Barkley Cardiovascular Exam Practice Questions
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SECTION 1: CARDIAC PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT AND AUSCULTATION
Question 1
A 62-year-old patient presents with exertional substernal chest pressure
that resolves after resting for 5 minutes. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Acute pericarditis
B. Stable angina
C. Aortic dissection
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B. Stable angina
Rationale: Stable angina typically causes predictable exertional
chest discomfort that improves with rest or nitroglycerin.
Question 2
Which symptom is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Ascites
,C. Orthopnea
D. Hepatomegaly
Correct Answer: C. Orthopnea
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion,
producing dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
Question 3
Which physical finding is most associated with right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Pink frothy sputum
D. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: B. Jugular venous distention
Rationale: Systemic venous congestion from right-sided heart
failure commonly produces JVD, peripheral edema, hepatomegaly,
and ascites.
Question 4
A patient has an S3 gallop. In an adult, this finding most strongly suggests:
A. Increased ventricular compliance
B. Volume overload or systolic dysfunction
C. Aortic stenosis
D. Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B. Volume overload or systolic dysfunction
Rationale: An S3 in an adult is often associated with increased
,ventricular filling and volume overload, particularly in systolic heart
failure.
Question 5
An S4 heart sound is most commonly associated with:
A. Ventricular volume overload
B. Reduced ventricular compliance
C. Severe tricuspid regurgitation
D. Complete heart block
Correct Answer: B. Reduced ventricular compliance
Rationale: S4 occurs when atrial contraction forces blood into a stiff
ventricle and is commonly associated with hypertension, LV
hypertrophy, and diastolic dysfunction.
Question 6
Which blood pressure reading meets the definition of stage 2
hypertension under current ACC/AHA classification?
A. 124/78 mmHg
B. 132/84 mmHg
C. 138/88 mmHg
D. 146/92 mmHg
Correct Answer: D. 146/92 mmHg
Rationale: Stage 2 hypertension is defined as systolic pressure ≥140
mmHg or diastolic pressure ≥90 mmHg.
, Question 7
Which lifestyle intervention generally produces the greatest reduction in
blood pressure in a patient with overweight or obesity?
A. Increased dietary sodium
B. Weight loss
C. Increased caffeine intake
D. Avoiding all carbohydrates
Correct Answer: B. Weight loss
Rationale: Weight reduction can substantially lower blood pressure
and also improves several cardiovascular risk factors.
Question 8
The preferred dietary pattern for patients with hypertension is the:
A. Ketogenic diet
B. DASH diet
C. Carnivore diet
D. High-sodium diet
Correct Answer: B. DASH diet
Rationale: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension pattern
emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and low-fat
dairy while limiting sodium and saturated fat.
Question 9
A patient with hypertension has persistent blood pressure of 168/96
mmHg. Which approach is generally appropriate when pharmacologic
therapy is indicated?
|Original Questions & Answers |Detailed
Rationales |Hinted Complete Exam Prep Graded
A+*Instant Download Pdf
SECTION 1: CARDIAC PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT AND AUSCULTATION
Question 1
A 62-year-old patient presents with exertional substernal chest pressure
that resolves after resting for 5 minutes. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Acute pericarditis
B. Stable angina
C. Aortic dissection
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B. Stable angina
Rationale: Stable angina typically causes predictable exertional
chest discomfort that improves with rest or nitroglycerin.
Question 2
Which symptom is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Ascites
,C. Orthopnea
D. Hepatomegaly
Correct Answer: C. Orthopnea
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion,
producing dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
Question 3
Which physical finding is most associated with right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Pink frothy sputum
D. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: B. Jugular venous distention
Rationale: Systemic venous congestion from right-sided heart
failure commonly produces JVD, peripheral edema, hepatomegaly,
and ascites.
Question 4
A patient has an S3 gallop. In an adult, this finding most strongly suggests:
A. Increased ventricular compliance
B. Volume overload or systolic dysfunction
C. Aortic stenosis
D. Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B. Volume overload or systolic dysfunction
Rationale: An S3 in an adult is often associated with increased
,ventricular filling and volume overload, particularly in systolic heart
failure.
Question 5
An S4 heart sound is most commonly associated with:
A. Ventricular volume overload
B. Reduced ventricular compliance
C. Severe tricuspid regurgitation
D. Complete heart block
Correct Answer: B. Reduced ventricular compliance
Rationale: S4 occurs when atrial contraction forces blood into a stiff
ventricle and is commonly associated with hypertension, LV
hypertrophy, and diastolic dysfunction.
Question 6
Which blood pressure reading meets the definition of stage 2
hypertension under current ACC/AHA classification?
A. 124/78 mmHg
B. 132/84 mmHg
C. 138/88 mmHg
D. 146/92 mmHg
Correct Answer: D. 146/92 mmHg
Rationale: Stage 2 hypertension is defined as systolic pressure ≥140
mmHg or diastolic pressure ≥90 mmHg.
, Question 7
Which lifestyle intervention generally produces the greatest reduction in
blood pressure in a patient with overweight or obesity?
A. Increased dietary sodium
B. Weight loss
C. Increased caffeine intake
D. Avoiding all carbohydrates
Correct Answer: B. Weight loss
Rationale: Weight reduction can substantially lower blood pressure
and also improves several cardiovascular risk factors.
Question 8
The preferred dietary pattern for patients with hypertension is the:
A. Ketogenic diet
B. DASH diet
C. Carnivore diet
D. High-sodium diet
Correct Answer: B. DASH diet
Rationale: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension pattern
emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and low-fat
dairy while limiting sodium and saturated fat.
Question 9
A patient with hypertension has persistent blood pressure of 168/96
mmHg. Which approach is generally appropriate when pharmacologic
therapy is indicated?
