1
, NUR 6121 Exam 1 | (2026) Nursing Exam
Questions | Practice II (PDF)
1. A 58-year-old male with a history of hypertension
presents with sudden onset of severe chest pain radiating
to his back. Blood pressure is 100/60 in the right arm
and 140/80 in the left arm. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Aortic dissection
D) Pericarditis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BP differential between arms and tearing chest
pain radiating to back is classic for aortic dissection. MI
pain is substernal without differential.
2. A patient with heart failure has an ejection fraction of
35%. Which medication class has been shown to reduce
mortality in this condition?
2
,A) Loop diuretics
B) Beta-blockers
C) Calcium channel blockers
D) Nitrates
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-blockers (carvedilol, metoprolol succinate)
reduce mortality in HFrEF by decreasing sympathetic
activation. Loop diuretics manage symptoms but do not
improve survival.
3. A 72-year-old female is on digoxin for atrial
fibrillation. She reports nausea, yellow vision, and fatigue.
What lab value is most critical to check?
A) Troponin I
B) Digoxin level
C) BNP
D) Creatinine kinase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Yellow vision and nausea indicate digoxin
3
, toxicity. Digoxin level (therapeutic 0.5–0.9 ng/mL) is
essential.
4. Which ECG finding is most characteristic of pericarditis?
A) ST-segment elevation in a single lead
B) Diffuse ST-segment elevation with PR depression
C) Deep Q waves in inferior leads
D) Tall peaked T waves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pericarditis causes diffuse ST elevation and PR
depression due to inflammation of the epicardial surface.
5. A patient with unstable angina receives aspirin and
nitroglycerin but continues to have chest pain. What is the
next best step?
A) Morphine sulfate
B) Metoprolol IV
C) Heparin infusion
D) Cardiac catheterization
Correct Answer: A
4
, NUR 6121 Exam 1 | (2026) Nursing Exam
Questions | Practice II (PDF)
1. A 58-year-old male with a history of hypertension
presents with sudden onset of severe chest pain radiating
to his back. Blood pressure is 100/60 in the right arm
and 140/80 in the left arm. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Aortic dissection
D) Pericarditis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BP differential between arms and tearing chest
pain radiating to back is classic for aortic dissection. MI
pain is substernal without differential.
2. A patient with heart failure has an ejection fraction of
35%. Which medication class has been shown to reduce
mortality in this condition?
2
,A) Loop diuretics
B) Beta-blockers
C) Calcium channel blockers
D) Nitrates
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-blockers (carvedilol, metoprolol succinate)
reduce mortality in HFrEF by decreasing sympathetic
activation. Loop diuretics manage symptoms but do not
improve survival.
3. A 72-year-old female is on digoxin for atrial
fibrillation. She reports nausea, yellow vision, and fatigue.
What lab value is most critical to check?
A) Troponin I
B) Digoxin level
C) BNP
D) Creatinine kinase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Yellow vision and nausea indicate digoxin
3
, toxicity. Digoxin level (therapeutic 0.5–0.9 ng/mL) is
essential.
4. Which ECG finding is most characteristic of pericarditis?
A) ST-segment elevation in a single lead
B) Diffuse ST-segment elevation with PR depression
C) Deep Q waves in inferior leads
D) Tall peaked T waves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pericarditis causes diffuse ST elevation and PR
depression due to inflammation of the epicardial surface.
5. A patient with unstable angina receives aspirin and
nitroglycerin but continues to have chest pain. What is the
next best step?
A) Morphine sulfate
B) Metoprolol IV
C) Heparin infusion
D) Cardiac catheterization
Correct Answer: A
4
