Cardiovascular Nursing 2026 Practice Test with 200
Practice Questions and Correct Answers with Rationales
Which nursing diagnosis would be considered a priority for the client with heart
failure?
a. Anxiety related to hospitalization
b. Altered Health Maintenance
c. Impaired Gas Exchange
d. Altered Comfort - ANSWER-C
The client with heart failure experiences impaired gas exchange related to
inadequate cardiac pump
function. Although all other diagnoses presented here may be manifested, Impaired
Gas Exchange is the priority because it is the most life-threatening.
The client with heart failure is experiencing respiratory difficult. Which is the
nurse's priority action?
a. Place the client in a high Fowler's position.
b. Suction the client.
c. Auscultate the client's heart and lungs.
d. Place the client on fluid restriction. - ANSWER-A
Placing a client in a high Fowler's position, especially with pillows under each arm,
can maximize chest expansion and improve oxygenation.
pg. 1
,The client with heart failure is prescribed enalapril (Vasotec). What is the nurse's
focus for teaching?
a. Avoiding salt substitutes
b. Taking medication with food
c. Avoiding aspirin or aspirin-containing products
d. Holding this medication if the pulse rate is below 74 beats/min - ANSWER-A
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors inhibit the excretion of
potassium. Hyperkalemia can be a life-threatening side effect, and clients should
be taught to limit potassium intake. Salt substitutes are composed of potassium
chloride.
Which is the priority intervention for a client who has received the first dose of
captopril (Capoten)?
a. Administer this medication 1 hour before meals to aid absorption.
b. Instruct the client to ask for assistance when arising from bed.
c. Give the medication with milk to prevent stomach upset.
d. Monitor the potassium level for hypokalemia. - ANSWER-B
Administration of the first dose of ACE inhibitors is associated with hypotension,
usually termed first-dose effect. The nurse should instruct the client to seek
assistance before arising from bed to prevent injury from postural hypotension.
The client with moderate heart failure is being discharged. Which is of priority to
teach the client?
pg. 2
,a. "Avoid drinking more than 3 quarts of liquids each day."
b. "Stop your activity and rest at the first sign of chest pain."
c. "Weigh yourself every day in the morning before breakfast."
d. "Do not take a double dose if you forget to take your digoxin." - ANSWER-C
Weight gain is the most reliable indicator of fluid retention associated with heart
failure. The client should weigh himself or herself early in the morning, before
breakfast. The client should be instructed to limit fluid; 3 quarts is too much fluid
for the client.
A client with systolic dysfunction has an ejection fraction of 38%. The nurse
expects to observe which physiologic change?
a. An increase in stroke volume
b. A decrease in tissue perfusion
c. An increase in oxygen saturation
d. A decrease in arterial vasoconstriction - ANSWER-B
In systolic dysfunction, the ventricle is unable to contract with enough force to
eject blood effective- ly during systole. As the ejection fraction decreases (50% to
70% is normal), tissue perfusion decreases and the client develops activity
intolerances.
Which client is most at risk of developing left-sided heart failure?
a. Middle-aged woman with aortic stenosis
b. Middle-aged man with pulmonary hypertension
c. Older woman who smokes two packs of cigarettes daily
pg. 3
, d. Older man who has had a right ventricular myocardial infarction - ANSWER-A
Although most individuals with heart failure will have failure that progresses from
left to right, it is possible to have left-sided failure alone for a short period. It is
also possible to have heart failure that progresses from right to left. Causes of left
ventricular failure include mitral or aortic valve disease, CAD (coronary artery
disease), and hypertension.
Which client statement alerts the nurse to possible heart failure?
a. "I am drinking more water than usual."
b. "I have been awakened by the need to urinate at night."
c. "I have to stop halfway up the stairs to catch my breath."
d. "I have experienced blurred vision on several occasions." - ANSWER-C
Clients with left-sided heart failure report weakness or fatigue while performing
normal activities of daily living as well as difficulty breathing, or "catching their
breath." This occurs as fluid moves into the alveoli.
