Cardiovascular Nursing questions and
answers 2025/2026 latest update
Women's hearts are: - answerSmaller and have smaller cardiac arteries
Cardiac arteries occlude more easily
↑ resting rate
↑ stroke volume
↑ ejection fraction
Women tend to have atypical signs/symptoms of MI: - answer-Shoulder/upper back pain
-SOB
-Fatigue.
Diagnostic profile for acute MI - answerPlasma analysis of key cardiac iso-enzymes and other bio-
markers:
-CK and CK-MB
-Myoglobin
-Troponin T and I
Cholesterol - answer-LDL: Normal less than 160mg/dl
-HDL: women: 35-85, men: 35-70
-Triglycerides: Normal100-200 mg/dl.
Brain (B-Type) Natriuretic Profile (BNP) - answer-Secreted by the ventricular walls in response to an
increase in preload or fluid in the ventricles
-Used for diagnosis, monitoring and as a prognostic tool for Heart Failure
-Results are quickly done.
Blood Chemistry Tests related to Cardiovascular System - answer-Na+
control of fluid volume
,-K+
major role in cardiac electrophysiologic function
*Hypokalemia
*Hyperkalemia
-Ca++
*neuromuscular activity and automaticity
*Hypocalemia
*Hypercalemia
-FBS or Hemoglobin A1C
Electrocardiogram (ECG) - answer-A graphic study of the electrical activity of the myocardium to
determine transmission of cardiac impulses through the muscles/conduction tissue.
Exercise Cardiac Stress Test - answer-Walking on a treadmill - usually 9 to 12 minutes with increases in
speed and incline of treadmill every 2 to 3 minutes based upon protocol used
-Exercise bicycle - with increase in resistance at set intervals.
Exercise Cardiac Stress Test Interventions - answer-Pt. needs to fast for 4 hours before test and avoid
stimulants (tobacco, caffeine)
-Some cardiac medications (beta adrenergic blockers) may be held
-Equipment to be used and need to have an IV
-Symptoms to report during testing.
Pharmacologic Cardiac Stress Imaging - answer-Patients who cannot walk on treadmill or use exercise
bike may undergo pharmacologic stress test with imaging
-Vasodilation of coronary arteries with medications mimics the effect of exercise
Cardiac Catheterization - answer-Insertion of catheter into heart under fluoroscopy, to obtain
information about oxygen saturations, structures, performance of valves, assess coronary artery
perfusion, and pressure readings within heart chambers
-Inserted into vein for right side of heart and artery for left side
, Nursing Responsibility for cardiac catheterization - answer-Prior to procedure:
*Confirm consent has been signed
*NPO 8-12 hours
*ECG monitoring
*Patent IV line
*Resuscitation equipment on hand
-After procedure:
*Assess site for hematoma, circulation to affected extremity, ECG, HR
*Bed rest for 2-6 hours with leg straight
*Monitor for chest pain.
Cardiovascular Angiography - answer-Done via cardiac catheterization
-Dye injected into vessels during catheterization to make them visible on x-ray to check patency, injury,
or aneurysms
*Cardiac
*Peripheral (carotid, renal, femoral).
Blood Pressure Classification - answerSystolic Diastolic
Normal <120 <80
Hypertension <140-159 < 90-99
Non-modifiable Risk Factors: Essential Hypertension - answer-Family history
-Age
-Gender
-Race & ethnicity
Modifiable Risk Factors: Essential Hypertension - answer-Obesity
-Sedentary life style
answers 2025/2026 latest update
Women's hearts are: - answerSmaller and have smaller cardiac arteries
Cardiac arteries occlude more easily
↑ resting rate
↑ stroke volume
↑ ejection fraction
Women tend to have atypical signs/symptoms of MI: - answer-Shoulder/upper back pain
-SOB
-Fatigue.
Diagnostic profile for acute MI - answerPlasma analysis of key cardiac iso-enzymes and other bio-
markers:
-CK and CK-MB
-Myoglobin
-Troponin T and I
Cholesterol - answer-LDL: Normal less than 160mg/dl
-HDL: women: 35-85, men: 35-70
-Triglycerides: Normal100-200 mg/dl.
Brain (B-Type) Natriuretic Profile (BNP) - answer-Secreted by the ventricular walls in response to an
increase in preload or fluid in the ventricles
-Used for diagnosis, monitoring and as a prognostic tool for Heart Failure
-Results are quickly done.
Blood Chemistry Tests related to Cardiovascular System - answer-Na+
control of fluid volume
,-K+
major role in cardiac electrophysiologic function
*Hypokalemia
*Hyperkalemia
-Ca++
*neuromuscular activity and automaticity
*Hypocalemia
*Hypercalemia
-FBS or Hemoglobin A1C
Electrocardiogram (ECG) - answer-A graphic study of the electrical activity of the myocardium to
determine transmission of cardiac impulses through the muscles/conduction tissue.
Exercise Cardiac Stress Test - answer-Walking on a treadmill - usually 9 to 12 minutes with increases in
speed and incline of treadmill every 2 to 3 minutes based upon protocol used
-Exercise bicycle - with increase in resistance at set intervals.
Exercise Cardiac Stress Test Interventions - answer-Pt. needs to fast for 4 hours before test and avoid
stimulants (tobacco, caffeine)
-Some cardiac medications (beta adrenergic blockers) may be held
-Equipment to be used and need to have an IV
-Symptoms to report during testing.
Pharmacologic Cardiac Stress Imaging - answer-Patients who cannot walk on treadmill or use exercise
bike may undergo pharmacologic stress test with imaging
-Vasodilation of coronary arteries with medications mimics the effect of exercise
Cardiac Catheterization - answer-Insertion of catheter into heart under fluoroscopy, to obtain
information about oxygen saturations, structures, performance of valves, assess coronary artery
perfusion, and pressure readings within heart chambers
-Inserted into vein for right side of heart and artery for left side
, Nursing Responsibility for cardiac catheterization - answer-Prior to procedure:
*Confirm consent has been signed
*NPO 8-12 hours
*ECG monitoring
*Patent IV line
*Resuscitation equipment on hand
-After procedure:
*Assess site for hematoma, circulation to affected extremity, ECG, HR
*Bed rest for 2-6 hours with leg straight
*Monitor for chest pain.
Cardiovascular Angiography - answer-Done via cardiac catheterization
-Dye injected into vessels during catheterization to make them visible on x-ray to check patency, injury,
or aneurysms
*Cardiac
*Peripheral (carotid, renal, femoral).
Blood Pressure Classification - answerSystolic Diastolic
Normal <120 <80
Hypertension <140-159 < 90-99
Non-modifiable Risk Factors: Essential Hypertension - answer-Family history
-Age
-Gender
-Race & ethnicity
Modifiable Risk Factors: Essential Hypertension - answer-Obesity
-Sedentary life style
