NUR 255 EXAM 1 TEST BANK QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | GALEN COLLEGE NCLEX REVIEW 2… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
NUR 255 Exam 1 Test Bank
Questions & Answers | Galen
College NCLEX Review
2026/2027
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
93 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document features 93 exam questions along with their correct answers and comprehensive rationales,
focusing on cardiovascular nursing concepts. It serves as an effective resource for students preparing for
the NCLEX, allowing for targeted study, review, and reinforcement of key principles in cardiovascular
assessment and management.
CONTENTS
01 Cardiac Anatomy Q1–Q7
02 Pericarditis Assessment Q8–Q17
03 Cardiac Tamponade Q18–Q24
04 Cardiomyopathy Overview Q25–Q34
05 Echocardiogram Findings Q35–Q44
06 Diagnostic Testing Q45–Q48
07 Cardiac Dysrhythmias Q49–Q58
Page 1
, 08 Heart Failure Management Q59–Q63
09 Additional Questions Q64–Q93
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 93
Deoxygenated blood returns to the right atrium through specific vessels. Identify which of the following vessels
contributes to this process.
A) pulmonary artery
B) inferior vena cava
C) superior vena cava
D) pulmonary vein
CORRECT ANSWER
B) inferior vena cava
C) superior vena cava
RATIONALE
Blood from systemic circulation enters the right atrium via the inferior and superior vena cava, while the pulmonary artery carries
deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation, highlighting the distinct roles of these vessels in
circulation.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 93
Identify the coronary artery that predominantly supplies the inferior aspects of the heart's ventral surface.
A) left marginal artery
B) right coronary artery
C) circumflex artery
D) left anterior descending artery
CORRECT ANSWER
D) left anterior descending artery
RATIONALE
The left anterior descending artery primarily provides blood flow to the inferior regions of the heart, ensuring adequate
oxygenation for the left ventricle, which is crucial for effective cardiac output. Understanding coronary artery distribution is for
managing cardiac conditions and preventing ischemic damage.
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 93
During a cardiac assessment, a nurse evaluates a patient diagnosed with right ventricular hypertrophy. The nurse notes
that the blood is flowing from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. Which valve is responsible for this blood flow?
A) mitral valve
B) tricuspid valve
C) pulmonic valve
D) aortic valve
CORRECT ANSWER
C) pulmonic valve
RATIONALE
The pulmonic valve regulates blood flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery, where it is transported to the lungs for
oxygenation. Understanding the pathway of blood flow is crucial for assessing cardiac function and identifying potential issues in
patients with heart conditions.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 93
When blood flows from the right atrium to the right ventricle, it must first pass through which anatomical structure that
regulates this movement?
A) Mitral valve
B) Aortic valve
C) Tricuspid valve
D) Pulmonary valve
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Tricuspid valve
RATIONALE
Blood must pass through the tricuspid valve to prevent backflow during ventricular contraction, ensuring efficient circulation and
maintaining hemodynamic stability within the cardiac cycle.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 93
Blood that has been oxygenated travels primarily through which structure before entering systemic circulation?
A) Right atrium
B) Left ventricle
Page 3
, C) Left atrium
D) Right ventricle
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Left atrium
RATIONALE
Oxygenated blood from the lungs returns to the left atrium via the pulmonary veins, where it is then pumped into the left ventricle
for systemic distribution, highlighting the importance of atrial function in maintaining efficient circulation.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 93
Following the return of oxygenated blood from the pulmonary circulation, which structure must it traverse to move from
the left atrium into the left ventricle before being ejected into the aorta?
A) Aortic valve
B) Pulmonary valve
C) Tricuspid valve
D) Mitral valve
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Mitral valve
RATIONALE
The mitral valve acts as a one-way gate allowing blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle, preventing backflow during
ventricular contraction, which is critical for effective systemic circulation.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 93
In the context of cardiovascular physiology, which type of blood is transported through the pulmonary veins to the heart's
left atrium?
A) Deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation
B) Oxygenated blood from the lungs
C) Oxygen-depleted blood from the right ventricle
D) Nutrient-rich blood from the liver
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Oxygenated blood from the lungs
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
NUR 255 Exam 1 Test Bank
Questions & Answers | Galen
College NCLEX Review
2026/2027
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
93 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document features 93 exam questions along with their correct answers and comprehensive rationales,
focusing on cardiovascular nursing concepts. It serves as an effective resource for students preparing for
the NCLEX, allowing for targeted study, review, and reinforcement of key principles in cardiovascular
assessment and management.
CONTENTS
01 Cardiac Anatomy Q1–Q7
02 Pericarditis Assessment Q8–Q17
03 Cardiac Tamponade Q18–Q24
04 Cardiomyopathy Overview Q25–Q34
05 Echocardiogram Findings Q35–Q44
06 Diagnostic Testing Q45–Q48
07 Cardiac Dysrhythmias Q49–Q58
Page 1
, 08 Heart Failure Management Q59–Q63
09 Additional Questions Q64–Q93
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 93
Deoxygenated blood returns to the right atrium through specific vessels. Identify which of the following vessels
contributes to this process.
A) pulmonary artery
B) inferior vena cava
C) superior vena cava
D) pulmonary vein
CORRECT ANSWER
B) inferior vena cava
C) superior vena cava
RATIONALE
Blood from systemic circulation enters the right atrium via the inferior and superior vena cava, while the pulmonary artery carries
deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation, highlighting the distinct roles of these vessels in
circulation.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 93
Identify the coronary artery that predominantly supplies the inferior aspects of the heart's ventral surface.
A) left marginal artery
B) right coronary artery
C) circumflex artery
D) left anterior descending artery
CORRECT ANSWER
D) left anterior descending artery
RATIONALE
The left anterior descending artery primarily provides blood flow to the inferior regions of the heart, ensuring adequate
oxygenation for the left ventricle, which is crucial for effective cardiac output. Understanding coronary artery distribution is for
managing cardiac conditions and preventing ischemic damage.
Page 2
, Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 93
During a cardiac assessment, a nurse evaluates a patient diagnosed with right ventricular hypertrophy. The nurse notes
that the blood is flowing from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. Which valve is responsible for this blood flow?
A) mitral valve
B) tricuspid valve
C) pulmonic valve
D) aortic valve
CORRECT ANSWER
C) pulmonic valve
RATIONALE
The pulmonic valve regulates blood flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery, where it is transported to the lungs for
oxygenation. Understanding the pathway of blood flow is crucial for assessing cardiac function and identifying potential issues in
patients with heart conditions.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 93
When blood flows from the right atrium to the right ventricle, it must first pass through which anatomical structure that
regulates this movement?
A) Mitral valve
B) Aortic valve
C) Tricuspid valve
D) Pulmonary valve
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Tricuspid valve
RATIONALE
Blood must pass through the tricuspid valve to prevent backflow during ventricular contraction, ensuring efficient circulation and
maintaining hemodynamic stability within the cardiac cycle.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 93
Blood that has been oxygenated travels primarily through which structure before entering systemic circulation?
A) Right atrium
B) Left ventricle
Page 3
, C) Left atrium
D) Right ventricle
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Left atrium
RATIONALE
Oxygenated blood from the lungs returns to the left atrium via the pulmonary veins, where it is then pumped into the left ventricle
for systemic distribution, highlighting the importance of atrial function in maintaining efficient circulation.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 93
Following the return of oxygenated blood from the pulmonary circulation, which structure must it traverse to move from
the left atrium into the left ventricle before being ejected into the aorta?
A) Aortic valve
B) Pulmonary valve
C) Tricuspid valve
D) Mitral valve
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Mitral valve
RATIONALE
The mitral valve acts as a one-way gate allowing blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle, preventing backflow during
ventricular contraction, which is critical for effective systemic circulation.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 93
In the context of cardiovascular physiology, which type of blood is transported through the pulmonary veins to the heart's
left atrium?
A) Deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation
B) Oxygenated blood from the lungs
C) Oxygen-depleted blood from the right ventricle
D) Nutrient-rich blood from the liver
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Oxygenated blood from the lungs
Page 4