A client with a history of myocardial infarction calls the clinic to report the onset
of a cough that is troublesome only at night. What direction will the nurse give to
the client?
a. "Come to the clinic for evaluation."
b. "Increase fluid intake during waking hours."
c. "Use an over-the-counter cough suppressant before going to sleep."
d. "Use two pillows to facilitate drainage of postnasal secretions." - ANSWER-A
pg. 4
Practice Questions and Correct Answers with Rationales
Which nursing diagnosis would be considered a priority for the client with heart
failure?
a. Anxiety related to hospitalization
b. Altered Health Maintenance
c. Impaired Gas Exchange
d. Altered Comfort - ANSWER-C
The client with heart failure experiences impaired gas exchange related to
inadequate cardiac pump
function. Although all other diagnoses presented here may be manifested, Impaired
Gas Exchange is the priority because it is the most life-threatening.
The client with heart failure is experiencing respiratory difficult. Which is the
nurse's priority action?
a. Place the client in a high Fowler's position.
b. Suction the client.
c. Auscultate the client's heart and lungs.
d. Place the client on fluid restriction. - ANSWER-A
Placing a client in a high Fowler's position, especially with pillows under each arm,
can maximize chest expansion and improve oxygenation.
pg. 1
,The client with heart failure is prescribed enalapril (Vasotec). What is the nurse's
focus for teaching?
a. Avoiding salt substitutes
b. Taking medication with food
c. Avoiding aspirin or aspirin-containing products
d. Holding this medication if the pulse rate is below 74 beats/min - ANSWER-A
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors inhibit the excretion of
potassium. Hyperkalemia can be a life-threatening side effect, and clients should
be taught to limit potassium intake. Salt substitutes are composed of potassium
chloride.
Which is the priority intervention for a client who has received the first dose of
captopril (Capoten)?
a. Administer this medication 1 hour before meals to aid absorption.
b. Instruct the client to ask for assistance when arising from bed.
c. Give the medication with milk to prevent stomach upset.
d. Monitor the potassium level for hypokalemia. - ANSWER-B
Administration of the first dose of ACE inhibitors is associated with hypotension,
usually termed first-dose effect. The nurse should instruct the client to seek
assistance before arising from bed to prevent injury from postural hypotension.
The client with moderate heart failure is being discharged. Which is of priority to
teach the client?
pg. 2
,a. "Avoid drinking more than 3 quarts of liquids each day."
b. "Stop your activity and rest at the first sign of chest pain."
c. "Weigh yourself every day in the morning before breakfast."
d. "Do not take a double dose if you forget to take your digoxin." - ANSWER-C
Weight gain is the most reliable indicator of fluid retention associated with heart
failure. The client should weigh himself or herself early in the morning, before
breakfast. The client should be instructed to limit fluid; 3 quarts is too much fluid
for the client.
A client with systolic dysfunction has an ejection fraction of 38%. The nurse
expects to observe which physiologic change?
a. An increase in stroke volume
b. A decrease in tissue perfusion
c. An increase in oxygen saturation
d. A decrease in arterial vasoconstriction - ANSWER-B
In systolic dysfunction, the ventricle is unable to contract with enough force to
eject blood effective- ly during systole. As the ejection fraction decreases (50% to
70% is normal), tissue perfusion decreases and the client develops activity
intolerances.
Which client is most at risk of developing left-sided heart failure?
a. Middle-aged woman with aortic stenosis
b. Middle-aged man with pulmonary hypertension
c. Older woman who smokes two packs of cigarettes daily
pg. 3
, d. Older man who has had a right ventricular myocardial infarction - ANSWER-A
Although most individuals with heart failure will have failure that progresses from
left to right, it is possible to have left-sided failure alone for a short period. It is
also possible to have heart failure that progresses from right to left. Causes of left
ventricular failure include mitral or aortic valve disease, CAD (coronary artery
disease), and hypertension.
Which client statement alerts the nurse to possible heart failure?
a. "I am drinking more water than usual."
b. "I have been awakened by the need to urinate at night."
c. "I have to stop halfway up the stairs to catch my breath."
d. "I have experienced blurred vision on several occasions." - ANSWER-C
Clients with left-sided heart failure report weakness or fatigue while performing
normal activities of daily living as well as difficulty breathing, or "catching their
breath." This occurs as fluid moves into the alveoli.
A client with a history of myocardial infarction calls the clinic to report the onset
of a cough that is troublesome only at night. What direction will the nurse give to
the client?
a. "Come to the clinic for evaluation."
b. "Increase fluid intake during waking hours."
c. "Use an over-the-counter cough suppressant before going to sleep."
d. "Use two pillows to facilitate drainage of postnasal secretions." - ANSWER-A
pg. 4
