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CNA Cardiovascular Nursing Certification Exam — Information & Free Practice

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About CNA Cardiovascular Nursing Certification Exam

CNA Cardiovascular Nursing Certification Exam · CA

Key exam facts

Provider
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), national certification owner; Meazure Learning develops and maintains the examinations with specialty experts. ProctorU delivers online proctoring; Meazure Learning administers in-person testing.
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination, offered online at home with ProctorU or in selected Canadian in-person Meazure Learning centres. Blueprint presentation: 60–70% independent questions, 30–40% case-based questions. This practice bank uses independent four-option questions.
Exam questions
Total questions: 160–165.
Time limit
Four hours (240 minutes) to answer the examination questions; this is the working time, not a check-in or tutorial allowance.
Passing score
Numerical pass mark is not published. The specialty examination committee sets the standard using a modified Angoff method, supported by statistical validation. Results are reported as pass or unsuccessful; no public scaled-score threshold is supplied.
Exam fee
Canadian initial-exam fees: CNA members $588; non-members $780, plus applicable taxes. Additional appointment fee: $85 for online ProctorU or $110 for an in-person Meazure Learning centre. Reduced rewrite application fee: $378 for members or $500 for non-members following an unsuccessful exam, valid for the next two calendar years. Application fees include a non-refundable $130 administrative fee. The Canadian fee page prints amounts with $, without an explicit ISO currency code.

Topics covered

The authority publishes percentage ranges for each content area. The practice percentages below use the midpoint of each range, normalized to 100%; they are not exact percentages published by the authority. Practice question counts may differ slightly because of rounding.

  • Health Promotion, Prevention and Rehabilitation — Official range: 5–10% (Practice allocation: 7.43%)

    • Identifies and interprets the impact of the interdependent and cumulative effects of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors on the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease
    • Selects the appropriate nursing interventions to reduce current and potential cardiovascular risks
    • Interprets collected data and information related to functional capacity, psychosocial well-being and perceived quality of life (e.g., validated questionnaires, cardiac and other diagnostic tests)
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions to optimize functional capacity, enhance psychosocial well-being and improve perceived quality of life (e.g., education and counselling of client and family, referral to appropriate resources)
    • Recognizes their place of privilege and power in the nurse-client relationship and works in partnership with the client
    • Understands that Indigenous peoples will not access the health-care system (and its practitioners) when they do not feel safe doing so and where encountering the health-care system places them at risk of harm
    • Is aware that there is a range of Indigenous health knowledges and practices (traditional and non- traditional) among Indigenous peoples

  • Psychosocial Needs — Official range: 5–10% (Practice allocation: 7.43%)

    • Integrates the following information into nursing assessment and care planning related to the psychosocial needs based on the client’s: • emotional response to the cardiovascular illness • perceived experience with the health-care system • perceived current and past experiences caregiver support treatment adherence cultural and spiritual values/beliefs financial situation
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions to promote holistic care:
    • Demonstrate respectful engagement that is free of personal biases, stigma and judgment
    • Assist clients and their families to make informed choices about their care within a shared decision-making framework
    • Provide appropriate support for the client and family members based upon their perceived needs and goals for treatment, recovery, rehabilitation, palliation and end of life (e.g., autonomy, disability, advance care planning, organ donation)
    • Implement pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods to manage the manifestations of pain, anxiety, stress, disruption in sleep patterns, depression and fear (e.g., medications, therapeutic communication, complementary non-pharmacological therapies)
    • Facilitate referrals as needed (e.g., social worker, spiritual counsellor, mental health professional, palliative care provider)

  • Cardiac Dysrhythmias — Official range: 10–15% (Practice allocation: 12.38%)

    • Integrates the following information into nursing assessment and care planning related to dysrhythmias:
    • History taking • Presenting symptoms (e.g., dizziness, pre-syncope, syncope, dyspnea, palpitations) • Current and past medical history (e.g., sleep apnea, renal disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiomyopathy, thyroid dysfunction, stimulant intake, congenital heart disease) • Cardiac risk factors (e.g., family history/sudden cardiac death, diabetes, hypertension) • Medications (e.g., prescription and non-prescription, herbal supplements) • Psychosocial history (e.g., substance use, including alcohol) • Evaluation of social and family support (activities of daily living assessment, driving restrictions, occupation)
    • Physical/cardiovascular assessment • Inspection (e.g., body habitus, shortness of breath) • Auscultation (e.g., murmurs, bruits) • Palpation (e.g., pulses, edema)
    • Electrolytes, cardiac enzymes, drug level and other common supporting laboratory investigations
    • 12- and/or 15-lead ECG, electrophysiology studies and other common supporting diagnostic tests
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions related to non-life-threatening and life-threatening dysrhythmias (e.g., administration of medication, participation in electrical therapy, education about DVT prevention)
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions for potential complications related to dysrhythmias (e.g., medication administration, monitoring client, preparing for treatment)
    • Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of appropriate dysrhythmia management, including device therapy, and an ability to provide education and support for the client/family (e.g., provide psychosocial and emotional support, follow-up instructions and requirements)

