AACN CSC EXAMS LATEST 2026 PACKAGE DEAL| 2
VERSIONS (EXAM 1 & 2) WITH COMPLETE 700 ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+|
CARDIAC SURGERY CERTIFICATION AACN EXAMS
(MOST RECENT!!)
1. A patient with severe aortic stenosis is scheduled for valve
replacement. Which finding would most increase the risk of
perioperative mortality?
A. Ejection fraction 55%
B. Mean aortic valve gradient 40 mmHg
C. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure 65 mmHg
D. Mild mitral regurgitation
Answer: C
Rationale: Pulmonary hypertension (PASP >60 mmHg) is a
powerful predictor of poor outcomes after valve surgery due to
right ventricular dysfunction and post-op failure.
2. Which scoring system is specifically validated for risk
prediction in cardiac surgery?
A. CHA₂DS₂-VASc
B. EuroSCORE II
1
,C. SOFA
D. RCRI
Answer: B
Rationale: EuroSCORE II and STS (Society of Thoracic Surgeons)
score are cardiac surgery–specific risk models. CHA₂DS₂-
VASc is for stroke risk in atrial fibrillation.
3. Preoperative frailty in a 78-year-old for CABG is best
assessed by:
A. Serum albumin
B. Gait speed and grip strength
C. NYHA class
D. Ejection fraction
Answer: B
Rationale: Frailty is a physical construct; slow gait and weak grip
correlate with increased mortality, prolonged ventilation, and
discharge to facility.
4. A patient with diabetes and CKD stage 3b is scheduled for
CABG. Which medication should be held on the morning of
surgery?
A. Metformin
B. Insulin glargine
2
,C. Aspirin
D. Atorvastatin
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin is held 24–48 hrs preop due to risk of lactic
acidosis and contrast-induced nephropathy.
5. Which lab value suggests high nutritional risk pre-cardiac
surgery?
A. Prealbumin 20 mg/dL
B. Albumin 2.8 g/dL
C. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
D. Lymphocyte count 1800/₂L
Answer: B
Rationale: Albumin <3.0 g/dL indicates poor nutrition, associated
with sternal wound infection and prolonged ICU stay.
6. A patient on ticagrelor for recent stent needs urgent CABG.
How long should ticagrelor be stopped ideally?
A. 24 hours
B. 3 days
C. 5–7 days
D. 10–14 days
Answer: C
3
, Rationale: Ticagrelor (reversible P2Y12 inhibitor) should be
stopped 5–7 days pre-CABG to reduce bleeding risk.
7. What is the most important preoperative test to assess for
carotid artery disease prior to CABG?
A. Carotid duplex ultrasound
B. CT angiogram head
C. Transcranial Doppler
D. MR venography
Answer: A
Rationale: Carotid duplex is noninvasive, detects >50% stenosis,
guides need for concurrent carotid endarterectomy.
8. A preoperative ECG shows left bundle branch block. What
additional study is essential?
A. Troponin I
B. Echocardiogram
C. Holter monitor
D. Stress test
Answer: B
Rationale: LBBB may mask ischemia and impair LV function
assessment; echo evaluates wall motion and ejection fraction.
4
VERSIONS (EXAM 1 & 2) WITH COMPLETE 700 ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+|
CARDIAC SURGERY CERTIFICATION AACN EXAMS
(MOST RECENT!!)
1. A patient with severe aortic stenosis is scheduled for valve
replacement. Which finding would most increase the risk of
perioperative mortality?
A. Ejection fraction 55%
B. Mean aortic valve gradient 40 mmHg
C. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure 65 mmHg
D. Mild mitral regurgitation
Answer: C
Rationale: Pulmonary hypertension (PASP >60 mmHg) is a
powerful predictor of poor outcomes after valve surgery due to
right ventricular dysfunction and post-op failure.
2. Which scoring system is specifically validated for risk
prediction in cardiac surgery?
A. CHA₂DS₂-VASc
B. EuroSCORE II
1
,C. SOFA
D. RCRI
Answer: B
Rationale: EuroSCORE II and STS (Society of Thoracic Surgeons)
score are cardiac surgery–specific risk models. CHA₂DS₂-
VASc is for stroke risk in atrial fibrillation.
3. Preoperative frailty in a 78-year-old for CABG is best
assessed by:
A. Serum albumin
B. Gait speed and grip strength
C. NYHA class
D. Ejection fraction
Answer: B
Rationale: Frailty is a physical construct; slow gait and weak grip
correlate with increased mortality, prolonged ventilation, and
discharge to facility.
4. A patient with diabetes and CKD stage 3b is scheduled for
CABG. Which medication should be held on the morning of
surgery?
A. Metformin
B. Insulin glargine
2
,C. Aspirin
D. Atorvastatin
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin is held 24–48 hrs preop due to risk of lactic
acidosis and contrast-induced nephropathy.
5. Which lab value suggests high nutritional risk pre-cardiac
surgery?
A. Prealbumin 20 mg/dL
B. Albumin 2.8 g/dL
C. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
D. Lymphocyte count 1800/₂L
Answer: B
Rationale: Albumin <3.0 g/dL indicates poor nutrition, associated
with sternal wound infection and prolonged ICU stay.
6. A patient on ticagrelor for recent stent needs urgent CABG.
How long should ticagrelor be stopped ideally?
A. 24 hours
B. 3 days
C. 5–7 days
D. 10–14 days
Answer: C
3
, Rationale: Ticagrelor (reversible P2Y12 inhibitor) should be
stopped 5–7 days pre-CABG to reduce bleeding risk.
7. What is the most important preoperative test to assess for
carotid artery disease prior to CABG?
A. Carotid duplex ultrasound
B. CT angiogram head
C. Transcranial Doppler
D. MR venography
Answer: A
Rationale: Carotid duplex is noninvasive, detects >50% stenosis,
guides need for concurrent carotid endarterectomy.
8. A preoperative ECG shows left bundle branch block. What
additional study is essential?
A. Troponin I
B. Echocardiogram
C. Holter monitor
D. Stress test
Answer: B
Rationale: LBBB may mask ischemia and impair LV function
assessment; echo evaluates wall motion and ejection fraction.
4
