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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

Cardiovascular NCLEX Quiz: Test Your Open Heart Surgery Knowledge

Ready to ace cardiovascular NCLEX questions and open heart surgery scenarios? Dive in now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art heart, surgical tools, quiz icons on sky blue background highlighting cardiovascular NCLEX quiz challenge

Attention aspiring nurses: Ready to elevate your cardiac care confidence? Dive into our Free Cardiovascular NCLEX Practice Quiz - Test Your Knowledge! This cardiovascular nclex questions challenge covers essential cardiac NCLEX test questions, open heart surgery questions and answers , and prepares you for the NCLEX cardiovascular system exam. Get instant feedback, spot strengths, and sharpen skills in hemodynamics, post-op care and more. Whether reviewing anatomy or tackling complex case studies, this quiz is your gateway to success. Take the cardiovascular NCLEX practice quiz now - click to begin and track your progress instantly!

Where is the apical impulse (point of maximal impulse) located in a healthy adult?
5th intercostal space left sternal border
2nd intercostal space left sternal border
4th intercostal space midclavicular line
5th intercostal space at midclavicular line
The apical impulse is palpated at the left 5th intercostal space in the midclavicular line, reflecting the left ventricle's point of maximal contraction. This assessment helps evaluate left ventricular function and size. Displacement may indicate cardiomegaly or other pathology. source
What is considered normal chest tube drainage from a cardiac surgery patient in the first postoperative hour?
Less than 100 mL/hr
100-200 mL/hr
More than 200 mL/hr
No drainage
Drainage under 100 mL in the first hour typically reflects adequate hemostasis after cardiac surgery. Persistent drainage above 200 mL/hr may signal hemorrhage. Continuous monitoring ensures timely intervention if bleeding increases. source
Which laboratory value is most appropriate to monitor for a patient on warfarin therapy after open-heart surgery?
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
Platelet count
International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Bleeding time
Warfarin's effect is monitored via the PT/INR because it inhibits vitamin K - dependent clotting factors. aPTT is used for heparin monitoring. Keeping the INR within target reduces the risk of thromboembolism or bleeding. source
What vessel is most commonly harvested for use in a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)?
Great saphenous vein
Radial artery
Internal thoracic artery
Cephalic vein
The great saphenous vein is easily accessible and long enough to create multiple grafts, making it the most frequently used conduit in CABG. The internal thoracic artery and radial artery are also used but less commonly. Selection depends on patient anatomy and surgeon preference. source
A postoperative CABG patient has jugular venous distention (JVD), hypotension, and muffled heart sounds. What is the most likely complication?
Tension pneumothorax
Pulmonary embolism
Cardiac tamponade
Left ventricular failure
Beck's triad - JVD, hypotension, and muffled heart sounds - strongly suggests pericardial tamponade. Accumulating fluid in the pericardial sac impairs diastolic filling. Immediate pericardiocentesis is required. source
Which hemodynamic parameter best reflects left ventricular preload?
Central venous pressure
Mean arterial pressure
Systemic vascular resistance
Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure estimates left atrial pressure and thus left ventricular preload. Central venous pressure reflects right-sided preload. SVR and MAP relate to afterload and perfusion pressure, not preload. source
What is the primary action of dobutamine when administered for cardiogenic shock?
Decreases heart rate
Increases myocardial contractility
Blocks beta-adrenergic receptors
Causes vasoconstriction
Dobutamine is a beta-1 adrenergic agonist that increases myocardial contractility and cardiac output. It may cause mild vasodilation via beta-2 effects. It does not block beta receptors nor decrease heart rate. source
How does an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) assist a failing heart?
Increases coronary perfusion and decreases afterload
Decreases coronary perfusion and increases afterload
Decreases ventricular contractility
Increases preload and heart rate
The IABP inflates during diastole to augment coronary perfusion pressure and deflates just before systole to reduce afterload, improving cardiac output. It does not raise preload or increase heart rate. source
What is the normal range for cardiac index in a healthy adult?
0.5 to 1.5 L/min/m²
2.5 to 4.0 L/min/m²
4.5 to 6.0 L/min/m²
1.0 to 2.0 L/min/m²
Cardiac index normalizes cardiac output to body surface area; the typical range is 2.5 - 4.0 L/min/m². Values below this indicate reduced perfusion and potential organ dysfunction. source
What is the expected cardiac output if stroke volume is 70 mL and heart rate is 80 beats per minute?
0.875 L/min
3.2 L/min
5.6 L/min
12.5 L/min
Cardiac output equals stroke volume multiplied by heart rate: 0.07 L/beat × 80 beats/min = 5.6 L/min. This value helps assess the adequacy of perfusion. source
A patient with a mechanical mitral valve replacement is prescribed warfarin. What is the typical therapeutic INR range for this patient?
0.8 to 1.2
1.0 to 2.0
3.5 to 4.5
2.5 to 3.5
Mechanical mitral valves carry a higher thrombosis risk, so the target INR is 2.5 - 3.5. Lower ranges apply to bioprosthetic valves or atrial fibrillation without valve disease. source
Which immunosuppressive agent is commonly used to prevent rejection in patients after heart transplantation?
Methotrexate
Azathioprine
Cyclosporine
Tacrolimus
Tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor that suppresses T-cell activation and is widely used post - heart transplant. While cyclosporine and azathioprine are also used, tacrolimus offers a favorable side-effect profile. source
A large v wave is observed on a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure tracing. Which condition is this finding most characteristic of?
Aortic stenosis
Pulmonary embolism
Mitral regurgitation
Tricuspid stenosis
An elevated v wave on PCWP tracing indicates that blood is regurgitating from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole, characteristic of mitral regurgitation. It reflects an increase in atrial pressure during ventricular systole. source
On a left ventricular pressure-volume loop, how does increased afterload primarily affect the loop?
Lowers systolic pressure and increases stroke volume
Decreases end-diastolic volume and increases stroke volume
Increases end-systolic volume and decreases stroke volume
Shifts the loop left and increases stroke volume
Increased afterload means the ventricle must generate higher pressure to eject blood, which leaves more volume in the ventricle at end-systole, reducing stroke volume. This shifts the pressure-volume loop upward and to the right on the end-systolic side. source
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand cardiovascular system principles -

