Cardiovascular System Practice Test 2
Cardiovascular System NCLEX Practice Test
Cardiovascular System is a key topic within the NCLEX test plan, located under Nursing Science → Clinical Foundations → Cardiovascular System. This section explores cardiac physiology and nursing care for common cardiovascular disorders. Each test contains 50 questions designed to mirror the difficulty and variety of the real exam.
This is the 2nd part of the Cardiovascular System series. 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 2
A nurse is caring for a client admitted with acute myocardial infarction (MI). The client suddenly reports chest pain radiating to the left arm and becomes diaphoretic. The nurse notes a blood pressure of 88/60 mmHg, heart rate of 120 bpm, and cold, clammy skin. Which action should the nurse take first?
- Administer sublingual nitroglycerin.
- Place the client in a supine position with legs elevated.
- Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).
- Administer oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula.
Explanation: Answer reason: The client is exhibiting signs of cardiogenic shock (hypotension, tachycardia, diaphoresis, cold skin). The priority is to improve coronary and cerebral perfusion by promoting venous return through leg elevation while maintaining airway and oxygenation. Nitroglycerin would further lower blood pressure and worsen perfusion.
Average heartbeat per minute in a normal person is...?
- 50 times
- 72 times
- 80 times
- 100 times
Explanation: Answer reason: Normal adult resting heart rate averages about 72 beats per minute; 50 is bradycardic, 80 is within range but not the typical average, and 100 is the upper limit.
What is the most common symptom in a client with an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
- Abdominal pain
- Diaphoresis
- Headache
- Upper back pain
Explanation: Answer reason: Abdominal aortic aneurysm commonly presents with deep, steady abdominal or lower back pain; diaphoresis and headache are nonspecific, and upper back pain is more typical of thoracic aortic pathology.
What is the sound of the human heart?
- Lub-dub
- Rub-Rub
- Lub-dub
- Both (a) and (c)
- All (a), (b), and (c)
Explanation: Answer reason: Normal heart sounds are S1 followed by S2, typically described as “lub–dub” (closure of AV valves then semilunar valves).
What is the normal heart sound heard through a stethoscope?
- Dub-lub
- Lub-dub
- Dub-dub
- None of these.
Explanation: Answer reason: Normal heart sounds are S1 then S2, described as 'lub-dub'—closure of AV valves followed by semilunar valves.
What is the outermost layer of the heart called?
- Endocardium
- Perimetrium
- Myocardium
- Pericardium
Explanation: Answer reason: The pericardium is the tough outer covering of the heart; endocardium lines the chambers, myocardium is the muscular middle layer, and perimetrium is a uterine layer.
Which condition is most commonly responsible for myocardial infarction?
- Aneurysm
- Heart failure
- Coronary artery thrombosis
- Renal failure
Explanation: Answer reason: Acute myocardial infarction most commonly results from an occlusive coronary artery thrombosis due to atherosclerotic plaque rupture; the other options are complications or unrelated conditions.
By approximately what percentage does the blood flow in an artery increase if its inner radius is enlarged from 5 mm to 5.5 mm?
- 10%
- 25%
- 30%
- 40%
- 45%
Explanation: Answer reason: By Poiseuille’s law, flow Q is proportional to r^4. Increasing radius from 5 to 5.5 mm is a 1.1× change, so flow increases by 1.1^4 ≈ 1.464 (≈46%). Closest option is 45%.
What is the weight of a male's heart?
- 200 g
- 250 g
- 340 g
- 1000 g
Explanation: Answer reason: Adult male heart weighs about 280–340 g (≈300 g). Thus 340 g is the best choice; 250 g is closer to the female average.
How does a normal heartbeat sound?
- Lob Dub
- Dub Dub
- Dom Dom
- Lub Lob
Explanation: Answer reason: Normal heart sounds are S1 then S2, described as 'lub-dub'; among the choices, 'Lob Dub' corresponds to this.
The most common cause of death is ______?
- Anemia
- Leukemia
- IHD (ischaemic heart disease)
- Hepatitis C
Explanation: Answer reason: Ischemic heart disease is the leading global cause of death; the other options are not top causes worldwide.
Causes of cardiac arrest include?
