Cardiovascular System Assessment Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Question 1

During a physical examination of the cardiovascular system, which of the following is a key indicator of potential heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Distended jugular veins

Answer

Rapid, bounding pulses

Answer

Warm and dry extremities

Answer

Pink, well-perfused nail beds

Question 2

Which of the following auscultatory findings is most likely associated with aortic stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Harsh, crescendo-decrescendo murmur at the base of the heart

Answer

Soft, blowing murmur at the apex of the heart

Answer

Clicking sound at the start of systole

Answer

Splitting of the first heart sound

Question 3

On an electrocardiogram (ECG), which wave corresponds to ventricular repolarization?

Accepted Answer

T wave

Answer

P wave

Answer

QRS complex

Answer

U wave

Question 4

A patient presents with sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath. Based on their vital signs, the nurse suspects a cardiac etiology. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Administer oxygen and monitor vital signs closely

Answer

Perform a cardiac catheterization immediately

Answer

Prescribe anticoagulants without further evaluation

Answer

Insert a chest tube to relieve potential pneumothorax

Question 5

A patient is presenting with symptoms suggestive of peripheral arterial disease. Which of the following assessment findings is most closely linked to this condition?

Accepted Answer

Cool, pale extremities with diminished pulses

Answer

Warm, erythematous extremities

Answer

Swollen and edematous extremities

Answer

Pink and well-perfused extremities

Question 6

During a cardiovascular assessment, the nurse palpates the carotid arteries. Which of the following findings may indicate carotid artery stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Weak or absent carotid pulse

Answer

Strong and bounding carotid pulse

Answer

Irregular carotid pulse

Answer

Rapid and thready carotid pulse

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a technique used to assess the cardiovascular system?

Accepted Answer

Psychophysiological assessment

Answer

Physical examination

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Electrocardiography

Question 8

Which of the following findings is considered normal during a cardiovascular system assessment?

Accepted Answer

Symmetrical pulses with good capillary refill

Answer

Heart rate of 110 bpm

Answer

Presence of a third heart sound

Answer

Jugular venous distension

Question 9

Which type of stethoscope is recommended for auscultation of the cardiovascular system?

Accepted Answer

Standard bell and diaphragm combination

Answer

Doppler stethoscope

Answer

Fetal stethoscope

Answer

Electronic stethoscope

Question 10

What is the significance of a positive pulsus alternans?

Accepted Answer

Indicates alternating left and right ventricular failure

Answer

Indicates right ventricular failure only

Answer

Indicates valvular regurgitation

Answer

Indicates arrhythmia

Question 11

Which of the following electrocardiogram (ECG) leads provides the optimal view of the right atrium?

Accepted Answer

Lead V1

Answer

Lead I

Answer

Lead II

Answer

Lead III

Question 12

Which of the following arrhythmias is characterized by a heart rate below 60 bpm?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a component of a standard cardiovascular system assessment?

Accepted Answer

Blood analysis

Answer

Patient history

Answer

Physical exam

Answer

Auscultation

Question 14

Which of the following heart valve conditions is associated with a loud S1 and a diminished S2?

Accepted Answer

Aortic stenosis

Answer

Aortic regurgitation

Answer

Mitral stenosis

Answer

Mitral regurgitation

Question 15

What is the primary difference between a first-degree and a second-degree heart block?

Accepted Answer

In a first-degree heart block, the P wave is delayed; in a second-degree heart block, the QRS complex is delayed.

Answer

In a first-degree heart block, the P wave is absent; in a second-degree heart block, the QRS complex is absent.

Answer

In a first-degree heart block, the QRS complex is delayed; in a second-degree heart block, the P wave is delayed.

Answer

In a first-degree heart block, the QRS complex is absent; in a second-degree heart block, the P wave is absent.

Question 16

Which ECG lead offers the most data on the electrical activity of the right ventricle?

Accepted Answer

Lead V1

Answer

Lead I

Answer

Lead II

Answer

Lead III

Question 17

What is the purpose of a Holter monitor?

Accepted Answer

To continuously record cardiac electrical activity for an extended period

Answer

To measure blood pressure over time

Answer

To evaluate kidney function

Answer

To assess lung function

Question 18

When listening to the apical pulse, during which heart sound is the mitral valve closure sound audible?

Accepted Answer

S1

Answer

S2

Answer

S3

Answer

S4

Question 19

In adults, what is considered the normal heart rate range?

