CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING EXAM
2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Women's hearts are: - ANS Smaller 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: - ANS -Shoulder/upper back pain
-SOB
-Fatigue.
Diagnostic profile for acute MI - ANS Plasma analysis of key cardiac iso-enzymes and other
bio-markers:
-CK and CK-MB
-Myoglobin
-Troponin T and I
Cholesterol - ANS -LDL: Normal less than 160mg/dl
-HDL: women: 35-85, men: 35-70
-Triglycerides: Normal100-200 mg/dl.
Brain (B-Type) Natriuretic Profile (BNP) - ANS -Secreted by the ventricular walls in response
to an increase in preload or fluid in the ventricles
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,-Used for diagnosis, monitoring and as a prognostic tool for Heart Failure
-Results are quickly done.
Blood Chemistry Tests related to Cardiovascular System - ANS -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) - ANS -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 - ANS -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 - ANS -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 - ANS -Patients who cannot walk on treadmill or use
exercise bike may undergo pharmacologic stress test with imaging
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, -Vasodilation of coronary arteries with medications mimics the effect of exercise
Cardiac Catheterization - ANS -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 - ANS -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 - ANS -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 - ANS Systolic Diastolic
Normal <120 <80
Hypertension <140-159 < 90-99
Non-modifiable Risk Factors: Essential Hypertension - ANS -Family history
Copyright ©2025 THEBRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Women's hearts are: - ANS Smaller 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: - ANS -Shoulder/upper back pain
-SOB
-Fatigue.
Diagnostic profile for acute MI - ANS Plasma analysis of key cardiac iso-enzymes and other
bio-markers:
-CK and CK-MB
-Myoglobin
-Troponin T and I
Cholesterol - ANS -LDL: Normal less than 160mg/dl
-HDL: women: 35-85, men: 35-70
-Triglycerides: Normal100-200 mg/dl.
Brain (B-Type) Natriuretic Profile (BNP) - ANS -Secreted by the ventricular walls in response
to an increase in preload or fluid in the ventricles
Copyright ©2025 THEBRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,-Used for diagnosis, monitoring and as a prognostic tool for Heart Failure
-Results are quickly done.
Blood Chemistry Tests related to Cardiovascular System - ANS -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) - ANS -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 - ANS -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 - ANS -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 - ANS -Patients who cannot walk on treadmill or use
exercise bike may undergo pharmacologic stress test with imaging
Copyright ©2025 THEBRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, -Vasodilation of coronary arteries with medications mimics the effect of exercise
Cardiac Catheterization - ANS -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 - ANS -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 - ANS -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 - ANS Systolic Diastolic
Normal <120 <80
Hypertension <140-159 < 90-99
Non-modifiable Risk Factors: Essential Hypertension - ANS -Family history
Copyright ©2025 THEBRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
