Cardiovascular System Practice Test 1
Cardiovascular System NCLEX Practice Test
Cardiovascular System, within the NCLEX test plan under Nursing Science → Clinical Foundations, reflects the core knowledge domains and conceptual competencies directly related to what the exam evaluates. The targeted number of questions is 50; designed with realistic clinical scenarios and conceptual variety to help you identify both your strengths and improvement areas.
This test is the 1st part of the Cardiovascular System section. To explore all practice tests under this topic, use the “Back to Main Topic” button at the end of the page.
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In the Cardiovascular System Study Cards section, shared by real NCLEX candidates, you’ll find concise summaries and high-yield insights related to the most tested concepts. It’s a perfect space to reinforce challenging topics and sharpen your recall through quick, focused repetitions. Short, powerful, and repeatable!
Cardiovascular System Practice Test 1
Angina...?
- causes death of the heart muscle cells
- is pain associated with lack of oxygen to heart muscle cells
- only occurs with vigorous exercise
- is not treatable
Explanation: Answer reason: Angina is chest pain caused by temporary myocardial ischemia, meaning the heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen. This ischemia is reversible and does not cause myocardial cell death, which distinguishes it from myocardial infarction.
Where is the pulse typically felt?
- Vein
- Artery
- Vessels
Explanation: Answer reason: Pulse is felt over an artery, because arterial walls expand with each heartbeat as blood is ejected from the left ventricle. Veins do not generate palpable pulsations.
What is hypertension?
- High sugar
- High blood pressure
- High calcium
- Low blood pressure
Explanation: Answer reason: Hypertension is defined as persistently elevated blood pressure, typically above 130/80 mmHg, caused by increased vascular resistance or increased cardiac output. It places extra workload on the heart and blood vessels.
Outer layer of heart is called?
- Pericardium
- Myocardium
- None of these
- Endocardium
Explanation: Answer reason: The heart’s outer covering is the pericardium; myocardium is the middle muscular layer and endocardium is the inner lining.
_____ Large arteries supply the thoracic cavity?
- Ascending aorta
- Arch of the aorta
- Both A and B
- None of these.
Explanation: Answer reason: Arterial supply within the thorax comes from segments of the aorta located there: the ascending aorta (e.g., the coronary arteries) and the arch of the aorta (via its branches) both contribute to thoracic structures.
Which pulse site is located on the neck?
- Carotid
- Radial
- Temporal
- brachial
Explanation: Answer reason: The carotid artery runs along the sides of the neck; its pulse is palpated there. The radial is at the wrist, the temporal at the temple, and the brachial in the upper arm.
Which of the following is not suggestive of acute myocardial infarction?
- Sudden-onset severe central chest pain
- Sudden-onset burning hypogastric pain
- Onset of complete heart block
- Sudden death
Explanation: Answer reason: An MI typically presents with severe central chest pain and may cause complete heart block or sudden death. Burning hypogastric pain suggests a gastrointestinal source, not an MI.
What is pulse pressure?
- Systolic pressure
- Diastolic pressure
- Difference between aortic and systolic pressure
- Difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure
Explanation: Answer reason: Pulse pressure is defined as the numerical difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP − DBP), typically around 40 mmHg in healthy adults.
What is the normal range for resting heart rate?
- 60-100 beats per minute
- 100-120 beats per minute
- 40-60 beats per minute
- 80-100 beats per minute
Explanation: Answer reason: In healthy adults, the standard resting heart rate range is 60–100 bpm; values below it are bradycardic, and values above it are tachycardic. Option D is narrower than the accepted normal range.
What is the pacemaker of the heart?
- SA node
- AV node
- Bundle of His
- Purkinje fibers
Explanation: Answer reason: The sinoatrial (SA) node has the highest rate of spontaneous depolarization (60–100 bpm) and initiates normal cardiac impulses, serving as the heart's primary pacemaker.
Rope-like, bulging, or contorted veins may indicate ________?
- Atrophic vein
- Hypertrophic vein
- Varicose veins
- None of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Tortuous, bulging, rope-like superficial veins are characteristic of varicose veins caused by venous valve incompetence.
Which maternal cardiac lesion is associated with a pregnancy-associated maternal mortality rate of 50% or more?
- Surgically corrected Tetralogy of Fallot (VSD)
- Ventricular septal defect
- Marfan syndrome with an aortic root diameter of 5 cm
- Previous myocardial infarction
Explanation: Answer reason: A markedly dilated aortic root in Marfan syndrome (≥5 cm) carries a very high risk of aortic dissection or rupture during pregnancy, with maternal mortality historically around 50% or higher. The other lesions have much lower pregnancy-associated mortality with modern care.
Which is the largest artery?
- Aorta
- jugular vein
- Carotid artery
- Thoracic aorta
Explanation: Answer reason: The aorta is the body's largest artery; the jugulars are veins, the carotids are smaller arteries, and the thoracic aorta is only a segment of the aorta.
In which locations do most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur?
- Healthcare clinics
- Homes
- Recreational facilities
- Shopping centers
Explanation: Answer reason: Most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in private residences, with the majority occurring at home.