- Arrhythmia
- Atherosclerosis
- Coronary artery disease
- All
Explanation: Answer reason: All listed conditions can lead to cardiac arrest: malignant arrhythmias directly cause arrest, while atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease precipitate myocardial ischemia/infarction and fatal arrhythmias.
What is the most common site of injury from blunt chest trauma?
- Aorta
- SVC (superior vena cava)
- Left ventricle
- Right ventricle
Explanation: Answer reason: The right ventricle is the most anterior cardiac chamber, lying directly behind the sternum, so it is most commonly injured in blunt chest trauma.
During an accident, severe blood loss results in what?
- Hypoglycemia
- Shock
- Anaphylaxis
- Sepsis
Explanation: Answer reason: Severe hemorrhage reduces circulating blood volume leading to hypovolemic shock.
What is the normal pressure in the umbilical vein?
- 10 mm Hg
- 20 mm Hg
- 60 mm Hg
- 40 mm Hg
Explanation: Answer reason: Umbilical vein is a low-pressure vessel in fetal circulation; normal venous pressure is about 10–12 mm Hg, so 10 mm Hg is correct.
The main process behind the changes in circulation from the fetal period to the newborn occurs due to...?
- Clamping of the umbilical cord
- Closure of the ductus arteriosus
- Expansion of the lungs
- Closure of the ductus venosus
Explanation: Answer reason: At birth, lung expansion decreases pulmonary vascular resistance and increases pulmonary blood flow, raising left atrial pressure and driving functional closure of fetal shunts. This respiratory event is the primary trigger for neonatal circulatory transition.
Clubbing of the nails is a common finding in?
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Cyanotic heart disease
Explanation: Answer reason: Digital clubbing is associated with chronic hypoxemia, commonly seen in cyanotic congenital heart disease; the other conditions do not typically cause clubbing.
Tetralogy of Fallot includes all of the following conditions except?
- Overriding aorta
- Pulmonic stenosis
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Ventricular septal defect
Explanation: Answer reason: The tetrad of Fallot comprises ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, right ventricular outflow obstruction (pulmonic stenosis), and right ventricular hypertrophy. Patent ductus arteriosus is not part of TOF.
Which statement below accurately describes the role of the ductus arteriosus?
- The ductus arteriosus helps connect the umbilical artery to the inferior vena cava.
- The ductus arteriosus is found between the right and left atria
- In fetal circulation, the pulmonary artery and aorta are connected via the ductus arteriosus.
- The ductus arteriosus carries only oxygenated blood from the side of the heart to the right side.
Explanation: Answer reason: The ductus arteriosus shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta in fetal circulation, bypassing the lungs. Option A describes the ductus venosus; B refers to the foramen ovale; D is incorrect about direction and oxygenation.
If the pulse rate is more than 100 per minute, the condition is called?
- Tachycardia
- Bradycardia
- Hyperpnoea
- Bradypnea
Explanation: Answer reason: A pulse rate over 100 bpm is termed tachycardia; bradycardia is <60 bpm, while hyperpnoea and bradypnea refer to respiration.
What is the normal pressure in the umbilical artery?
- 20 mm Hg
- 40 mm Hg
- 60 mm Hg
- 80 mm Hg
Explanation: Answer reason: Fetal umbilical arterial pressure approximates fetal systemic arterial pressure, around 60 mm Hg at term; among the options, 60 mm Hg is the normal value.
Which of the following is a cyanotic congenital heart disease?
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Atrial septal defect
- Ventricular septal defect
- Tetralogy of Fallot
Explanation: Answer reason: Tetralogy of Fallot causes a right-to-left shunt leading to cyanosis; PDA, ASD, and VSD are typically acyanotic left-to-right shunts.
Which of the following vessels contains the highest oxygen concentration in fetal circulation?
- Umbilical vein
- Pulmonary artery
- Ductus venosus
- Ductus arteriosus
Explanation: Answer reason: In fetal circulation, the umbilical vein carries freshly oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus and has the highest oxygen content; other listed vessels contain mixed or deoxygenated blood.
Communication between the right and left atria in fetal circulation is known as...?
- Foramen ovale
- Ductus arteriosus
- Ductus venosus
- Fossa ovalis
Explanation: Answer reason: The fetal interatrial communication is the foramen ovale. The ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta, the ductus venosus bypasses the liver, and the fossa ovalis is the postnatal remnant of the foramen ovale.
