Critical Care: Cardiac Practice Questions and
Correct Answers
Question 1
A patient is receiving treatment for stable coronary artery disease. The doctor
prescribes the patient Plavix. What important information will you include in the
patient's teaching? Select-all-that-apply:
A. If you are scheduled for any planned surgical procedures, let your doctor know you
are taking Plavix because this medication will need to be discontinued 5-7 days prior
to the procedure.
B. A normal side effect of this medication is a dry cough.
C. Avoid green leafy vegetables while taking Plavix.
D. Notify the doctor, immediately, if you develop bruising, problems urinating, or
fever.
Correct Answer
A, D
Question 2
The nurse is planning to administer hydrocholothiazide to a client. the nurse should
monitor for which adverse reaction?
A. Hypouricemia, Hyperkalemia
B. Increased risk of osteoporosis
C. Hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, sulfa allergy
D. HyperKalemia, hypoglycemia, penicillin allergy
Correct Answer
C
Page 1 of 51
,Question 3
The nurse cares for a client at risk for premature ventricular contractions (PVC). When
monitoring the clients ECG rhythm, what characteristics indicate PVC?
A. Wide QRS complexes and inverted P waves
B. Narrow QRS complexes and no P waves
C. Narrow QRS complexes and peaked P waves
D. Wide QRS complexes and no P waves
Correct Answer
D
Question 4
A nurse cares for a client with pericarditis and notes inverted T waves on the ECG.
What priority intervention by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Notify HCP
B. Assess the client for chest discomfort
C. Obtain vital signs including O2 sat
D. administer O2 100%
Correct Answer
B
Inverted or depressed T waves on the patients EKG indicates tissue ischemia or
decreased O2 to the tissues
Question 5
The nurse provides pre-procedure education to a client scheduled to have a cardiac
catheterization. which statement does the nurse include?
A. " The procedure is performed at the bedside"
B. " You may feel flushing, warmth, or palpitations during the procedure."
C. "There may at first be some intense pain that resolves quickly."
D. "you may develop a headache but this is normal"
Correct Answer
B
Page 2 of 51
,Question 6
True or False: ACE inhibitors work to decrease the workload on the heart by blocking
the conversion of Angiotensin II to Angiotensin I which causes vasodilation.
Correct Answer
False
Question 7
The nurse is concerned about a deteriorating client. Which signs of cardiogenic shock
does the nurse expect?
Select all that apply
1. HR of 126bpm
2. Urine Output 20ml/hr
3. cool and moist skin
4. bounding pedal pulse
5.bp 88/46
Correct Answer
1, 2, 3, 5
Question 8
A patient taking Zocor is reporting muscle pain. You are evaluating the patient's lab
work and note that which of the following findings could cause muscle pain?
A. Elevated potassium level
B. Elevated CPK (creatine kinase level)
C. Decreased potassium level
D. Decreased CPK (creatine kinase level)
Correct Answer
B
Page 3 of 51
, Question 9
Which of the following symptoms might a client with right-sided heart failure exhibit?
A. Adequate urine output
B. Polyuria
C. Oliguria
D. Polydipsia
Correct Answer
C
Inadequate deactivation of aldosterone by the liver after right-sided heart failure
leads to fluid retention, which causes oliguria
Question 10
Which of the following conditions is most commonly responsible for myocardial
infarction?
A. Aneurysm
B. Heart failure
C. Coronary artery thrombosis
D. Renal failure
Correct Answer
C
Question 11
Which of the following tests/procedures are NOT used to diagnose heart failure?
A. Echocardiogram
B. Brain natriuretic peptide blood test
C. Nuclear stress test
D. Holter monitoring
Correct Answer
d
Page 4 of 51
Correct Answers
Question 1
A patient is receiving treatment for stable coronary artery disease. The doctor
prescribes the patient Plavix. What important information will you include in the
patient's teaching? Select-all-that-apply:
A. If you are scheduled for any planned surgical procedures, let your doctor know you
are taking Plavix because this medication will need to be discontinued 5-7 days prior
to the procedure.
B. A normal side effect of this medication is a dry cough.
C. Avoid green leafy vegetables while taking Plavix.
D. Notify the doctor, immediately, if you develop bruising, problems urinating, or
fever.
Correct Answer
A, D
Question 2
The nurse is planning to administer hydrocholothiazide to a client. the nurse should
monitor for which adverse reaction?
A. Hypouricemia, Hyperkalemia
B. Increased risk of osteoporosis
C. Hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, sulfa allergy
D. HyperKalemia, hypoglycemia, penicillin allergy
Correct Answer
C
Page 1 of 51
,Question 3
The nurse cares for a client at risk for premature ventricular contractions (PVC). When
monitoring the clients ECG rhythm, what characteristics indicate PVC?
A. Wide QRS complexes and inverted P waves
B. Narrow QRS complexes and no P waves
C. Narrow QRS complexes and peaked P waves
D. Wide QRS complexes and no P waves
Correct Answer
D
Question 4
A nurse cares for a client with pericarditis and notes inverted T waves on the ECG.
What priority intervention by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Notify HCP
B. Assess the client for chest discomfort
C. Obtain vital signs including O2 sat
D. administer O2 100%
Correct Answer
B
Inverted or depressed T waves on the patients EKG indicates tissue ischemia or
decreased O2 to the tissues
Question 5
The nurse provides pre-procedure education to a client scheduled to have a cardiac
catheterization. which statement does the nurse include?
A. " The procedure is performed at the bedside"
B. " You may feel flushing, warmth, or palpitations during the procedure."
C. "There may at first be some intense pain that resolves quickly."
D. "you may develop a headache but this is normal"
Correct Answer
B
Page 2 of 51
,Question 6
True or False: ACE inhibitors work to decrease the workload on the heart by blocking
the conversion of Angiotensin II to Angiotensin I which causes vasodilation.
Correct Answer
False
Question 7
The nurse is concerned about a deteriorating client. Which signs of cardiogenic shock
does the nurse expect?
Select all that apply
1. HR of 126bpm
2. Urine Output 20ml/hr
3. cool and moist skin
4. bounding pedal pulse
5.bp 88/46
Correct Answer
1, 2, 3, 5
Question 8
A patient taking Zocor is reporting muscle pain. You are evaluating the patient's lab
work and note that which of the following findings could cause muscle pain?
A. Elevated potassium level
B. Elevated CPK (creatine kinase level)
C. Decreased potassium level
D. Decreased CPK (creatine kinase level)
Correct Answer
B
Page 3 of 51
, Question 9
Which of the following symptoms might a client with right-sided heart failure exhibit?
A. Adequate urine output
B. Polyuria
C. Oliguria
D. Polydipsia
Correct Answer
C
Inadequate deactivation of aldosterone by the liver after right-sided heart failure
leads to fluid retention, which causes oliguria
Question 10
Which of the following conditions is most commonly responsible for myocardial
infarction?
A. Aneurysm
B. Heart failure
C. Coronary artery thrombosis
D. Renal failure
Correct Answer
C
Question 11
Which of the following tests/procedures are NOT used to diagnose heart failure?
A. Echocardiogram
B. Brain natriuretic peptide blood test
C. Nuclear stress test
D. Holter monitoring
Correct Answer
d
Page 4 of 51
