Home › DHA exam › Cardiovascular Nursing
DHA Cardiovascular Nursing Practice Questions
Cardiovascular questions focus on recognising deterioration and acting quickly: chest pain, heart failure, dangerous rhythms and anticoagulation safety. Below are 5 free sample questions for the DHA Registered Nurse exam, each with the answer and a rationale.
What this topic covers
- Acute coronary syndrome and MI priorities
- Left vs right heart failure
- Rhythm recognition (AF, VT, VF, asystole)
- DVT, PE and anticoagulation
- Hypertension and antihypertensives
- Cardiac catheterisation care
The full bank has 110 cardiovascular nursing questions, part of 1,500 questions across 16 nursing topics.
Free DHA cardiovascular nursing questions
1. What is the antidote for an overdose of unfractionated heparin?
- A. Digoxin immune fab
- B. Naloxone
- C. Protamine sulfate
- D. Vitamin K
Show answer and rationale
Protamine sulfate neutralises heparin. Vitamin K reverses warfarin.
Reference: Standard nursing pharmacology – heparin
2. A patient develops chest pain several days after a myocardial infarction. Which feature suggests pericarditis rather than new ischaemia?
- A. The pain is accompanied by ST depression during exercise
- B. The pain is relieved by sitting up and leaning forward
- C. The pain is relieved by nitroglycerin
- D. The pain radiates to the jaw during exertion
Show answer and rationale
Pericardial pain is typically sharp, worse on lying flat or deep breathing, and eased by sitting up and leaning forward; a pericardial friction rub may be heard. Ischaemic pain is usually relieved by nitrates and rest.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – pericarditis
3. Which group of findings, known as Beck's triad, suggests cardiac tamponade?
- A. Hypotension, distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds
- B. Hypertension, bradycardia and irregular breathing
- C. Fever, new murmur and splinter haemorrhages
- D. Wheezing, cough and pink frothy sputum
Show answer and rationale
Fluid in the pericardial sac compresses the heart, causing low blood pressure, raised jugular venous pressure and muffled heart sounds. Hypertension, bradycardia and irregular breathing (Cushing's triad) suggest raised intracranial pressure.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – cardiac tamponade
4. A patient with intermittent claudication is starting a walking programme. Which instruction is correct?
- A. Stop walking completely once any pain is felt and do not restart
- B. Walk until the pain starts, rest until it goes, then continue walking
- C. Walk as fast as possible for 5 minutes once a week
- D. Walk only on days when there is no pain at all
Show answer and rationale
Supervised walking to the point of claudication, resting, and repeating over 30–60 minutes most days improves walking distance by promoting collateral circulation.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – peripheral artery disease
5. A patient with atrial fibrillation suddenly develops severe pain, pallor and numbness in the right leg, and the pedal pulse cannot be felt. What should the nurse do?
- A. Apply a hot water bottle to the foot
- B. Encourage the patient to walk around
- C. Elevate the leg and reassess in 2 hours
- D. Notify the physician immediately as an emergency
Show answer and rationale
Sudden pain, pallor, pulselessness and paraesthesia suggest acute arterial occlusion, often from an embolus in atrial fibrillation. The limb is at risk and needs urgent treatment; heat and elevation can worsen ischaemia.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – acute arterial ischaemia
Study tip
For chest pain scenarios, think ABCs and time: what must happen in the first few minutes, and what can wait.
Practise the full DHA bank
Unlock all 1,500 questions, practice by topic, and unlimited timed 100-question mock tests in the DHA format (150 minutes, 65% practice pass mark). One-time $19.
More DHA practice topics
DHA exam guide: format, booking and study plan →