  • Ischemic Heart Disease — Official range: 15–20% (Practice allocation: 17.33%)

    • Integrates the following information into nursing assessment and care planning for clients with acute or chronic ischemic heart disease:
    • History taking • Presenting symptoms • Past and current medical and surgical history (e.g., diabetes, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease) • Cardiac risk factors (e.g., gender, ethnicity) • Medications and alternative therapies (e.g., prescription and non-prescription, herbal supplements, cannabis, potential interactions) • Psychosocial history (e.g., substance use) • Perceived health and coping challenges (e.g., comprehension, activities of daily living)
    • Comprehensive pain assessment
    • Physical/cardiovascular assessment • Inspection (e.g., skin colour, diaphoresis, peripheral and central cyanosis, shortness of breath, edema, markers of frailty) • Auscultation (e.g., lung sounds, heart sounds) • Palpation (e.g., pulses, thrills, pitting edema)
    • Cardiac biomarkers and other common supporting laboratory investigations
    • 12- and/or 15-lead ECG, angiography, ultrasound and other common supporting diagnostic tests
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions to improve coronary blood flow and/or reduce myocardial oxygen demand related to acute and chronic ischemic conditions (e.g., manage chest pain, monitor hemodynamic status)
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions for potential complications of ischemic heart disease
    • Demonstrates an ability to provide education and support for the client and family

  • Valvular Heart Disease — Official range: 5–10% (Practice allocation: 7.43%)

    • Integrates the following information into nursing assessment and care planning related to congenital and acquired valvular heart disease:
    • History taking • Presenting symptoms • Current and past medical history (e.g., rheumatic heart disease, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, endocarditis, surgical history) • Dental assessment/intervention • Cardiac risk factors • Medications (e.g., prescription and non-prescription, herbal supplements) • Psychosocial history (e.g., substance use disorder) • Evaluation of social and family support
    • Physical/cardiovascular assessment • Inspection (e.g., petechiae, splinter hemorrhages, manifestations of heart failure) • Auscultation (e.g., heart sounds/murmurs, lung sounds) • Palpation (e.g., differentiation of peripheral pulses, thrills, heaves/lifts)
    • Complete blood count (CBC), blood cultures, coagulation status, heart failure biomarkers and other common supporting laboratory investigations
    • Echocardiogram and other common diagnostic tests
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions to manage clients with potential complications of valvular heart disease (e.g., monitoring client for sign of possible embolic event, hemodynamic and volume assessment, promotion of preventative measures)
    • Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of valvular heart disease management, including percutaneous and surgical therapy, and an ability to provide education and support for the client/family (e.g., promote self-care and independence in clients, anticoagulation education, endocarditis prevention)

  • Heart Failure — Official range: 15–20% (Practice allocation: 17.33%)

    • Integrates the following information into nursing assessment and care planning related to acute and chronic heart failure pathophysiology:
    • History taking • Presenting symptoms (e.g., shortness of breath, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, edema) • Underlying etiology if known (e.g., ischemic, valvular, viral, infiltrative) • Trigger for clinical deterioration (e.g., flu, medication/diet non-adherence) • Past and current medical history (e.g., coronary artery disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease, hypertension) • Cardiac risk factors • Medications and alternative therapies (e.g., prescription and non-prescription, herbal supplements, cannabis, potential interactions) • Psychosocial history (e.g., substance use, occupation) • Perceived health and coping challenges (e.g., cognition, activities of daily living) • Evaluation of social and family support
    • Physical/cardiovascular assessment • Functional assessment (e.g., markers of frailty, cognitive assessment, 6-minute walk) • Inspection (e.g., jugular vein distention, ascites, work of breathing, edema, weight) • Auscultation (e.g., lung sounds, heart sounds, murmurs, blood pressure) • Palpation (e.g., pulses, apical displacement, organomegaly, pitting edema)
    • Cardiac biomarkers and other common supporting laboratory investigations
    • Cardiac and other common supporting diagnostic tests
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions to optimize cardiac output of acute and chronic heart failure management (e.g., pharmacological and non-pharmacological management)
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions to help client gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to engage in self-care maintenance, monitoring and management (e.g., counsel client/family, enhance psychosocial well-being)
    • Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of appropriate device therapies for heart failure management and an ability to provide education and support the client/family
    • Engages in dialogue to support end-of-life planning:
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions to address the palliative needs of the client with heart failure (e.g., advance care planning, symptom management, community and home care services, family and caregiver support, spiritual support)
    • Engages the person in dialogue to better understand the nature and meaning of their request for MAiD
    • Understands that nurses must not impose their own views and values about MAiD onto others nor use their position to influence, judge or discriminate against others whose values are different from their own
    • Understands MAiD may have a personal impact that may affect their practice and takes steps to seek support as needed

