10 Cardiac NCLEX® Questions

Which of the following best describes how an esophageal doppler measures blood flow in the cardiac patient?

• The stroke volume is estimated using the pressure calculated from an arterial line
• Electrical stimulation is applied to the body to track changes caused by the heart beating
• Blood flow velocity is multiplied by the area of the aorta, which is calculated using an echocardiogram
• Carbon dioxide levels are measured using a specialized loop of tubing attached to the ventilator of an intubated patient

A nurse is caring for a client who is being discharged after cardiac surgery. The client has a prescription for enoxaparin to take at home. Which of the following discharge information should the nurse give to this client?

• Avoid wearing sandals or shoes for longer than 6 hours at a time
• Drink an eight ounce glass of water each evening before going to bed
• Use a soft toothbrush for brushing teeth and an electric razor for shaving
• Do not eat red meat or any substance that contains tyramine

Adenosine is a cardiac drug that is most likely indicated for the treatment of which type of cardiac rhythm?

• Sinus bradycardia
• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
• Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach)
• Premature junctional contractions

A nurse is working in the medical-surgical unit when the code alarm goes off, signifying that one of the clients on the unit is in cardiac arrest. The nurse steps in to the room to help with the code and starts to provide chest compressions to the client. Which of the following elements are part of providing external chest compressions during CPR? Select all that apply.

• The elbows are locked during chest compressions
• During compressions, the nurse should push hard and fast in an attempt to perfuse the client
• One knee is placed on either side of the client so that the client is straddled during compressions
• Chest compressions cause blood to be pumped through the body
• The heel of one hand is applied over the sternum, with the second hand on top of the first

A client with an injury to his chest has developed cardiac tamponade. The client’s blood pressure has dropped from 110/70 mmHg to 78/56 mmHg. The provider is preparing to perform a pericardiocentesis to remove the excess fluid around the client’s heart. Which action best describes the role of the nurse in assisting with this procedure?

• Ensure that the cardiac defibrillator is in the nursing unit
• Withdraw fluid from the pericardial sac once noting ST-segment elevations on the monitor
• Assist the client to a sitting position with his legs over the side of the bed
• Connect the ECG to the aspiration needle and monitor CVP

A nurse is caring for a client who underwent open-heart surgery 12 hours ago. While recovering, the client develops chest pain and becomes very restless. After testing, the provider determines that the client has developed cardiac tamponade. Which describes the most likely treatment for this condition?

• Swan-Ganz insertion
• Electrocardiogram
• Pericardiocentesis
• Echocardiogram

A nurse is working with a 68-year-old client with cardiac dysrhythmias who has cool skin, poor pulses, and mental status changes. Which of the following conditions is this client most likely experiencing?

• Risk for deficient fluid volume
• Decreased cardiac output
• Ineffective breathing pattern
• Disturbed sleep pattern

A client who is recovering from cardiac catheterization has developed low blood pressure and jugular venous distention. The nurse auscultates the client’s chest and notes clear lung sounds, but muffled heart sounds. Which action would the nurse perform first?

• Contact the provider and obtain a stat chest x-ray
• Contact the provider and set up for a pericardiocentesis
• Contact the cardiopulmonary team and arrange for the client to have an ECG
• Contact the operating room to prepare for surgery

A client in the ICU has gone into cardiac arrest. The code team has arrived and begun compressions. The nurse brings in the crash cart and sets up the defibrillator. Which of the following would be a shockable rhythm for defibrillation? Select all that apply.

• Atrial fibrillation
• Ventricular fibrillation
• Asystole
• Pulseless electrical activity
• Pulseless ventricular tachycardia

A client is undergoing cardiac stress testing at a rehabilitation center. During the test, the nurse notes that the client becomes short of breath with a blood pressure drop from 130/80 mmHg to 98/58 mmHg. Which action of the nurse is most appropriate?

• Have the client take a break for five minutes before resuming the test
• Stop the stress test immediately
• Continue to monitor the client's blood pressure and continue the stress testing
• Administer a cardiac glycoside medication such as Digoxin