or acute coronary syndrome and requires immediate assessment and
intervention.
Question 2
Which heart sound is produced primarily by closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
Correct answer: A
Rationale: S1 occurs at the beginning of ventricular systole when the atrioventricular valves
close.
Question 3
Which heart sound results from closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
Correct answer: B
Rationale: S2 marks the end of ventricular systole and results from closure of the semilunar
valves.
Question 4
,A nurse hears an S3 in an older adult with dyspnea and peripheral edema. What does this finding
most strongly suggest?
A. Increased ventricular filling associated with heart failure
B. Normal aging
C. Complete heart block
D. Pericardial inflammation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: An S3 can reflect increased ventricular filling pressures and is commonly associated
with volume overload and heart failure, particularly when accompanied by dyspnea and edema.
Question 5
Which finding is most characteristic of an S4?
A. Occurs immediately after S2
B. Occurs during ventricular filling caused by atrial contraction against a stiff ventricle
C. Occurs because of semilunar valve closure
D. Is always a normal finding in older adults
Correct answer: B
Rationale: S4 occurs just before S1 when atrial contraction forces blood into a relatively
noncompliant ventricle.
Question 6
Where should the nurse auscultate the apical impulse most directly in an adult?
A. Second right intercostal space
B. Second left intercostal space
C. Left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D. Lower right sternal border
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The apical impulse is normally located around the fifth left intercostal space at the
midclavicular line.
Question 7
Which pulse should the nurse assess when evaluating circulation to the foot?
A. Radial
B. Brachial
, C. Femoral
D. Dorsalis pedis
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The dorsalis pedis pulse assesses arterial perfusion to the foot.
Question 8
A client has a weak, thready peripheral pulse. Which condition should the nurse consider?
A. Increased stroke volume
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Hypervolemia only
D. Increased vascular resistance only
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Weak peripheral pulses may occur when cardiac output or peripheral perfusion is
reduced.
Question 9
Which assessment finding is most concerning for poor peripheral perfusion?
A. Warm extremities
B. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
C. Cool, pale extremity with diminished pulse
D. Symmetric peripheral pulses
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Coolness, pallor, and diminished pulses indicate impaired arterial blood flow.
Question 10
Which assessment best evaluates orthostatic hypotension?
A. Blood pressure after exercise
B. Blood pressure and pulse in different body positions
C. Blood pressure only at bedtime
D. Oxygen saturation after meals
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic assessment compares vital signs between positions, typically lying,
sitting, and standing, while monitoring for symptoms.
Question 11
