,NUR 2502 Exam 3 | Multidimensional Care III
(2026) Q&A | Rasmussen College
1. The nurse is teaching a client about the properties of cardiac cells. Which
property allows the heart to generate impulses independently?
A) Contractility
B) Conductivity
C) Excitability
D) Automaticity
Correct Answer: D) Automaticity
Rationale: Automaticity is the unique ability of cardiac pacemaker cells to
initiate electrical impulses spontaneously and repetitively. Contractility is the
mechanical squeezing; conductivity transmits impulses; excitability responds to
stimuli. Automaticity maintains the intrinsic rhythm.
2. During diastole, the ventricles are primarily
A) contracting and ejecting blood
B) relaxing and filling with blood
C) generating the peak systolic pressure
D) depolarizing in response to the SA node
Correct Answer: B) relaxing and filling with blood
Rationale: Diastole is the relaxation phase when the ventricles fill with blood
from the atria. Systole is the contraction and ejection phase. The first two-thirds
,of the cardiac cycle are diastolic, which is crucial for coronary perfusion and
cardiac filling.
3. The cardiac conduction impulse is briefly delayed at which structure to allow
for complete ventricular filling?
A) SA node
B) AV node
C) Bundle of His
D) Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: B) AV node
Rationale: The atrioventricular (AV) node delays the impulse, giving the atria
time to contract and completely fill the ventricles before ventricular
contraction. The SA node initiates the impulse; the bundle of His and Purkinje
fibers rapidly distribute the impulse.
4. The final volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole is known as
A) stroke volume
B) afterload
C) ejection fraction
D) preload
Correct Answer: D) preload
, Rationale: Preload, or end‑diastolic volume, is the degree of myocardial fiber
stretch just before contraction. It is determined by the volume of blood
returning to the heart. Stroke volume is the amount ejected; afterload is
resistance; ejection fraction is the percentage pumped out.
5. A client's blood pressure drops by 25 mm Hg systolic upon standing. The
nurse documents this finding as
A) paradoxical blood pressure
B) orthostatic hypotension
C) pulse pressure narrowing
D) hypertensive crisis
Correct Answer: B) orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic BP of ≥20 mm
Hg or diastolic BP of ≥10 mm Hg upon standing, often with an increase in heart
rate. It can cause dizziness and falls. Paradoxical BP is an exaggerated decrease
during inspiration.
6. The nurse is assessing a client with left‑sided heart failure. Which clinical
manifestation is most characteristic?
A) Jugular vein distention
B) Peripheral edema
C) Ascites
D) Crackles in the lungs
Correct Answer: D) Crackles in the lungs
(2026) Q&A | Rasmussen College
1. The nurse is teaching a client about the properties of cardiac cells. Which
property allows the heart to generate impulses independently?
A) Contractility
B) Conductivity
C) Excitability
D) Automaticity
Correct Answer: D) Automaticity
Rationale: Automaticity is the unique ability of cardiac pacemaker cells to
initiate electrical impulses spontaneously and repetitively. Contractility is the
mechanical squeezing; conductivity transmits impulses; excitability responds to
stimuli. Automaticity maintains the intrinsic rhythm.
2. During diastole, the ventricles are primarily
A) contracting and ejecting blood
B) relaxing and filling with blood
C) generating the peak systolic pressure
D) depolarizing in response to the SA node
Correct Answer: B) relaxing and filling with blood
Rationale: Diastole is the relaxation phase when the ventricles fill with blood
from the atria. Systole is the contraction and ejection phase. The first two-thirds
,of the cardiac cycle are diastolic, which is crucial for coronary perfusion and
cardiac filling.
3. The cardiac conduction impulse is briefly delayed at which structure to allow
for complete ventricular filling?
A) SA node
B) AV node
C) Bundle of His
D) Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: B) AV node
Rationale: The atrioventricular (AV) node delays the impulse, giving the atria
time to contract and completely fill the ventricles before ventricular
contraction. The SA node initiates the impulse; the bundle of His and Purkinje
fibers rapidly distribute the impulse.
4. The final volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole is known as
A) stroke volume
B) afterload
C) ejection fraction
D) preload
Correct Answer: D) preload
, Rationale: Preload, or end‑diastolic volume, is the degree of myocardial fiber
stretch just before contraction. It is determined by the volume of blood
returning to the heart. Stroke volume is the amount ejected; afterload is
resistance; ejection fraction is the percentage pumped out.
5. A client's blood pressure drops by 25 mm Hg systolic upon standing. The
nurse documents this finding as
A) paradoxical blood pressure
B) orthostatic hypotension
C) pulse pressure narrowing
D) hypertensive crisis
Correct Answer: B) orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic BP of ≥20 mm
Hg or diastolic BP of ≥10 mm Hg upon standing, often with an increase in heart
rate. It can cause dizziness and falls. Paradoxical BP is an exaggerated decrease
during inspiration.
6. The nurse is assessing a client with left‑sided heart failure. Which clinical
manifestation is most characteristic?
A) Jugular vein distention
B) Peripheral edema
C) Ascites
D) Crackles in the lungs
Correct Answer: D) Crackles in the lungs