Accepted Answer

60-100 beats per minute

Answer

50-100 beats per minute

Answer

70-110 beats per minute

Answer

80-120 beats per minute

Question 20

Which maneuver can be utilized to detect pulsus paradoxus?

Accepted Answer

Valsalva maneuver

Answer

Carotid massage

Answer

Femoral pulse palpation

Answer

Radial artery occlusion

Question 21

What is the clinical significance of an S3 heart sound?

Accepted Answer

Indicates ventricular dysfunction

Answer

Normal in young individuals

Answer

Associated with aortic stenosis

Answer

Harmless murmur

Question 22

What is the most common cause of cardiac tamponade?

Accepted Answer

Pericarditis

Answer

Trauma

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Congestive heart failure

Question 23

A patient arrives at the emergency department with sudden crushing chest pain radiating to their left arm. Which ECG finding is most indicative of an acute myocardial infarction (MI)?

Accepted Answer

ST elevation

Answer

ST depression

Answer

T wave inversion

Answer

Prolonged PR interval

Question 24

Which symptom is most commonly associated with heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Shortness of breath

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

Confusion

Question 25

Which cardiovascular condition is most likely causing a patient's arterial waveform to show a widened pulse pressure and a delayed systolic peak?

Accepted Answer

Aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation

Answer

Mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation

Answer

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy

Answer

Constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy

Question 26

For a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment, which patient history elements are crucial?

Accepted Answer

Family history, personal history, medications, and current symptoms

Answer

Physical exam findings, lab results, and imaging reports

Answer

Spiritual beliefs, coping mechanisms, and social support systems

Question 27

Which of the following is the most sensitive indicator of early cardiac ischemia?

Accepted Answer

Transient ST-segment

Answer

Jugular venous distension

Answer

Elevated blood pressure

Answer

Peripheral edema

Question 28

Which of the following formulas is used to calculate cardiac output?

Accepted Answer

Stroke volume x heart rate

Answer

Systolic blood pressure x diastolic blood pressure

Answer

Mean arterial pressure x systemic vascular resistance

Answer

Central venous pressure x pulmonary artery pressure

Question 29

Which of the following is a contraindication for performing carotid artery auscultation?

Accepted Answer

Carotid artery surgery within the past 14 days

Answer

History of a stroke

Answer

Presence of a bruit

Answer

Elevated blood pressure

Question 30

A patient with a recent diagnosis of heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor for?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Answer

Peripheral edema

Question 31

What is the normal range for the QT interval on an electrocardiogram?

Accepted Answer

350-440 milliseconds

Answer

200-300 milliseconds

Answer

500-600 milliseconds

Answer

700-800 milliseconds

Question 32

A patient with atrial fibrillation is being considered for anticoagulation therapy. Which of the following factors should the nurse consider when assessing the patient's risk for stroke?

Accepted Answer

CHADS-VASc score

Answer

Glasgow Coma Scale score

Answer

Wells score

Answer

TIMI risk score

Question 33

A patient with a history of coronary artery disease presents with chest pain that is described as a squeezing sensation that is relieved by rest. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Stable angina

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Unstable angina

Answer

Pericarditis

Question 34

What is the primary purpose of auscultating the carotid arteries?

Accepted Answer

To detect carotid bruits, which may indicate carotid artery stenosis or other underlying conditions.

Answer

To identify heart murmurs, which are abnormal sounds that can indicate heart valve problems

Answer

To determine the heart rate, which can be estimated by counting the number of beats heard over one minute

Answer

To measure blood pressure, which requires the use of a sphygmomanometer

Question 35

What is the normal range of blood pressure for an adult?

Accepted Answer

120/80 mmHg

Answer

140/90 mmHg, which is considered prehypertension

Answer

160/100 mmHg, which is considered high blood pressure or hypertension

Answer

100/60 mmHg, which is considered low blood pressure or hypotension

Question 36

What type of stethoscope is most appropriate for auscultating heart sounds?

Accepted Answer

Bell

Answer

Electronic, which can amplify sounds but may alter their quality

Answer

Diaphragm, which is more suitable for auscultating high-pitched sounds such as breath sounds

Answer

Stethoscope without a bell or diaphragm, which is not recommended for cardiac auscultation

Question 37

Which of the following physical exam findings is a sign of congestive heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Jugular venous distension, which occurs when the pressure in the jugular veins increases and can be a sign of right-sided heart failure

Answer

Hypotension, which is low blood pressure and is not a typical sign of congestive heart failure

Answer

Bradypnea, which is slow breathing and is not a typical sign of congestive heart failure

Question 38

What is the normal heart rate range for an adult at rest?

