Cardiovascular Disorders (NCLEX) Cardiac Quiz

1. Which finding is consistent with right-sided heart failure?

Pulmonary edema and orthopnea

Hepatomegaly and jugular venous distension

Decreased cardiac output only

Bradycardia and hypotension

2. A patient on loop diuretics for heart failure requires monitoring of which electrolyte?

Calcium

Potassium

Sodium

Magnesium

3. A patient develops pulmonary embolism after cardiac surgery. Which assessment finding is most specific?

Chest pain and dyspnea with hypoxia

Elevated troponin and ST changes

Bradycardia and hypotension

Peripheral edema and JVD

4. A patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy experiences syncope. What is the greatest risk?

Sudden cardiac death from ventricular arrhythmia

Chronic bradycardia

Atrial fibrillation only

Permanent heart block

5. Which murmur is characteristic of mitral regurgitation?

Diastolic murmur at the apex

Holosystolic murmur at the apex

Systolic ejection murmur at right upper sternal border

Continuous machinery murmur

6. A patient with atrial fibrillation has a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 3. What is the nursing recommendation?

No anticoagulation needed

Aspirin monotherapy sufficient

Anticoagulation with warfarin or DOAC

Watchful waiting only

7. What does an elevated BNP level indicate?

Acute kidney injury

Heart failure and increased ventricular stretch

Bacterial endocarditis

Pericardial effusion

8. A patient requires anticoagulation after acute myocardial infarction. Which drug is most appropriate initially?

Warfarin

Unfractionated heparin

Aspirin only

Clopidogrel alone

9. Which condition is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy?

Chronic hypertension

Mitral stenosis

Pericarditis

Pulmonary hypertension

10. A patient with coronary artery disease is prescribed a statin. What is the primary benefit?

Lowers LDL cholesterol and reduces plaque

Increases HDL cholesterol only

Prevents all cardiac arrhythmias

Reverses existing myocardial infarction

11. A 65-year-old patient with heart failure presents with orthopnea and peripheral edema. Which medication is most appropriate for reducing preload?

Metoprolol

Furosemide

Lisinopril

Digoxin

12. A patient on beta-blocker therapy suddenly stops the medication. What complication is most likely?

Rebound hypertension and tachycardia

Hypotension and bradycardia

Permanent heart block

Asystole

13. Which cardiac arrhythmia requires immediate defibrillation?

Sinus bradycardia

Ventricular fibrillation

Atrial flutter

First-degree AV block

14. A patient presents with chest pain radiating to the left arm and diaphoresis. What is the priority intervention?

Administer morphine and establish IV access

Obtain 12-lead ECG and aspirin within 10 minutes

Send patient home with antacids

Schedule stress test for next week

15. Which ACE inhibitor is contraindicated in pregnancy?

Enalapril

Lisinopril

Both A and B

Hydralazine

16. A patient with chronic heart failure shows signs of pulmonary edema. What is the expected finding on chest X-ray?

Mediastinal widening

Butterfly or bat-wing infiltrates

Pneumothorax

Pleural effusion only

17. Which blood pressure reading indicates Stage 2 hypertension?

130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic

140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic

120-129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic

Less than 120 systolic and less than 80 diastolic

18. A patient on digoxin therapy reports nausea, visual disturbances, and irregular heart rate. What is the suspected condition?

Hypokalemia

Digoxin toxicity

Acute heart failure

Atrial flutter

19. Which finding indicates acute myocardial infarction?

ST-segment depression and T-wave inversion

ST-segment elevation and elevated troponin

Normal ECG with elevated LDL

PR-interval prolongation

20. A patient develops atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response. What is the priority nursing action?

Administer oxygen and obtain 12-lead ECG

Place patient on continuous cardiac monitoring

Prepare for immediate cardioversion

Administer aspirin immediately

Cardiac Quiz: Can You Manage the Heart Patient?