Free Cardiovascular Nursing MCQs with Answers

• A. Place the patient in a quiet room and recheck pressure later
• B. Assess neurological status and notify the healthcare provider promptly
• C. Encourage oral fluids and ask the patient to walk slowly
• D. Administer the next scheduled antihypertensive dose only

Explanation: Severe hypertension with neurological symptoms may indicate acute target-organ injury.

• A. I will swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
• B. I will stand up after taking the tablet to improve circulation
• C. I will seek emergency help if pain continues after five minutes
• D. I will store the tablets in an open container near sunlight

Explanation: Chest pain that is not relieved within five minutes after the first nitroglycerin dose requires emergency evaluation.

• A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG as soon as possible
• B. Offer a meal to reduce nausea and weakness
• C. Encourage deep breathing to reduce cardiac workload
• D. Ask the patient to walk to assess exercise tolerance

Explanation: A rapid 12-lead ECG helps identify myocardial infarction and guides urgent treatment.

• A. Dependent ankle oedema at the end of the day
• B. Distended neck veins while sitting upright
• C. Crackles and breathlessness when lying flat
• D. Enlarged liver with right upper quadrant discomfort

Explanation: Left ventricular failure causes pulmonary congestion, producing crackles, dyspnoea and orthopnoea.

• A. Give the dose and reassess the pulse after one hour
• B. Hold digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
• C. Give an extra dose to improve cardiac contractility
• D. Administer nitroglycerin for the visual disturbance

Explanation: Gastrointestinal symptoms, visual changes and bradycardia suggest digoxin toxicity.

• A. Regular rhythm with a P wave before every QRS
• B. Irregularly irregular rhythm with no distinct P waves
• C. Wide QRS complexes occurring at a regular slow rate
• D. Saw-tooth flutter waves with a regular ventricular rhythm

Explanation: Atrial fibrillation produces chaotic atrial activity, absent distinct P waves and an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm.

• A. Document the gain as an expected response to treatment
• B. Report the findings because they suggest fluid retention
• C. Encourage extra fluids to prevent dehydration
• D. Ask the patient to skip the prescribed diuretic dose

Explanation: A rapid weight gain of about 2 kilograms suggests fluid accumulation and worsening heart failure, especially with dyspnoea.

• A. I will use ibuprofen whenever joint pain occurs
• B. I will report unusual bleeding or black stools promptly
• C. I can stop warfarin when my valve symptoms improve
• D. I should double the next dose after missing one tablet

Explanation: Warfarin increases bleeding risk, so unusual bleeding, black stools or bruising must be reported.

• A. Start chest compressions and activate the emergency response
• B. Obtain a detailed history of previous cardiac disease
• C. Give oral fluids while waiting for the cardiology team
• D. Place the patient in a sitting position for easier breathing

Explanation: Pulseless ventricular tachycardia is a cardiac arrest rhythm. The priority is immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and activation of…

• A. Apply firm direct pressure to the puncture site
• B. Raise the head of the bed to improve comfort
• C. Encourage walking to improve circulation
• D. Apply a warm compress over the dressing

Explanation: Active bleeding after femoral catheterisation requires immediate firm direct pressure to prevent major blood loss.

• A. Administer the prescribed lisinopril dose
• B. Report the potassium result promptly
• C. Encourage the patient to eat bananas
• D. Restrict the patient's oral fluid intake

Explanation: A potassium level of 5.8 mmol/L with weakness suggests clinically significant hyperkalaemia, which can cause dangerous dysrhythmias.

• A. Place the patient in a high-Fowler position
• B. Offer oral fluids to loosen secretions
• C. Place the patient flat with the legs elevated
• D. Encourage coughing while lying supine

Explanation: These findings indicate acute pulmonary oedema from left ventricular failure.

• A. Crackles at both lung bases
• B. Pink frothy sputum
• C. Distended neck veins
• D. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea

Explanation: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion, producing jugular venous distension, dependent oedema and hepatomegaly.

• A. Irregularly irregular rhythm without P waves
• B. Sawtooth flutter waves between QRS complexes
• C. Progressively longer PR intervals before a dropped beat
• D. Wide QRS complexes occurring without preceding P waves

Explanation: Atrial flutter produces rapid, regular atrial activity that appears as sawtooth flutter waves, often with a regular or variably conducted…

• A. Reduced cerebral and coronary perfusion
• B. Increased pulmonary surfactant production
• C. Excessive venous return to the heart
• D. Improved ventricular relaxation during exertion

Explanation: A narrowed aortic valve obstructs left ventricular outflow and limits cardiac output, especially during exertion.

• A. Reassure the patient that this is expected
• B. Report the symptoms promptly to the prescriber
• C. Advise the patient to double the next dose
• D. Encourage strenuous exercise to improve tolerance

Explanation: New cough and dyspnoea may indicate amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity, which can become serious.

• A. Blood pressure of 86/ fifty-four mmHg
• B. Mild fatigue after bathing
• C. Heart rate of 78 beats per minute
• D. Warm hands after a blanket is applied

Explanation: A blood pressure of 86/54 mmHg with confusion, cool skin and a weak pulse suggests inadequate tissue perfusion and possible cardiogenic…

• A. Serum potassium of 2.9 mmol/L
• B. Serum sodium of 140 mmol/L
• C. Serum calcium of 2.3 mmol/L
• D. Serum chloride of 102 mmol/L

Explanation: Furosemide increases urinary potassium loss, and hypokalaemia can cause muscle cramps and cardiac dysrhythmias.

• A. The atrial impulses are not reaching the ventricles
• B. The PR interval is prolonged but every beat conducts
• C. The ventricles are depolarising before the atria
• D. The atrial rhythm is chaotic and irregular

Explanation: First-degree AV block is defined by a prolonged PR interval, usually more than 0.20 seconds, with every P wave followed by a QRS complex.

• A. Stop prescribed medicines when symptoms improve
• B. Plan activity with rest periods and avoid heavy exertion
• C. Exercise vigorously immediately after large meals
• D. Use extra salt to maintain circulating volume

Explanation: Pacing activity with planned rest reduces myocardial oxygen demand and helps prevent exertional ischaemia.