Accepted Answer

60-100 bpm

Answer

40-60 bpm, which is a significantly low heart rate

Answer

50-80 bpm, which is a slightly low heart rate

Answer

80-120 bpm, which is a slightly elevated heart rate

Question 39

Which of the following factors is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease?

Accepted Answer

Hypertension, which is high blood pressure and can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of plaque buildup

Answer

Multiple sclerosis, which is a neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord and is not a direct risk factor for coronary artery disease

Answer

Leukemia, which is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow and is not a direct risk factor for coronary artery disease

Answer

Asthma, which is a respiratory condition that affects the airways and is not a direct risk factor for coronary artery disease

Question 40

What is the purpose of performing a capillary refill test?

Accepted Answer

To assess peripheral circulation by applying pressure to a fingernail or toe and observing how quickly the color returns after the pressure is released

Answer

To identify valve murmurs, which are abnormal sounds that can indicate heart valve problems

Answer

To determine the heart rate, which can be estimated by counting the number of beats heard over one minute

Answer

To measure blood pressure, which requires the use of a sphygmomanometer

Question 41

What is a common symptom of a myocardial infarction?

Accepted Answer

Chest pain, which can be severe, crushing, or burning and is often described as pressure or tightness

Answer

Nasal congestion, which is not a common symptom of a myocardial infarction

Answer

Abdominal cramps, which can be a symptom of a myocardial infarction but is not as common as chest pain

Answer

Confusion, which can be a symptom of a myocardial infarction but is not as common as chest pain

Question 42

What is the normal range of the QT interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG)?

Accepted Answer

0.40-0.44 seconds

Answer

0.50-0.55 seconds, which is a slightly prolonged QT interval

Answer

0.60-0.65 seconds, which is a significantly prolonged QT interval

Answer

0.30-0.35 seconds, which is a slightly shortened QT interval

Question 43

During cardiac auscultation, a soft, swishing sound is heard between the S1 and S2 heart sounds. This finding is most suggestive of which condition?

Accepted Answer

A heart murmur

Answer

A normal heart sound

Answer

A pericardial friction rub

Answer

A split S2 sound

Question 44

A patient with a history of hypertension presents for a cardiovascular assessment. Which of the following findings would raise the most concern?

Accepted Answer

Bounding radial pulses

Answer

Clear breath sounds

Answer

Regular heart rhythm

Answer

Normal capillary refill

Question 45

During assessment of the jugular venous pulse, jugular venous distention is observed. This finding may be indicative of which underlying condition?

Accepted Answer

Right-sided heart failure

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Hypovolemia

Answer

Left-sided heart failure

Question 46

A patient reports experiencing chest pain. Which question would be most important to ask in order to assess the nature of the pain?

Accepted Answer

Can you describe the quality of the pain?

Answer

Have you had this pain before?

Answer

Is the pain worse when you breathe in?

Question 47

During an electrocardiogram (ECG), a prolonged QRS complex is observed. This finding may indicate which condition?

Accepted Answer

A conduction delay in the ventricles

Answer

A normal heart rhythm

Answer

A heart murmur

Answer

A rapid heart rate

Question 48

A patient reports experiencing shortness of breath. Which question would be most helpful in assessing the severity of their dyspnea?

Accepted Answer

How many pillows do you need to sleep comfortably?

Answer

Does it hurt when you breathe?

Answer

What makes it worse?

Answer

Have you had this before?

Question 49

During assessment of peripheral pulses, which finding would be considered abnormal?

Accepted Answer

Absent pedal pulses

Answer

Normal capillary refill

Answer

2+ radial pulses bilaterally

Answer

Strong brachial pulses

Question 50

Which of the following is a common symptom of heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Edema in the lower extremities

Answer

Increased appetite

Answer

Decreased thirst

Answer

Improved sleep quality

Question 51

A patient presents with a history of atrial fibrillation. Which finding on an ECG would confirm the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Irregularly irregular heart rhythm

Answer

Elevated ST segment

Answer

Presence of a heart murmur

Answer

Prolonged QRS complex