  • Vascular Diseases — Official range: 5–15% (Practice allocation: 9.9%)

    • Integrates the following information into nursing assessment and care planning related to acute or chronic peripheral vascular diseases including the pathophysiology of arterial and venous vascular disease:
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions to improve blood flow and prevent complications of acute or chronic peripheral vascular diseases (e.g., counselling in smoking cessation, limb repositioning and use of supporting devices)
    • History taking • Presenting symptoms (e.g., rest pain, claudication, calf pain, edema) • Current and past medical history (e.g., ischemic heart disease, stroke/transient ischemic attack [TIA], deep vein thrombosis, surgical history, trauma) • Cardiovascular risk factors • Medications (e.g., prescription and non-prescription, herbal supplements) • Psychosocial history (e.g., substance use, travel history) • Evaluation of social and family support
    • Pain assessment
    • Physical/cardiovascular assessment to identify arterial and/or venous occlusion (e.g., the 6 P’s [pain, paralysis, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, poikilothermia], ankle-brachial index, lower limb wounds/ulcers)
    • Coagulation studies, D-dimer and other common laboratory investigations indicative of acute ischemia
    • Cardiovascular and other common diagnostic tests (e.g., Doppler ultrasounds, venogram, angiogram, CT, MRI) Selects appropriate nursing interventions to improve blood flow and prevent complications of acute or chronic peripheral vascular diseases (e.g., counselling in smoking cessation, limb repositioning and use of supporting devices)
    • Interprets the following data related to aortic aneurysms, aortic dissection:
    • History taking • Presenting symptoms • Current and past medical history (e.g., hypertension, trauma injuries, connective tissue disorders, ischemic heart disease, renal disease) • Cardiovascular risk factors • Medications (e.g., prescription and non-prescription, herbal supplements) • Psychosocial history (e.g., recent accidents, falls, substance use) • Evaluation of social and family support
    • Pain assessment
    • Physical/system assessment to identify presence of aneurysm or aortic dissection • Inspection (e.g., pulsatile mass, abdominal distention, skin colour changes [mottling]) • Auscultation (e.g., bilateral limb blood pressures[s], bruits, bilateral pulse comparisons) • Palpation (e.g., diminished or absent peripheral pulses, pulsatile mass)
    • CBC, coagulation and other common laboratory investigations (e.g., type and crossmatch, electrolytes, renal function, blood gases, cardiac biomarkers)
    • Cardiovascular and other common diagnostic tests (e.g., computerized tomography [CT] scan, ultrasound)
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions to maintain client’s condition with acute or chronic presentation of large vessel dissection or aneurysm (e.g., monitor hemodynamic stability and tissue perfusion, pain control)
    • Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of surgical and medical management of large vessel diseases and an ability to provide education and support for the client/family (e.g., promote self-care and independence, promote risk factor reduction)

  • Heart Disease Related to Inflammatory/Infectious Processes — Official range: 1–5% (Practice allocation: 2.97%)

    • Integrates the following information into nursing assessment and care planning related to the impact of the cardiac inflammatory/infectious disease, including pericarditis, endocarditis, and myocarditis:
    • History taking • Presenting symptoms (e.g., manifestations of a heart failure, symptoms of infection, joint pain) • Current and past medical history (e.g., congenital heart disease, recent dental and other invasive/surgical procedures, recent myocardial infarction, recent infections, autoimmune syndromes, radiation therapy, pregnancy) • Cardiovascular risk factors • • • Medications (e.g., prescription and non-prescription, herbal supplements) Psychosocial history (e.g., intravenous drug use) Evaluation of social and family support
    • Pain assessment
    • Physical/system assessment • Inspection (e.g., lethargy, joints, temperature, dental status) • Auscultation (e.g., heart sounds, pericardial friction rub, murmurs, lung sounds) • Palpation (e.g., pulses)
    • Common laboratory investigations (e.g., blood cultures, inflammatory markers, CBC, electrolytes, coagulation studies [PTT and INR], viral titres)
    • Cardiac and other common diagnostic tests (e.g., 12/15-lead ECG, echocardiograms, CT scan, cardiac biopsy)
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions related to the management of pericarditis/pericardial effusion, including manifestations of tamponade (e.g., monitoring hemodynamic status, administration of medication, pain control, preparation for cardiac procedures)
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions related to the management of myocarditis including manifestations of acute heart failure (e.g., monitoring hemodynamic status, preparation for cardiac procedures)
    • Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of surgical and medical management of pericarditis/pericardial effusion and myocarditis to provide education and support for the client/family (e.g., promote self-care and independence in clients, regular monitoring and follow- up)