The only artery that supplies deoxygenated blood?
- Pulmonary artery
- Gastric artery
- Hepatic artery
- Renal artery
Explanation: Answer reason: The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs; systemic arteries, like the gastric, hepatic, and renal arteries, carry oxygenated blood.
What does your heart pump?
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Blood
- Calcium
Explanation: Answer reason: The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the circulatory system.
Most common cyanotic heart disease?
- TOF
- VSD
- TAPVC
- Ebstein anomaly
Explanation: Answer reason: Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease; VSD is the most common overall, but is acyanotic. TAPVC and Ebstein anomaly are less common.
The smallest arteries <0.1 mm in diameter are referred to as?
- Arterioles
- Venules
- Capillaries
- None of the above.
Explanation: Answer reason: Arterioles are the smallest branches of the arterial system (typically <0.1 mm in diameter). Venules are small veins, and capillaries are exchange vessels, not arteries.
The deep palmar arch is the direct continuation of which artery?
- Ulnar artery
- Radial artery
- Brachial artery
- Axillary artery
Explanation: Answer reason: The deep palmar arch is primarily the continuation of the radial artery, completed by the deep branch of the ulnar artery.
The anterior (sternocostal) surface is formed mainly by the?
- Right atrium and right ventricle
- Right ventricle
- Left ventricle
- Apex of the heart
Explanation: Answer reason: The sternocostal (anterior) surface of the heart is formed predominantly by the right ventricle, with minor contributions from the right atrium and the left ventricle.
What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
- Cardiac problem.
- A congenital or acquired heart defect.
- Respiratory failure or shock
- Infection and sepsis
Explanation: Answer reason: In pediatrics, cardiac arrest usually follows hypoxemia and poor perfusion; respiratory failure or shock are the leading precipitants, while primary cardiac causes are less common.
How many chambers are there in the human heart?
- 2
- 4
- 5
- 3
Explanation: Answer reason: The human heart has four chambers: the right atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium, and the left ventricle.
Which nerve does the blood supply to the brain?
- Facial
- Cerebral
- Brachial
- Carotid
Explanation: Answer reason: The carotid arteries deliver oxygenated blood to the brain. The other choices are nerves or non-specific terms; thus, the carotid arteries are the correct vascular supply.
Tachycardia is a disorder of which organ?
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Heart (fast heartbeat)
- Lungs
Explanation: Answer reason: Tachycardia is an abnormally rapid heart rate, indicating a disorder of the heart.
When does the heart receive blood from the coronary arteries?
- Systole
- Diastole
- When valves open
- When valves close.
Explanation: Answer reason: Coronary arteries fill primarily during diastole, when the aortic valve is closed and aortic pressure drives blood into the coronary ostia; systolic compression limits flow.
What is the normal range for adult blood pressure?
- 120/80 mmHg
- 70-100 mmHg
- 36.8-37 °C
- 12-16 breaths per minute
Explanation: Answer reason: 120/80 mmHg is the classic normal adult blood pressure. The other options represent normal ranges for different vital signs (temperature and respiratory rate) or a MAP-like value, not standard blood pressure.
What is the normal blood pressure value for an adult?
- 120/80 mm Hg
- 150/106 mm Hg
- 140/100 mmHg
- None of them
Explanation: Answer reason: Normal adult blood pressure is approximately 120/80 mmHg; the other options are hypertensive values.
What is the normal pulse rate for a newborn?
- 140 per minute
- 130 per minute.
- 120 per minute
- 110 per minute
Explanation: Answer reason: A normal newborn heart rate is about 120–160 beats per minute; 140 beats per minute is the typical average.
What is the average blood volume in an adult?
- 4 to 6 liters
- 2 to 3 liters
- 7 to 8 liters
- 1 to 2 liters
Explanation: Answer reason: The average adult blood volume is about 70 mL/kg, which is approximately 4–6 liters (around 5 L in a 70-kg adult).
What is the total amount of blood in the human body as a percentage of body weight?
- 7–8% of body weight.
- 4–5% of body weight
- 12–13% of body weight
- 20–22% of body weight
Explanation: Answer reason: Normal adult blood volume is approximately 70–80 mL/kg, corresponding to about 7–8% of body weight; the other options are too low or excessively high.
What is the normal range for an adult's blood pressure?
- 90/60 to 120/80
- 100/50 to 140/90
- 110/70 to 135/85
- 120/80 to 150/90
Explanation: Answer reason: Normal adult blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg, with the lower end commonly accepted to be around 90/60 mmHg; thus 90/60 to 120/80 represents the normal range among the options.
The major veins draining the head are?
- Cephalic veins
- Jugular veins
- Brachiocephalic veins
- Facial veins
Explanation: Answer reason: The internal and external jugular veins are the primary venous drainage of the head and neck, emptying into the brachiocephalic veins. The cephalic drains the upper limb, the facial is a tributary, and the brachiocephalic receives the jugulars rather than draining the head directly.
Bradycardia can result from?
- Fever
- Hyperthyroidism
- Anxiety
- Excessive vagal stimulation.
