Cardiac Surgery Certification AACN FINAL EXAM PREP
2025/2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS BANK AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES ||
100% GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
open heart surgery ......ANSWER........preop teaching includes
teaching about disorder (valve, CAD), what will happen pre and
post op, incisions, medications, ETT/ventilator, tubes/lines (foley,
pacer wires, chest tubes, ECG, hemodynamic monitoring, IVs),
diet/activity post-op (rehab process); post op maintain
adequate oxygenation (clear airway, mechanical ventilation
PRN, cough DB IS, assess lungs respirations and ABGs, assess
neuro status, monitor chest xrays, reposition and ambulate
early), maintain hemodynamic stability (assess cardiac, vascular
status, I/O, response to vasoactive meds, labs),
prevent/minimize complications (hypovolemia, post-op bleeding,
, age 2 of 13
decreased myocardial contractility from blood collecting around
heart, HTN/hypotension, dysrhythmias, respiratory complications
like VAP, neurologic impairment (assess neuro status frequently,
for hypotension, monitor cardiac output to maintain cerebral
blood flow), infection, pain)
hypovolemia ......ANSWER........this complication of heart surgery
often involves fluid shifting; assess for hypotension, tachycardia,
decreased CVP and UO; restore volume (based on H and H)
with colloids (ex. albumin, plasmanate) or PRBCs
post-op bleeding ......ANSWER........cardiopulmonary bypass may
cause this due to damage to RBCs and platelets; can result in
cardiac tamponade if into pericardial sac, if compression to
heart impairs LV contractility and filling and impairs coronary
perfusion; monitor chest tube drainage, labs, and signs of