ATI Medical-Surgical Cardiovascular Exam
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who reports substernal chest
pressure that began while walking and resolves after several
minutes of rest. Which type of angina should the nurse
suspect?
A. Prinzmetal angina
B. Unstable angina
C. Stable angina
D. Silent myocardial ischemia
Rationale: Stable angina is predictable and commonly occurs
when myocardial oxygen demand increases, such as during
exercise or emotional stress. The discomfort typically improves
with rest or prescribed nitroglycerin. Unstable angina is more
concerning because it can occur at rest or demonstrate a new,
worsening, or crescendo pattern. Prinzmetal angina is
,associated with coronary vasospasm and commonly occurs at
rest.
Question 2
A client experiencing acute chest pain has a prescription for
sublingual nitroglycerin. Which statement by the client indicates
correct understanding of the medication?
A. "I should swallow the tablet with a full glass of water."
B. "I should take the medication only after the pain has
completely resolved."
C. "I should place the tablet under my tongue and allow it to
dissolve."
D. "I should take all three tablets at the same time if the pain is
severe."
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue
and allowed to dissolve so the medication can be absorbed
rapidly. It is used for acute anginal episodes according to the
prescribed dosing instructions. The client should not swallow the
tablet whole or take multiple doses simultaneously. Severe or
persistent chest pain requires emergency evaluation rather than
repeated self-treatment.
Question 3
,A nurse is caring for a client who has suspected myocardial
infarction. Which finding requires the most immediate
attention?
A. Nausea
B. Anxiety
C. Diaphoresis
D. New-onset ventricular dysrhythmia
Rationale: A new ventricular dysrhythmia can rapidly
compromise cardiac output and may progress to ventricular
tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. These rhythms can
become immediately life-threatening. Nausea, anxiety, and
diaphoresis are recognized manifestations associated with
myocardial ischemia, but a dangerous ventricular rhythm
represents the most immediate threat to circulation.
Question 4
A client with coronary artery disease asks why smoking
cessation is recommended. Which response by the nurse is
best?
A. "Smoking primarily increases your risk for respiratory
infections."
B. "Smoking prevents all cardiovascular medications from
working."
, C. "Smoking promotes vascular injury and increases
cardiovascular risk."
D. "Smoking causes hypertension only when you are physically
active."
Rationale: Tobacco exposure contributes to endothelial injury,
vasoconstriction, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and increased
cardiovascular morbidity. Smoking cessation is therefore a
major modifiable intervention for reducing cardiovascular risk.
The benefit is not limited to respiratory health, and smoking
does not simply interfere with cardiovascular medications.
Question 5
A nurse is evaluating a client who has left-sided heart failure.
Which finding is most consistent with this condition?
A. Ascites
B. Dependent peripheral edema
C. Hepatomegaly
D. Crackles in the lungs
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into
the pulmonary circulation, producing pulmonary congestion.
Crackles, dyspnea, orthopnea, and pulmonary edema may
occur. Right-sided heart failure more commonly causes systemic
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who reports substernal chest
pressure that began while walking and resolves after several
minutes of rest. Which type of angina should the nurse
suspect?
A. Prinzmetal angina
B. Unstable angina
C. Stable angina
D. Silent myocardial ischemia
Rationale: Stable angina is predictable and commonly occurs
when myocardial oxygen demand increases, such as during
exercise or emotional stress. The discomfort typically improves
with rest or prescribed nitroglycerin. Unstable angina is more
concerning because it can occur at rest or demonstrate a new,
worsening, or crescendo pattern. Prinzmetal angina is
,associated with coronary vasospasm and commonly occurs at
rest.
Question 2
A client experiencing acute chest pain has a prescription for
sublingual nitroglycerin. Which statement by the client indicates
correct understanding of the medication?
A. "I should swallow the tablet with a full glass of water."
B. "I should take the medication only after the pain has
completely resolved."
C. "I should place the tablet under my tongue and allow it to
dissolve."
D. "I should take all three tablets at the same time if the pain is
severe."
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue
and allowed to dissolve so the medication can be absorbed
rapidly. It is used for acute anginal episodes according to the
prescribed dosing instructions. The client should not swallow the
tablet whole or take multiple doses simultaneously. Severe or
persistent chest pain requires emergency evaluation rather than
repeated self-treatment.
Question 3
,A nurse is caring for a client who has suspected myocardial
infarction. Which finding requires the most immediate
attention?
A. Nausea
B. Anxiety
C. Diaphoresis
D. New-onset ventricular dysrhythmia
Rationale: A new ventricular dysrhythmia can rapidly
compromise cardiac output and may progress to ventricular
tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. These rhythms can
become immediately life-threatening. Nausea, anxiety, and
diaphoresis are recognized manifestations associated with
myocardial ischemia, but a dangerous ventricular rhythm
represents the most immediate threat to circulation.
Question 4
A client with coronary artery disease asks why smoking
cessation is recommended. Which response by the nurse is
best?
A. "Smoking primarily increases your risk for respiratory
infections."
B. "Smoking prevents all cardiovascular medications from
working."
, C. "Smoking promotes vascular injury and increases
cardiovascular risk."
D. "Smoking causes hypertension only when you are physically
active."
Rationale: Tobacco exposure contributes to endothelial injury,
vasoconstriction, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and increased
cardiovascular morbidity. Smoking cessation is therefore a
major modifiable intervention for reducing cardiovascular risk.
The benefit is not limited to respiratory health, and smoking
does not simply interfere with cardiovascular medications.
Question 5
A nurse is evaluating a client who has left-sided heart failure.
Which finding is most consistent with this condition?
A. Ascites
B. Dependent peripheral edema
C. Hepatomegaly
D. Crackles in the lungs
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into
the pulmonary circulation, producing pulmonary congestion.
Crackles, dyspnea, orthopnea, and pulmonary edema may
occur. Right-sided heart failure more commonly causes systemic
