Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Communication & Stakeholder Relations 2

Question 1

A cardiac nurse is preparing to discharge a patient with a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which teach-back technique best confirms the patient understands their fluid restriction?

Accepted Answer

Ask the patient to repeat the fluid limit in their own words and demonstrate how they will measure intake

Answer

Teach-back requires patients to restate and demonstrate understanding in their own words, confirming genuine comprehension rather than passive receipt of information.

Question 2

During interdisciplinary rounds on a cardiac unit, the bedside nurse disagrees with the cardiologist's plan to discharge a patient she believes is hemodynamically unstable. What is the most appropriate first action?

Accepted Answer

Respectfully voice concerns using SBAR and request a reassessment before discharge orders are written

Answer

SBAR provides a structured, assertive framework for nurses to communicate safety concerns to physicians during interdisciplinary discussions.

Question 3

A patient scheduled for a cardiac catheterization expresses anxiety and asks multiple questions that delay the procedure. How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the patient's concerns, provide brief clear answers, and notify the cardiologist if the patient remains unwilling to proceed

Answer

Acknowledging anxiety, answering questions concisely, and escalating if the patient refuses preserves autonomy and informed consent while maintaining procedural flow.

Question 4

After a cardiac arrest event, the care team conducts a debriefing. What is the primary goal of this post-event communication?

Accepted Answer

Identify system and communication gaps to improve future team performance and patient outcomes

Answer

Post-event debriefing is a quality-improvement process aimed at identifying communication breakdowns and system issues, not individual blame.

Question 5

A patient with chronic stable angina asks the nurse why the physician added a beta-blocker when they already take a nitrate. What communication principle should guide the nurse's response?

Accepted Answer

Use plain language to explain that each drug works differently on the heart and both are needed for optimal symptom control

Answer

Nurses using plain, jargon-free language to explain complementary drug mechanisms supports patient understanding and medication adherence.

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Practice Test

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Practice Test

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Communication & Stakeholder Relations 2