CV-BC Cardiac Nurse Prep practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q1A patient arrives at the emergency department with intense chest pain, shortness of breath, elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and an abnormal ECG showing ST-elevation. What immediate interventions are most commonly prioritized in this scenario?
✓ Correct answer: D. Oxygen, aspirin, nitroglycerine, and morphine
The immediate treatment for a suspected myocardial infarction with ST-elevation includes oxygen for ensuring adequate oxygenation, aspirin to inhibit platelet aggregation, nitroglycerine to manage chest pain and reduce cardiac workload, and morphine for pain and anxiety management.
Q2A 79-year-old patient with end-stage cardiac disease has a healthcare proxy in place that explicitly states no life-prolonging treatments. A relative insists on administering an experimental drug. What should the healthcare team do in this situation?
✓ Correct answer: C. Inform the relative that the patient's healthcare proxy directives must be followed, and the drug will not be administered.
The healthcare team is legally and ethically obligated to follow the patient's healthcare proxy instructions. The directive overrides the relative's requests for experimental drug administration. The team should support the relative emotionally while clearly communicating that the proxy directives are binding.
Q3A patient admitted to the emergency room is experiencing severe shortness of breath and chest pain. The ECG shows atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response of 160 bpm, leading to hypotension and altered mental status. What is the most appropriate immediate treatment for this patient?
✓ Correct answer: B. Synchronized cardioversion
Synchronized cardioversion is typically used for atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response, especially when the patient is hemodynamically unstable (e.g., showing signs of hypotension or altered mental status). This procedure delivers a controlled electric shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm.
Q4Anticoagulation therapy is advised before which of the following cardiovascular procedures?
✓ Correct answer: D. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) requires anticoagulation therapy to reduce the risk of clot formation during and after the procedure. In emergency procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), there might not be enough time to initiate anticoagulation therapy beforehand. Cardiac catheterization without intervention typically does not require anticoagulation.
Q5You are designing an exercise program for a patient recovering from a myocardial infarction (MI). Refer to the table below. Which exercise level is generally recommended to provide cardiovascular benefits while minimizing risk? Activity Level Exercise Type Risk Assessment Low Walking Low risk, promote for general cardiovascular benefit Moderate Cycling on a stationary bike Moderate risk, safe under supervision High Running High risk, should be closely supervised or avoided Very High Competitive sports Very high risk, not recommended for MI recovery
✓ Correct answer: C. Low risk, promote for general cardiovascular benefit
Patients recovering from a myocardial infarction are encouraged to engage in low-risk activities, such as walking, to promote cardiovascular health without excessive stress on the heart. Moderate activities can be considered with supervision, while high to very high-risk activities are usually avoided.
Q6When using a heart rate monitor during exercise, a patient should:
✓ Correct answer: B. Log exercise intensities and any symptoms experienced.
While using a heart rate monitor during exercise, it's important for patients to log exercise intensities and any symptoms they experience. This helps in correlating heart rate data with physical activity and symptoms, providing valuable information for diagnosing potential cardiac issues. The monitor should remain on during the entire exercise session to gather continuous data.
Q7The best intervention approach for a 45-year-old man with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and severe aortic valve insufficiency compounded by heart failure is to:
✓ Correct answer: A. Repair the valve rather than replace it.
In patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, repairing the valve is preferred to replacing it. This is due to the risk of dehiscence associated with prosthetic valves. Severe aortic valve insufficiency can lead to heart failure and other complications. Delaying surgery increases these risks, which is only advisable in mild cases.
Q8A cardiac-vascular nutritionist is tasked with evaluating a specialized 2300-calorie cardiac diet's sodium content. Based on the guidelines, the diet should limit sodium intake to the following amount: Nutritional Element Intake Amount (mg) Total Sodium 1500 Potassium 4700 Calcium 1000 Magnesium 400 What percentage of this diet is sodium?
✓ Correct answer: A. 2.6%
To find the percentage of sodium in the diet, use the formula: $$\text{Sodium percentage} = \frac{\text{Sodium Intake (mg)}}{\text{Total Daily Intake (mg)}} \times 100\%$$. For Sodium: $$\frac{1500}{2300} \times 100\% = 2.6\%$$. Thus, the sodium content accounts for 2.6% of the 2300-calorie diet.
Q9A patient, who speaks English but struggles with comprehension, is scheduled for a cardiovascular procedure. Which educational tool would best help them understand the procedure?
✓ Correct answer: C. Video
Videos are highly effective in educating patients with comprehension difficulties because they provide visual and auditory information simultaneously, making complex concepts easier to grasp. Simple illustrated guides and interactive workshops could also be helpful, but a video demonstration typically provides a more engaging and comprehensive overview. Standard written handouts are the least suitable due to the reliance on textual information.
Q10A medical practice operates in both State A and State B and needs to license cardiac monitoring equipment. What is the best approach to ensure compliance with state regulations?
✓ Correct answer: B. Submit separate licensing applications for the equipment to each state following their review frequency.
Each state has separate regulations regarding medical equipment licensing, requiring specific processes to comply. State A and State B both require distinct applications, and their review frequencies differ, emphasizing the necessity to address each state's regulatory requirements independently. Assuming uniform standards or only following one state's rules could lead to non-compliance.
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