1.

A patient asks the nurse why the neck veins need to be checked when the patient is
experiencing heart palpitations. What should the nurse respond to this patient?
A) “They detect the function of the aortic valve.”
B) “They help determine how much pressure is in the right atrium of the heart.”
C) “They are used to detect the heart rate.”
D) “They are used to estimate blood pressure.”

2.The nurse is auscultating a patient's heart sounds. Which valve is the nurse assessing
when the stethoscope is placed over the area identified in the diagram?

A) Aortic
B) Pulmonic
C) Tricuspid
D) Mitral

3.Which area of the heart should be further assessed in the patient with an irregular pulse?
A) Right ventricle
B) Left ventricle
C) Right atrium
D) Left atrium

4.The nurse is reviewing the following electrocardiogram waveform. What does the
identified wave indicate to the nurse?

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A) Atrial depolarization
B) Septal depolarization
C) Ventricular depolarization
D) Ventricular repolarization

5.When auscultating a patient's heart sounds, the nurse hears a louder S2 when listening at
the 2nd intercostal space right sternal border. The nurse determines that this finding is
consistent with the closure of which heart valves?
A) Aortic and pulmonic
B) Tricuspid and mitral
C) Pulmonic and tricuspid
D) Mitral and aortic

6.During the auscultation of a patient's heart sounds, the nurse hears a fixed S2 split. What
does this heart sound indicate to the nurse?
A) Pulmonic stenosis
B) Right bundle branch block
C) Right ventricular failure
D) Left bundle branch block

7.While completing the cardiovascular system health history, a patient tells the nurse about
using four pillows at night to sleep. The nurse will use this information to further assess
which area?
A) Chest pain
B) Shortness of breath
C) Palpitations
D) Edema

8.The nurse is preparing to conduct a physical examination of a patient's cardiovascular

system. What should the nurse instruct the patient in preparation for this examination?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Wear the gown with the opening in the front.
B) A sheet will be draped over the patient for comfort.
C) The patient will be standing during the examination.
D) Explain that gloves will be worn during the examination.

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E) The nurse will be conducting the examination from the left side.

9.During the auscultation of a patient's heart sounds, the nurse asks the patient to turn onto
the left side. Why is this position used during the examination?
A) Accentuates aortic murmurs
B) Accentuates mitral stenosis
C) Accentuates the first heart sound
D) Accentuates atrial repolarization

10.A patient is diagnosed with coronary heart disease and hypertension. What can the nurse
instruct this patient to help reduce the modifiable risk factors for both of these disorders?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Importance of weight reduction
B) The need to increase physical activity
C) Reducing alcohol consumption
D) Having kidney function checked each year
E) Way smoking cessation is necessary

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Answer Key

1.B
2.A
3.C
4.D
5.A
6.C
7.B
8.A, B, D, E
9.B
10.A, B, E

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