CAD
A nurse is teaching a patient about coronary artery disease (CAD). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "CAD occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart."
B. "If a clot completely blocks a coronary artery, it can lead to a heart attack."
C. "High cholesterol and high blood pressure increase my risk for CAD."
D. "Once plaque forms in my arteries, there is nothing I can do to prevent heart attacks."
Answer: D. (Lifestyle changes, medications, and interventions can help prevent complications.)
A nurse is teaching a patient newly diagnosed with CAD about lifestyle changes. Which recommendation is most important?
A. "Drink a glass of red wine every night to improve heart health."
B. "Start an intense exercise routine immediately."
C. "Reduce saturated fats and increase fiber intake in your diet."
D. "Only take your medications when you experience chest pain."
Answer: C. (Dietary changes help lower cholesterol and reduce CAD risk.)
A nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. A pulsating mass in the periumbilical area
B. Back pain and a blood pressure of 85/50 mmHg
C. A systolic murmur heard over the abdominal aorta
D. Mild abdominal discomfort with stable vital signs
Answer: B. (Severe back pain and hypotension suggest a ruptured aneurysm, which is a life-threatening emergency.)
A nurse is assessing a patient with aortic stenosis. Which symptom is most concerning?
A. Fatigue and exercise intolerance
B. Syncope with exertion
C. A systolic murmur heard over the aortic area
D. Peripheral edema and weight gain
B. (Syncope with exertion suggests severe aortic stenosis and decreased cardiac output.)
Which patient is at highest risk for developing dilated cardiomyopathy?
A. A 40-year-old woman with lupus
B. A 60-year-old man with a history of chronic alcoholism
C. A 55-year-old woman with osteoporosis
D. A 35-year-old with seasonal allergies
Answer: B. (Chronic alcohol use is a major risk factor for dilated cardiomyopathy.)
Which of the following patients is at highest risk for developing CAD?
A. A 45-year-old woman who walks 30 minutes daily and has a BMI of 22
B. A 38-year-old man with a total cholesterol of 160 mg/dL and no family history of heart disease
C. A 52-year-old man with hypertension, diabetes, and a history of smoking
D. A 28-year-old woman who eats a high-fat diet but exercises regularly
Answer: C. (Hypertension, diabetes, and smoking are major risk factors.)
A patient is recovering from a myocardial infarction. Which statement by the patient requires further teaching?
A. "I will take my aspirin every day to prevent another heart attack."
B. "I should stop exercising to avoid straining my heart."
C. "I will monitor my blood pressure and cholesterol regularly."
D. "I should call 911 if I experience severe chest pain that doesn’t go away with rest."
Answer: B. (Exercise should be resumed gradually with provider guidance.)
Which patient is at the highest risk for developing an aortic aneurysm?
A. A 40-year-old woman with lupus
B. A 65-year-old man with a 40-year smoking history
C. A 50-year-old patient with hypothyroidism
D. A 70-year-old woman with a history of osteoporosis
Answer: B. (Men over 65 with a history of smoking are at highest risk for AAA.)
A patient with mitral stenosis reports increasing dyspnea and fatigue. Which additional assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses
B. Crackles in the lungs and pink frothy sputum
C. A widened pulse pressure
D. Increased urine output
Answer: B. (Left-sided heart failure symptoms occur due to blood backing up into the lungs.)
A patient with cardiomyopathy is admitted with severe dyspnea and pink frothy sputum. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
B. Start an IV for fluid resuscitation
C. Encourage the patient to drink fluids
D. Perform deep suctioning
Answer: A. (Elevating the head of the bed improves oxygenation and reduces pulmonary congestion.)
A patient with known CAD reports new-onset chest discomfort that occurs when walking up the stairs but resolves with rest. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Stable angina
B. Unstable angina
C. Myocardial infarction
D. Pericarditis
Answer: A. (Stable angina occurs with exertion and improves with rest.)
A nurse is monitoring a patient with CAD for complications. Which of the following symptoms would indicate a possible myocardial infarction (MI)? A. Sudden severe chest pain, shortness of breath, diaphoresis, and nausea
B. Sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing and is relieved by sitting up
C. Localized chest pain that improves with antacids and worsens after eating spicy foods
D. Intermittent stabbing chest pain that occurs only at night
Answer: A. (Classic symptoms of an MI include chest pain, SOB, sweating, and nausea.)