Select the anatomic malformations associated with the Tetralogy of Fallot?
- Ventricular septal defect, an overriding aorta, right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary stenosis.
- Atrial septal defect, an overriding aorta, right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary stenosis.
- Ventricular septal defect, an overriding aorta, left ventricular hypertrophy, and right ventricular outflow.
- Atrial septal defect, an overriding aorta, pulmonary atresia & right ventricular outflow
Explanation: Answer reason: Tetralogy of Fallot consists of four features: ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, right ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary stenosis (RV outflow obstruction). Option A lists these.
TOF presents with all of the following except?
- Cyanosis of lips and nail beds
- Skin surface is dusky and bluish
- Dyspnea
- As child grows, symptoms disappear
Explanation: Answer reason: Tetralogy of Fallot is a cyanotic congenital heart disease characterized by central/peripheral cyanosis and dyspnea; symptoms do not naturally disappear as the child grows and often persist or worsen without surgical repair.
Communication between umbilical vein and inferior vena cava in fetal circulation is known as.......?
- Foramen ovale
- Ductus arteriosus
- Ductus venosus
- Fossa ovails
Explanation: Answer reason: The ductus venosus shunts oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein directly to the inferior vena cava, bypassing the fetal liver.
Myocardial infarction (M.I.) is also known as-?
- Angina attack
- Heart attack
- Dysrhy thmias
- Heart failure
Explanation: Answer reason: Myocardial infarction refers to death of heart muscle from ischemia, commonly termed a heart attack; the other options are different cardiac conditions.
The letters assigned to the waves and segments as determined by Einthoven and still used in EKG today are-?
- A, B, C, D, E
- M, N, O, P, Q
- P, Q, R, S, T
- S, T, U, V, W
Explanation: Answer reason: Einthoven designated the ECG deflections as P, Q, R, S, and T waves, a labeling convention still used today.
ECG pattern seen in pulmonary embolism?
- S3Q3T1
- S1Q1T3
- S1Q3T3
- S3Q3T3
Explanation: Answer reason: Classic ECG sign of acute pulmonary embolism is S1Q3T3 (deep S in lead I, Q wave and inverted T in lead III) reflecting acute right heart strain.
Peripheral edema results from obstruction of the _____?
- Lymphatic flow
- Venous insufficiency
- DVT
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Peripheral edema arises when return of fluid from tissues is impaired—by lymphatic obstruction (lymphedema) or by impaired venous return such as venous insufficiency or DVT—leading to increased hydrostatic pressure and fluid accumulation.
The outermost layer of Pericardium is?
- Fibrous Pericardium
- Serous pericardium
- Visceral pericardium
- Parietal pericardium
Explanation: Answer reason: The pericardium has an outer fibrous layer and an inner serous layer (parietal and visceral). The outermost covering is the fibrous pericardium.
Anterior surface of the heart is called?
- Sternocostal surface
- Base of heart
- Diaphragmatic surface
- Apex of heart
Explanation: Answer reason: The anterior (front) surface of the heart that faces the sternum and ribs is termed the sternocostal surface.
Base of the heart is mainly consist of?
- Right ventricle
- Right atrium
- Left ventricle
- Left atrium
- Diaphragmatic surfaces
Explanation: Answer reason: Anatomically, the base of the heart is formed mainly by the left atrium (with minor contribution from the right atrium).
Which of valve of heart contain two cups?
- Aortic
- Mitral
- Pulmonary
- Pulmonary and aortic
- Tricuspid
Explanation: Answer reason: The mitral (bicuspid) valve has two cusps; the aortic and pulmonary valves each have three semilunar cusps, and the tricuspid has three.
The blood vessel bringing the deoxygenated blood from head and upper parts of the body into the heart is?
- Superior vena cava
- Inferior vena cava
- Coronary sinus
- Coronary vein
Explanation: Answer reason: The superior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, upper limbs, and thorax to the right atrium. The inferior vena cava drains the lower body, and the coronary sinus/veins drain the myocardium.
What is the circulatory system is composed of?
- The heart, blood, and blood vessels.
- The heart, the brain, and the lungs.
- The lungs, the blood, and the blood vessels.
- The brain, the heart, and the blood vessels.
