[Cardiovascular] Medical-Surgical Nursing
Review Questions and answers 2025/2026
latest update
A patient with an average blood pressure of 145/100 will begin treatment for hypertension. In
discussing possible modifiable risk factors with this patient, the nurse correctly identifies which of the
following?
A. Male younger than age 55
B. African-American ethnicity
C. High dietary sodium intake
D. Parents' history of MI and CA - answerC
A patient with long-standing hypertension will begin the DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension) to help lower the blood pressure. The nurse discusses some possible food choices with
the patient, including which of the following foods that best reflect the principles of the DASH Diet?
A. Fish, broccoli, brown rice
B. Lean steak, green beans, hash brown potatoes
C. Thin-crust cheese pizza and salad with low-calorie dressing
D. Frozen low-calorie meal - answerA
A 60-year-old patient is assessed in the emergency department for complaints of shortness of breath,
dizziness, and palpitations. An EKG shows an irregular rhythm with a normal QRS complex but no P
waves. Based on these findings, the nurse recognizes the patient's rhythm as:
A. first-degree heart block.
B. atrial flutter.
C. second-degree heart block type 1.
D. atrial fibrillation. - answerD
,A patient with mitral valve disease is admitted to a medical unit with fever, chills, shortness of breath,
malaise, and a newly developed cardiac murmur. Based on the patient's new diagnosis of endocarditis,
the nurse will begin preparing him for discharge by teaching about:
A. lifestyle modifications.
B. warfarin (Coumadin) therapy.
C. self-administration of IV antibiotics.
D. the need for fluid restriction. - answerC
The nurse is caring for a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy. The patient asks, "How could I have
gotten this condition?" The nurse's response is based on knowledge that cardiomyopathy may be
associated with which of the following in the patient's medical history?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Hypotension
C. Fungal infection
D. Extreme weight loss - answerA
A patient with hypercholesterolemia was prescribed pravastin (Pravachol). The nurse should teach the
patient about which of the following side effects for this medication?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Flushing
C. Itching
D. Hypotension - answerA
The nurse is caring for a patient who has had diarrhea for the last 3 days. The nurse is aware of the
patient's history of cardiac dysrhythmias. In reviewing the patient's laboratory results, the nurse would
be most concerned about which of the following?
A. Hematocrit 59%
, B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/liter
C. Magnesium 1.8 mg/dL
D. Sodium 132 mEq/liter - answerB
The nurse is discussing the day's plan of care with a student nurse. The student asks why brain
natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been ordered for one of the patients. The nurse's response is based on the
knowledge that this laboratory test is used to monitor effectiveness of the patient's treatment for:
A. cardiomyopathy.
B. mitral value stenosis.
C. heart failure.
D. atherosclerosis. - answerC
Constance Parsons, age 65, is transferred to a medical telemetry unit after several days in the coronary
care unit for treatment of an acute MI. Ms. Parsons remains very anxious, with occasional episodes of
chest pressure.
Which medication does the nurse prepare for Ms. Parsons to decrease her anxiety and improve cardiac
output?
A. Nitroprusside (Nipride)
B. Diazepam (Valium)
C. Morphine sulfate (MS)
D. Dopamine (Intropin) - answerC
Constance Parsons, age 65, is transferred to a medical telemetry unit after several days in the coronary
care unit for treatment of an acute MI. Ms. Parsons remains very anxious, with occasional episodes of
chest pressure.
The nurse closely monitors Ms. Parsons for which common complication of MI?
Review Questions and answers 2025/2026
latest update
A patient with an average blood pressure of 145/100 will begin treatment for hypertension. In
discussing possible modifiable risk factors with this patient, the nurse correctly identifies which of the
following?
A. Male younger than age 55
B. African-American ethnicity
C. High dietary sodium intake
D. Parents' history of MI and CA - answerC
A patient with long-standing hypertension will begin the DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension) to help lower the blood pressure. The nurse discusses some possible food choices with
the patient, including which of the following foods that best reflect the principles of the DASH Diet?
A. Fish, broccoli, brown rice
B. Lean steak, green beans, hash brown potatoes
C. Thin-crust cheese pizza and salad with low-calorie dressing
D. Frozen low-calorie meal - answerA
A 60-year-old patient is assessed in the emergency department for complaints of shortness of breath,
dizziness, and palpitations. An EKG shows an irregular rhythm with a normal QRS complex but no P
waves. Based on these findings, the nurse recognizes the patient's rhythm as:
A. first-degree heart block.
B. atrial flutter.
C. second-degree heart block type 1.
D. atrial fibrillation. - answerD
,A patient with mitral valve disease is admitted to a medical unit with fever, chills, shortness of breath,
malaise, and a newly developed cardiac murmur. Based on the patient's new diagnosis of endocarditis,
the nurse will begin preparing him for discharge by teaching about:
A. lifestyle modifications.
B. warfarin (Coumadin) therapy.
C. self-administration of IV antibiotics.
D. the need for fluid restriction. - answerC
The nurse is caring for a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy. The patient asks, "How could I have
gotten this condition?" The nurse's response is based on knowledge that cardiomyopathy may be
associated with which of the following in the patient's medical history?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Hypotension
C. Fungal infection
D. Extreme weight loss - answerA
A patient with hypercholesterolemia was prescribed pravastin (Pravachol). The nurse should teach the
patient about which of the following side effects for this medication?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Flushing
C. Itching
D. Hypotension - answerA
The nurse is caring for a patient who has had diarrhea for the last 3 days. The nurse is aware of the
patient's history of cardiac dysrhythmias. In reviewing the patient's laboratory results, the nurse would
be most concerned about which of the following?
A. Hematocrit 59%
, B. Potassium 2.8 mEq/liter
C. Magnesium 1.8 mg/dL
D. Sodium 132 mEq/liter - answerB
The nurse is discussing the day's plan of care with a student nurse. The student asks why brain
natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been ordered for one of the patients. The nurse's response is based on the
knowledge that this laboratory test is used to monitor effectiveness of the patient's treatment for:
A. cardiomyopathy.
B. mitral value stenosis.
C. heart failure.
D. atherosclerosis. - answerC
Constance Parsons, age 65, is transferred to a medical telemetry unit after several days in the coronary
care unit for treatment of an acute MI. Ms. Parsons remains very anxious, with occasional episodes of
chest pressure.
Which medication does the nurse prepare for Ms. Parsons to decrease her anxiety and improve cardiac
output?
A. Nitroprusside (Nipride)
B. Diazepam (Valium)
C. Morphine sulfate (MS)
D. Dopamine (Intropin) - answerC
Constance Parsons, age 65, is transferred to a medical telemetry unit after several days in the coronary
care unit for treatment of an acute MI. Ms. Parsons remains very anxious, with occasional episodes of
chest pressure.
The nurse closely monitors Ms. Parsons for which common complication of MI?