A patient with an acute aortic dissection is admitted to the ICU. Which is the priority nursing diagnosis?
A. Risk for Infection
B. Risk for Fluid Volume Deficit
C. Ineffective Tissue Perfusion
D. Impaired Skin Integrity
Answer: C
A patient is suspected of having mitral regurgitation. Which diagnostic test would the nurse anticipate being ordered?
A. 12-lead ECG
B. Chest X-ray
C. Echocardiogram
D. Pulmonary function test
Answer: C. (An echocardiogram evaluates valve function and regurgitation severity.)
A nurse is teaching a patient with cardiomyopathy about dietary modifications. Which statement indicates successful teaching?
A. "I should increase my salt intake to maintain blood pressure."
B. "I should eat small, frequent meals and avoid high-sodium foods."
C. "A high-fat, high-calorie diet will help improve my energy levels."
D. "I should avoid all sources of protein to reduce heart strain."
Answer: B. (A low-sodium diet helps reduce fluid retention and improve heart function in cardiomyopathy.)
A nurse is educating a patient with CAD about nitroglycerin (NTG) for angina. Which statement by the patient indicates correct understanding?
A. "I should take nitroglycerin with food to prevent stomach upset."
B. "If my chest pain is not relieved after one tablet, I should wait 30 minutes before taking another."
C. "I should store my nitroglycerin in a cool, dry place and replace it every 6 months."
D. "If I develop a headache after taking nitroglycerin, I should stop using it immediately."
Answer: C. (NTG should be stored properly and replaced regularly.)
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a patient suspected of having a myocardial infarction. Which result is the most concerning?
A. Troponin level of 3.2 ng/mL
B. Total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL
C. C-reactive protein (CRP) of 2.0 mg/L D. LDL cholesterol of 130 mg/dL
D. LDL cholesterol of 130 mg/dL
Answer: A. (Elevated troponin indicates myocardial damage.)
A patient with an aortic dissection is being treated in the ICU. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administering IV fluids rapidly
B. Keeping the systolic BP below 120 mmHg
C. Encouraging ambulation to prevent clots
D. Performing deep abdominal palpation
Answer: B. (Lowering BP with beta-blockers is the priority to reduce aortic wall stress.)
A nurse is teaching a patient with mitral valve prolapse about lifestyle modifications. Which statement by the patient indicates further teaching is needed?
A. "I should avoid caffeine and alcohol."
B. "I need antibiotics before every dental procedure."
C. "I should drink plenty of fluids and avoid dehydration."
D. "I may experience occasional palpitations and dizziness."
Answer: B. (Routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not required for mitral valve prolapse unless infective endocarditis risk is high.)
What is the best way to prevent rheumatic heart disease?
A. Take aspirin daily
B. Maintain a high-protein diet
C. Complete full course of antibiotics for strep throat
D. Get an annual flu vaccine
Answer: C. (Untreated strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.)
A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing chest pain. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
B. Place the patient in a supine position
C. Assess vital signs and obtain an ECG
D. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths
Answer: C. (Assessing vital signs and obtaining an ECG are the priority to determine the severity of the situation.)
A nurse is administering medications to a patient with CAD. Which medication is prescribed to reduce myocardial oxygen demand and lower heart rate and blood pressure?
A. Atorvastatin
B. Metoprolol
C. Clopidogrel
D. Furosemide
B. (Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that lowers HR and BP.
Which finding in a patient with a known abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) suggests a rupture?
A. Sudden severe abdominal or back pain
B. Bilateral ankle swelling
C. Bradycardia and high blood pressure
D. Pain that worsens when lying flat
Answer: A. (Sudden severe abdominal or back pain with hypotension indicates rupture.)
A nurse is caring for a patient who had a mechanical valve replacement. Which statement by the patient requires further teaching?
A. "I will need to take blood thinners for the rest of my life."
B. "I should avoid foods high in vitamin K."
C. "I will have to come in regularly for INR checks."
D. "I can stop taking my anticoagulant once my valve heals."
Answer: D. (Patients with mechanical valves require lifelong anticoagulation to prevent clots.)
Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient with myocarditis?
A. Activity Intolerance
B. Risk for Infection
C. Disturbed Sensory Perception
D. Ineffective Airway Clearance
A. (Myocarditis weakens the heart, leading to fatigue and activity intolerance).