Explanation: Answer reason: Increased vagal (parasympathetic) tone slows SA node firing and AV conduction, producing bradycardia. Fever, hyperthyroidism, and anxiety typically increase the heart rate (tachycardia).
The coronary sinus drains the walls of the heart and opens into?
- Left atrium
- Left ventricle
- Right atrium
- Right ventricle.
Explanation: Answer reason: The coronary sinus collects venous blood from the cardiac veins and empties directly into the right atrium near the opening of the inferior vena cava.
Chordae tendineae are not present in?
- Tricuspid valve
- Bicuspid valve
- Aortic valve
- Mitral valve.
Explanation: Answer reason: Chordae tendineae attach the papillary muscles to the atrioventricular valves (tricuspid and mitral, or bicuspid). They are absent from the semilunar valves, including the aortic valve.
All of the following lie in the right atrium except?
- Foramen ovale
- SVC opening
- Fossa ovalis
- Tricuspid valve
Explanation: Answer reason: The right atrium contains the opening of the SVC, the fossa ovalis on the septal wall, and the tricuspid orifice. The foramen ovale is a fetal opening that closes after birth to form the fossa ovalis, so it is not present in the right atrium.
Veins are the supply to the thoracic area?
- Superior vena cava
- Azygos vein
- Both A and B
- None of these.
Explanation: Answer reason: Thoracic venous drainage occurs via the superior vena cava and the azygos venous system, so both listed veins are involved.
What carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart?
- Atria
- Semilunar
- Aorta
- Pulmonary veins
Explanation: Answer reason: Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs to the heart via the pulmonary veins, which empty into the left atrium. The aorta carries blood from the left ventricle to the body; the atria are chambers, and semilunar refers to valves.
Into which of the following chambers of the heart does the superior vena cava enter?
- Right atrium
- Left atrium
- Right ventricle
- Left ventricle
Explanation: Answer reason: The superior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, and upper limbs directly to the right atrium.
_____ is also called the silent killer?
- Cancer
- Blood pressure
- Leukemia
- Asthma
Explanation: Answer reason: Hypertension (high blood pressure) is often asymptomatic while causing organ damage; hence, it is called the silent killer.
Base of heart is formed by?
- Right atrium
- Left atrium
- Aorta
- Left ventricle
Explanation: Answer reason: The base (posterior surface) of the heart is formed primarily by the left atrium, with a small contribution from the right atrium.
What is atrial fibrillation? A heart condition that causes...?
- An irregular and often abnormally slow heart rate.
- An irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate.
- Regular heart rhythm with an abnormally slow heart rate.
- A regular heart rhythm with an abnormally fast heart rate.
Explanation: Answer reason: Atrial fibrillation is an irregularly irregular rhythm caused by chaotic atrial activity, typically producing a rapid ventricular response; thus, it is irregular and often abnormally fast.
The terminalis conducting branch of the heart?
- AV node
- SA node
- Purkinje fibers
- None of them
Explanation: Answer reason: Purkinje fibers are the terminal branches of the cardiac conduction system, distributing impulses throughout the ventricular myocardium.
A 72-year-old male is admitted with a stroke. His BP is 220/105. Cardiac exam shows a heave and an S4 without any murmur. Likely etiology?
- Left ventricular dilation
- Left ventricular hypertrophy
- Right ventricular dilation
- Right ventricular hypertrophy
Explanation: Answer reason: Severe, long-standing hypertension causes concentric LV hypertrophy, producing a sustained apical heave and an S4 (stiff, noncompliant ventricle) without a murmur.
Number of branches of the internal carotid artery in the neck?
- 1
- 2
- 3
- None
Explanation: Answer reason: The cervical (neck) portion of the internal carotid artery gives off no branches; its branches arise intracranially.
What is the name for a decreased pulse rate or heart rate?
- Tachycardia
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Arrhythmia
Explanation: Answer reason: Bradycardia is the term for a decreased heart rate; tachycardia is an increased heart rate, hypotension is low blood pressure, and arrhythmia is an irregular rhythm.
Which of the following does not affect blood pressure?
- Heart rate
- Stroke volume
- Peripheral resistance
- Temperature
Explanation: Answer reason: Arterial blood pressure equals cardiac output times total peripheral resistance. Cardiac output depends on heart rate and stroke volume; total peripheral resistance is the other determinant. Temperature is not a primary determinant.
The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures is termed?
- Apical rate
- Cardiac rate
- Pulse deficit
- Pulse pressure
Explanation: Answer reason: Pulse pressure is defined as the numerical difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Apical or cardiac rate refers to the heart rate, and pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse counts.
Which of the following is a primary factor that affects BP?
- Obesity
- Age
- Stress
- Gender
Explanation: Answer reason: Blood pressure changes predictably with age due to decreased arterial elasticity and increased peripheral resistance, making age a primary determinant of baseline BP.
Most common lethal arrhythmia in the first hour of an MI?
- Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
- Asystole
- Ventricular fibrillation
- First-degree heart block
Explanation: Answer reason: Early deaths after acute MI are most often due to ventricular fibrillation caused by ischemia-induced electrical instability.
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