Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Diagnostic Testing & Interpretation 2

Question 1

On a rhythm strip, a nurse identifies a pattern where the PR interval progressively lengthens until a P wave fails to conduct (dropped QRS). Which dysrhythmia is this?

Accepted Answer

Second-degree AV block, Mobitz Type I (Wenckebach)

Answer

Wenckebach block is characterized by progressive PR prolongation due to increasing AV node fatigue until a beat is blocked, then the cycle resets with a shorter PR interval.

Question 2

During a nuclear stress test, which finding indicates a fixed perfusion defect rather than ischemia?

Accepted Answer

A perfusion defect present on both stress and rest images that does not change indicates prior infarction (scar)

Answer

A fixed defect (unchanged between stress and rest images) represents non-viable scar tissue from prior MI; a reversible defect (defect on stress, normal at rest) represents inducible ischemia.

Question 3

Which ECG finding in a post-cardiac surgery patient warrants immediate physician notification due to risk of cardiac tamponade?

Accepted Answer

Electrical alternans (alternating QRS amplitude) with sinus tachycardia and low voltage

Answer

Electrical alternans—beat-to-beat variation in QRS amplitude—combined with sinus tachycardia and low voltage is pathognomonic for cardiac tamponade, requiring immediate intervention.

Question 4

A patient's cardiac catheterization report shows 75% stenosis of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. The nurse understands this supplies which myocardial territory?

Accepted Answer

Anterior left ventricular wall, interventricular septum, and apex

Answer

The LAD perfuses the anterior wall, anterior two-thirds of the interventricular septum, and the cardiac apex, making it critical to a large amount of left ventricular mass.

Question 5

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is preferred over transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) for which clinical indication?

Accepted Answer

Detection of left atrial appendage thrombus in atrial fibrillation prior to cardioversion

Answer

TEE provides superior visualization of the left atrial appendage because of its posterior acoustic window, making it the standard of care for ruling out LAA thrombus before cardioversion.

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Practice Test

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Practice Test

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Diagnostic Testing & Interpretation 2