    After completing the cardiovascular NCLEX practice quiz, you'll grasp core hemodynamic concepts and cardiac physiology essential for exam success.

  2. Interpret open heart surgery scenarios -

    Analyze real-world open heart surgery questions and answers to determine appropriate nursing interventions and post-operative priorities.

  3. Apply clinical reasoning under time constraints -

    Practice cardiac NCLEX test questions in a timed environment to sharpen decision-making and prioritization skills.

  4. Identify common cardiac complications -

    Recognize signs, symptoms, and management strategies for arrhythmias, hypotension, and other cardiovascular emergencies.

  5. Evaluate your performance instantly -

    Use immediate feedback on each question to track progress, reinforce strengths, and target areas for further study before test day.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Cardiac Output and Stroke Volume Formulas -

    Review CO=HR×SV as a cornerstone in hemodynamic assessments when tackling cardiovascular NCLEX questions; remembering that SV depends on preload, afterload, and contractility helps you predict patient responses. Use the mnemonic "PASS" (Preload, Afterload, Strength of contraction, Stroke volume) to recall the influencing factors rapidly. Practicing these in our cardiovascular NCLEX practice quiz style scenarios solidifies your calculations under time pressure.

  2. ECG Interpretation Essentials -

    When facing cardiac NCLEX test questions, focus on measuring PR intervals (0.12 - 0.20s), QRS duration (<0.12s), and recognizing PQRST waves for arrhythmia identification. The "Long PR, Wide QRS" catchphrase can help differentiate blocks and bundle branch issues quickly. Regular practice with open heart surgery questions and answers that include ECGs will build your rhythm recognition muscle memory.

  3. Post - Open Heart Surgery Nursing Priorities -

    Assess chest tube output hourly (expected <100 mL/hr) and watch for signs of cardiac tamponade (hypotension, JVD, muffled heart sounds) as you would in real-world open heart surgery questions and answers. Remember Beck's triad (3 Ts: Tension, Tracheal deviation, Tamponade signs) to recall life-threatening pericardial complications. Instant feedback from a simulated cardiovascular NCLEX practice quiz reinforces these critical assessments.

  4. Key Cardiac Pharmacology Agents -

    Memorize first-line drugs - ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics - using the acronym "A-B-D" for Afterload reduction, Beat control, Diuresis when preparing for cardiovascular NCLEX questions. Always link each drug class to lab monitoring (e.g., check K+ with ACE inhibitors or digoxin levels when used concurrently). Flashcards of sample prescriptions in cardiac NCLEX test questions help cement dosing and side effects.

  5. Laboratory Values and Cardiac Markers -

    Know normal and critical ranges: troponin I (<0.04 ng/mL), CK-MB (0 - 5% of total CK), and BNP (<100 pg/mL) to answer NCLEX cardiovascular system exam items confidently. Use the rhyme "TNT blasts at 0.04" to recall troponin thresholds for myocardial infarction. Integrate these lab values into mock quiz questions for instant score-based learning in a cardiovascular NCLEX practice quiz format.

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