Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology
Which structure separates the right atrium from the right ventricle?
A) Aortic valve
B) Tricuspid valve
C) Pulmonic valve
D) Mitral valve
Answer: B) Tricuspid valve
Which location is best to auscultate the mitral valve?
A) 2nd right intercostal space
B) 3rd left intercostal space
C) 4th left sternal border
D) 5th left midclavicular line
Answer: D) 5th left midclavicular line
A patient reports chest pain that radiates to the left arm and jaw and is relieved by rest. This most likely indicates:
A) Angina pectoris
B) Myocardial infarction
C) Heart failure
D) Pericarditis
Answer: A) Angina pectoris
Which pulse is palpated behind the knee?
A) Femoral
B) Popliteal
C) Posterior tibial
D) Dorsalis pedis
Answer: B) Popliteal
What is the normal blood pressure range for adults?
A) <130 / <90
B) <120 / <80
C) <140 / <90
D) <125 / <85
Answer: B) <120 / <80
What occurs during ventricular systole?
A) AV valves open
B) Semilunar valves close
C) Ventricles contract and blood is ejected
D) Atria fill the ventricles
Answer: C) Ventricles contract and blood is ejected
The nurse identifies a patient’s apical impulse at the 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line. This finding is:
A) Normal
B) Displaced upward
C) A sign of left ventricular hypertrophy
D) A sign of right heart failure
Answer: A) Normal
Which symptom is most likely to occur with a myocardial infarction (MI)?
A) Pain relieved by nitroglycerin
B) Pain lasting less than 5 minutes
C) Pain not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin
D) Pain localized to the right side
Answer: C) Pain not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin
A normal pulse amplitude is documented as:
A) 0+
B) 1+
C) 2+
D) 4+
Answer: C) 2+
A patient’s BP is 128/78 mmHg. How is this classified?
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
Answer: B) Elevated
The closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves produces which heart sound?
A) S1
B) S2
C) S3
D) Murmur
Answer: A) S1
Which sound is heard with the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves?
A) S1
B) S2
C) S3
D) S4
Answer: B) S2
A nurse assessing a patient with right-sided heart failure expects to find:
A) Pulmonary crackles
B) Jugular vein distention and peripheral edema
C) Dyspnea and orthopnea
D) S4 gallop
Answer: B) Jugular vein distention and peripheral edema
Which statement best describes peripheral arterial disease (PAD)?
A) Pain is relieved by elevating the legs
B) Pulses are bounding
C) Skin is cool and shiny with decreased pulses
D) Edema is present in both legs
Answer: C) Skin is cool and shiny with decreased pulses
Hypertension is diagnosed when BP readings are elevated:
A) Once
B) Twice in one visit
C) On two or more separate occasions
D) After one high reading
Answer: C) On two or more separate occasions
The left side of the heart pumps blood to which circulation?
A) Pulmonary circulation
B) Systemic circulation
C) Coronary circulation
D) Lymphatic circulation
Answer: B) Systemic circulation
A nurse hears a blowing, swishing sound during auscultation of the carotid artery. The nurse recognizes this as a:
A) Murmur
B) Thrill
C) Bruit
D) Gallop
Answer: C) Bruit
A patient with left-sided heart failure will most likely present with:
A) Peripheral edema and weight gain
B) Crackles in lungs and dyspnea on exertion
C) Distended neck veins and hepatomegaly
D) Cool, clammy skin
Answer: B) Crackles in lungs and dyspnea on exertion
A nurse assesses a patient with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). What finding is expected?
A) Decreased hair growth on legs
B) Thin, pale skin
C) Warm skin with brown discoloration
D) Pain worse with walking
Answer: C) Warm skin with brown discoloration
A patient’s BP is 182/122 mmHg. What classification is this?
A) Stage 1 hypertension
B) Stage 2 hypertension
C) Hypertensive crisis
D) Elevated
Answer: C) Hypertensive crisis
During diastole, what event occurs first?
A) Semilunar valves close
B) Ventricles contract
C) AV valves close
D) Aortic valve opens
Answer: A) Semilunar valves close
When assessing jugular venous pulsations, the patient should be positioned:
A) Sitting upright at 90°
B) Supine
C) Reclined at a 30–45° angle
D) Standing
Answer: C) Reclined at a 30–45° angle
Which finding should the nurse report immediately in a patient with chest pain?
A) Pain after eating
B) Pain during exercise that stops with rest
C) Chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin
D) Pain lasting less than 3 minutes
Answer: C) Chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin
A patient’s dorsalis pedis pulse cannot be palpated. What should the nurse do next?
A) Notify the provider immediately
B) Assess the carotid pulse
C) Use a Doppler and assess capillary refill
D) Apply warm compresses to the feet
Answer: C) Use a Doppler and assess capillary refill
What is the primary mechanism the cardiovascular system uses to maintain perfusion during blood loss?
A) Vasodilation
B) Increased urine output
C) Vasoconstriction and increased heart rate
D) Decreased cardiac output
Answer: C) Vasoconstriction and increased heart rate