Explanation: Answer reason: The circulatory system consists of the heart as the pump, the blood as the fluid, and the blood vessels as the conduits.
Sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness is ........?
- Stroke
- Cardiac Arrest
Explanation: Answer reason: The definition describes sudden cessation of cardiac activity leading to apnea and loss of consciousness, which is cardiac arrest. Stroke involves focal neurological deficits, not immediate loss of heartbeat and breathing.
What blood vessels return blood to the heart?
- Vein
- Arteries
- Capillaries
Explanation: Answer reason: Veins carry blood back to the heart, whereas arteries carry blood away and capillaries are sites of exchange.
Which disease is known as (silent killer)?
- Cancer
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Typhoid
Explanation: Answer reason: Hypertension often has no symptoms for years yet causes serious end-organ damage such as stroke, MI, and renal failure, earning the name 'silent killer.
Blood pressure is usually lowest during?
- Walking
- Lying
- Jumping
- Sitting
Explanation: Answer reason: In the supine (lying) position, gravitational effects on venous return are minimized and sympathetic tone is lower, resulting in the lowest blood pressure compared with sitting or activity like walking/jumping.
Which artery is most commonly palpated for taking a pulse?
- Ulnar artery
- Radial artery
- Axillary artery
- Brachial artery
Explanation: Answer reason: The radial artery at the wrist is superficial, easily accessible, and therefore the most commonly palpated site for measuring pulse.
The pacemaker of the heart is usually the?
- Atrioventricular node (AV node)
- Purkinje fibers
- Sinoatrial node (SA node)
- Bundle of His
Explanation: Answer reason: The sinoatrial (SA) node has the highest rate of spontaneous depolarization and normally initiates the heartbeat, serving as the heart’s natural pacemaker.
Sudden temporary loss of consciousness due to reduced cerebral blood flow is called?
- Syncope
- Seizure
- Coma
- Shock
Explanation: Answer reason: Transient global cerebral hypoperfusion causes a brief loss of consciousness known as syncope; seizures involve abnormal cortical activity, coma is prolonged unconsciousness, and shock is systemic circulatory failure.
Which of the following completely describes pulsus paradoxicus?
- A greater-than-normal increase in systolic blood pressure with inspiration
- A greater-than-normal decrease in systolic blood pressure with inspiration
- Pulse is paradoxically low when client is in standing position and high when supine.
- Pulse is paradoxically high when client is in standing position and low when supine.
Explanation: Answer reason: Pulsus paradoxus is defined as an exaggerated fall (>10 mm Hg) in systolic blood pressure during inspiration due to ventricular interdependence and reduced LV stroke volume.
Which of the following systems has specialized tissue that produces rhythmic electrical impulses?
- Circulatory
- Skeletal
- Cardiac conduction
- Endocrine
Explanation: Answer reason: The heart’s conduction system (e.g., sinoatrial node) contains specialized pacemaker tissue that generates rhythmic electrical impulses.
Which of the following structures are responsible for the exchange of nutrients and waste in the cells?
- Capillaries
- Venules
- Arteries
- Arterioles
Explanation: Answer reason: Capillaries have thin single-layer endothelium that permits diffusion and exchange of gases, nutrients, and metabolic waste between blood and tissues; arteries and arterioles primarily conduct blood, and venules collect it.
Which Of The Following Vessels Does NOT Carry Blood Back To The Heart?
- Inferior venae cavae
- Superior venae cavae
- Pulmonary artery
- Pulmonary vein
Explanation: Answer reason: Veins carry blood to the heart (superior and inferior vena cava to right atrium; pulmonary veins to left atrium). The pulmonary artery carries blood away from the heart to the lungs, so it does not return blood to the heart.
In the systemic circulatory system, deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the body is returned to the heart via the?
- Inferior vena cava
- Superior vena cava
- Aorta
- Coronary sinus vein
Explanation: Answer reason: The inferior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the right atrium. The superior vena cava drains the upper body; the aorta carries oxygenated blood from the heart; the coronary sinus drains the myocardium.
Time required to complete one cardiac cycle?
- 0.2 SEC
- 0.7 SEC
- 0.8 SEC
- 1.8 SEC
Explanation: Answer reason: At a normal heart rate (~75 bpm), one cardiac cycle lasts about 0.8 seconds (systole ~0.3 s plus diastole ~0.5 s).
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