Nursing Cardiovascular Pathophysiology 2026
Practice Test Questions Detailed Explanations
Cardiac Disorders Hemodynamics Perfusion
Symptoms Diagnostics Clinical Review
SECTION 1: CARDIAC ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY REVIEW (1–15)
1. A nurse is reviewing cardiac anatomy. Which structure separates the right
atrium from the right ventricle?
A. Mitral valve
B. Tricuspid valve
C. Pulmonic valve
D. Aortic valve
Rationale: The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle.
The mitral valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.
2. A nurse is reviewing cardiac anatomy. Which structure separates the left
atrium from the left ventricle?
A. Tricuspid valve
B. Mitral valve
C. Pulmonic valve
D. Aortic valve
Rationale: The mitral valve (bicuspid valve) separates the left atrium from the left
ventricle.
3. A nurse is reviewing cardiac anatomy. Which valve is located between the
right ventricle and the pulmonary artery?
,A. Tricuspid valve
B. Mitral valve
C. Pulmonic valve
D. Aortic valve
Rationale: The pulmonic valve is located between the right ventricle and the
pulmonary artery.
4. A nurse is reviewing cardiac anatomy. Which valve is located between the
left ventricle and the aorta?
A. Tricuspid valve
B. Mitral valve
C. Pulmonic valve
D. Aortic valve
Rationale: The aortic valve is located between the left ventricle and the aorta.
5. A nurse is reviewing coronary arteries. Which artery supplies blood to the
anterior wall of the left ventricle?
A. Right coronary artery
B. Left anterior descending artery
C. Left circumflex artery
D. Posterior descending artery
Rationale: The left anterior descending (LAD) artery supplies blood to the anterior
wall of the left ventricle and the interventricular septum.
6. A nurse is reviewing coronary arteries. Which artery supplies blood to the
inferior wall of the heart?
A. Left anterior descending artery
B. Left circumflex artery
,C. Right coronary artery
D. Left main coronary artery
Rationale: The right coronary artery supplies blood to the inferior wall of the
heart, including the right ventricle and inferior portion of the left ventricle.
7. A nurse is reviewing coronary arteries. Which artery supplies blood to the
lateral wall of the left ventricle?
A. Right coronary artery
B. Left anterior descending artery
C. Left circumflex artery
D. Posterior descending artery
Rationale: The left circumflex artery supplies blood to the lateral wall of the left
ventricle.
8. A nurse is reviewing the cardiac conduction system. Which structure is the
primary pacemaker of the heart?
A. AV node
B. SA node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node is the primary pacemaker of the heart,
initiating electrical impulses at a rate of 60–100 bpm.
9. A nurse is reviewing the cardiac conduction system. Which structure is the
secondary pacemaker of the heart?
A. SA node
B. AV node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
, Rationale: The atrioventricular (AV) node is the secondary pacemaker, capable of
initiating impulses at a rate of 40–60 bpm if the SA node fails.
10. A nurse is reviewing the cardiac conduction system. Which structure
transmits impulses to the ventricles?
A. SA node
B. AV node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
Rationale: The Bundle of His transmits electrical impulses from the AV node to
the ventricles.
11. A nurse is reviewing cardiac output. Which factor is determined by
preload, afterload, and contractility?
A. Heart rate
B. Stroke volume
C. Cardiac output
D. Blood pressure
Rationale: Stroke volume is determined by preload (ventricular filling), afterload
(resistance to ejection), and contractility (force of contraction).
12. A nurse is reviewing cardiac output. Which formula correctly calculates
cardiac output?
A. Heart rate × Blood pressure
B. Heart rate × Stroke volume
C. Stroke volume × Blood pressure
D. Preload × Afterload
Rationale: Cardiac output is calculated as heart rate multiplied by stroke volume.
Normal cardiac output is 4–8 L/min.
Practice Test Questions Detailed Explanations
Cardiac Disorders Hemodynamics Perfusion
Symptoms Diagnostics Clinical Review
SECTION 1: CARDIAC ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY REVIEW (1–15)
1. A nurse is reviewing cardiac anatomy. Which structure separates the right
atrium from the right ventricle?
A. Mitral valve
B. Tricuspid valve
C. Pulmonic valve
D. Aortic valve
Rationale: The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle.
The mitral valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.
2. A nurse is reviewing cardiac anatomy. Which structure separates the left
atrium from the left ventricle?
A. Tricuspid valve
B. Mitral valve
C. Pulmonic valve
D. Aortic valve
Rationale: The mitral valve (bicuspid valve) separates the left atrium from the left
ventricle.
3. A nurse is reviewing cardiac anatomy. Which valve is located between the
right ventricle and the pulmonary artery?
,A. Tricuspid valve
B. Mitral valve
C. Pulmonic valve
D. Aortic valve
Rationale: The pulmonic valve is located between the right ventricle and the
pulmonary artery.
4. A nurse is reviewing cardiac anatomy. Which valve is located between the
left ventricle and the aorta?
A. Tricuspid valve
B. Mitral valve
C. Pulmonic valve
D. Aortic valve
Rationale: The aortic valve is located between the left ventricle and the aorta.
5. A nurse is reviewing coronary arteries. Which artery supplies blood to the
anterior wall of the left ventricle?
A. Right coronary artery
B. Left anterior descending artery
C. Left circumflex artery
D. Posterior descending artery
Rationale: The left anterior descending (LAD) artery supplies blood to the anterior
wall of the left ventricle and the interventricular septum.
6. A nurse is reviewing coronary arteries. Which artery supplies blood to the
inferior wall of the heart?
A. Left anterior descending artery
B. Left circumflex artery
,C. Right coronary artery
D. Left main coronary artery
Rationale: The right coronary artery supplies blood to the inferior wall of the
heart, including the right ventricle and inferior portion of the left ventricle.
7. A nurse is reviewing coronary arteries. Which artery supplies blood to the
lateral wall of the left ventricle?
A. Right coronary artery
B. Left anterior descending artery
C. Left circumflex artery
D. Posterior descending artery
Rationale: The left circumflex artery supplies blood to the lateral wall of the left
ventricle.
8. A nurse is reviewing the cardiac conduction system. Which structure is the
primary pacemaker of the heart?
A. AV node
B. SA node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node is the primary pacemaker of the heart,
initiating electrical impulses at a rate of 60–100 bpm.
9. A nurse is reviewing the cardiac conduction system. Which structure is the
secondary pacemaker of the heart?
A. SA node
B. AV node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
, Rationale: The atrioventricular (AV) node is the secondary pacemaker, capable of
initiating impulses at a rate of 40–60 bpm if the SA node fails.
10. A nurse is reviewing the cardiac conduction system. Which structure
transmits impulses to the ventricles?
A. SA node
B. AV node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
Rationale: The Bundle of His transmits electrical impulses from the AV node to
the ventricles.
11. A nurse is reviewing cardiac output. Which factor is determined by
preload, afterload, and contractility?
A. Heart rate
B. Stroke volume
C. Cardiac output
D. Blood pressure
Rationale: Stroke volume is determined by preload (ventricular filling), afterload
(resistance to ejection), and contractility (force of contraction).
12. A nurse is reviewing cardiac output. Which formula correctly calculates
cardiac output?
A. Heart rate × Blood pressure
B. Heart rate × Stroke volume
C. Stroke volume × Blood pressure
D. Preload × Afterload
Rationale: Cardiac output is calculated as heart rate multiplied by stroke volume.
Normal cardiac output is 4–8 L/min.
