EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ A patient who has just arrived in the emergency department
reports substernal and left arm discomfort that has been going on
for about 3 hours. Which laboratory test will be most useful in
determining whether the nurse should anticipate implementing the
acute coronary syndrome standard protocol? Answer: Troponin I
◉ A patient seen in the clinic with shortness of breath and fatigue is
being evaluated for a possible diagnosis of heart failure. Which
laboratory result will be most useful to monitor? Answer: B-type
Natriuretic Peptide
◉ The emergency department nurse is caring for a patient who was
just admitted with left anterior chest pain, suggesting possible acute
myocardial infarction (MI). Which action will the nurse take first?
Answer: Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
◉ The health care provider prescribes these actions for a patient
who was admitted with acute substernal chest pain. Which actions
are appropriate to assign to an experienced LPN/LVN who is
working in the emergency department? Select all that apply Answer:
o Obtaining a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
,o Attaching cardiac monitor leads
o Having patient chew and swallow aspirin 162mg
◉ The nurse is working in an outpatient clinic where many vascular
diagnostic tests are performed. Which task associated with vascular
testing is most appropriate to delegate to experienced assistive
personnel (AP)? Answer: Measuring ankle and brachial pressures in
a patient for whom the ankle-brachial index is to be calculated
◉ When the nurse is monitoring a 53-year-old patient who is
undergoing a treadmill stress test, which finding will require the
most immediate action? Answer: Three PVCs in a row
◉ P Wave Represents Answer: The P wave represents the electrical
impulse starting in the SA node and spreading through the atria.
Therefore, the P wave represents atrial depolarization. It usually is
2.5 mm or less in height and 0.11 seconds or less in duration.
◉ QRS Time Frame Answer: The QRS complex is normally less than
0.12 seconds in duration.
◉ QRS Complex Represents Answer: ventricular depolarization
,◉ T Wave Represents Answer: The T wave represents ventricular
repolarization (when the cells regain a negative charge; also called
the resting state).
◉ The PR Interval Time Frame Answer: In adults, the PR interval
typically ranges from 0.12 to 0.20 seconds in duration.
◉ What is the PR Interval Answer: The PR interval is measured from
the beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex. It
represents the time needed for sinus node stimulation, atrial
depolarization, and conduction through the AV node before
ventricular depolarization
◉ What is the ST Segment Answer: The ST segment, which
represents early ventricular repolarization, lasts from the end of the
QRS complex to the beginning of the T wave.
◉ QT Interval Time Frame Answer: The QT interval is usually 0.32 to
0.40 seconds in duration if the heart rate is 65 to 95 bpm.
◉ Complication of Long QT Answer: Many medications commonly
given in the hospital can cause prolongation of the QT interval (QTc),
placing the patient at risk for a lethal ventricular dysrhythmia called
torsades de pointes
, ◉ What is the QT Interval Answer: represents the total time for
ventricular depolarization and repolarization, is measured from the
beginning of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave
◉ Procainamide Class, Use, and Adverse Effects Answer: •Functional
Class: Antidysrhythmic
•Therapeutic USE: Life threatening atrial and ventricular arrythmias
•Side Effects: hypotension, headache, dizziness
•Adverse Effects: Heart block, cardiovascular collapse lupus like
symptoms.
◉ Amiodarone Class, Use, and Adverse Effects Answer: •Functional
Class: Antidysrhythmic
•Therapeutic Use: Hemodynamically unstable ventricular
tachycardia, SVT, Vfibnot controlled by 1st line agents (Epinephrine)
•Side Effects: Hypotension, dizziness, fatigue, bradycardia
•Adverse Effects: Hepatotoxic, Pneumotoxic
Get baselines before giving
◉ Heparin Class, Use, and Adverse Effects Answer: •Functional
Class: Anticoagulant, Antithrombotic
•Therapeutic Use: Thrombosis prevention in MI, PE, open Heart
Surgery, DVT
•Side Effects: rash, fever, hyperkalemia