  • Cardiac Surgical Intervention — Official range: 5–10% (Practice allocation: 7.43%)

    • Integrates the following information into nursing assessment and care planning for cardiac surgery:
    • History taking • Presenting symptoms/medical diagnosis • Cardiac risk factors • Past and current medical and surgical history (e.g., malignant hyperthermia, cancer and radiation therapy, blood transfusion reaction, dental history, heparin sensitivity, cognitive assessment, thromboembolic disease) • Medications (e.g., prescription and non-prescription, herbal supplements, anticoagulants) • Psychosocial history (e.g., substance use disorder) • Evaluation of social and family support
    • Physical assessment/system assessment • Inspection (e.g., height and weight, signs of infection, edema, varicosities) • Auscultation (e.g., lung sounds, heart sounds, murmurs, blood pressure, bruits) • Palpation (e.g., pulses, Allen’s test)
    • Standard preoperative and other common supporting laboratory investigations
    • Cardiac and other common supporting diagnostic tests
    • Selects appropriate preoperative nursing interventions to enhance recovery and manage potential complications of cardiac surgery (e.g., client/family education, postoperative recovery and discharge planning, prepare client for anti-coagulation bridging, surgical checklist)
    • Selects appropriate postoperative nursing interventions to detect, monitor and manage early and late potential complications of cardiac surgery (e.g., early and progressive mobilization, appropriate pain-relief strategy, assessing and monitoring hemodynamic and fluid status, monitoring and managing end organ function)
    • Selects appropriate pain control interventions for clients who use substances
    • Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of cardiac surgical procedures and an ability to provide education and support to the client and family

  • Percutaneous Cardiac Interventions and Procedures — Official range: 5–10% (Practice allocation: 7.43%)

    • Integrates the following pre-procedure information into nursing assessment and care planning related to potential complications of various percutaneous cardiac interventions:
    • History taking • Medical diagnosis/presenting symptoms • Cardiac risk factors • Past and current medical history (e.g., age and comorbidities, previous vascular and cardiac surgeries, renal function) • Medications (e.g., prescription and non-prescription, herbal supplements, contrast sensitivity) • Evaluation of social and family support, activities of daily living assessment
    • Pain assessment (e.g., ischemic, chronic, access site)
    • Physical assessment/cardiovascular assessment • Inspection (e.g., weight, access site and prep) • Auscultation (e.g., lung sounds, heart sounds, bruits, blood pressure) • Palpation (e.g., peripheral pulses, Allen’s test)
    • Standard preoperative and other common supporting laboratory investigations
    • Cardiac and other common supporting diagnostic tests
    • Selects appropriate pre-procedure nursing interventions to enhance recovery and manage potential complications (e.g., client/family education, pre-procedural checklist, discharge planning)
    • Selects appropriate post-procedure nursing interventions to prevent, detect, monitor and manage early and late potential complications (e.g., site integrity, perfusion assessment, pain control)
    • Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of various percutaneous cardiac interventions and an ability to provide education and support to the client and family

  • Cardiogenic Shock — Official range: 1–5% (Practice allocation: 2.97%)

    • Integrates the following information into nursing assessment and care planning related to cardiogenic shock:
    • History taking • Presenting symptoms (e.g., manifestations of low cardiac output state) • Past and current medical history (e.g., recent cardiac event[s], trauma, failed reperfusion strategies, late presentation for treatment, valvular heart disease) • Cardiac risk factors • Medications and alternative therapies (e.g., prescription and non-prescription, herbal supplements) • Psychosocial history (substance use)
    • Physical/system assessment • Inspection (e.g., signs of inadequate perfusion) • Auscultation (e.g., lung sounds, heart sounds, murmur, blood pressure[s]) • Palpation (e.g., peripheral pulses, skin temperature, capillary refill)
    • Common laboratory investigations (e.g., serum electrolytes, renal and liver function, lactate, CBC, coagulation studies [PTT and INR], blood gases, biomarkers)
    • Cardiac and other common diagnostic tests (e.g., echocardiograms, pulmonary artery pressure assessments)
    • Selects appropriate nursing interventions related to cardiogenic shock to re-establish hemodynamic stability (e.g., maintaining airway, breathing, circulation, ECG and blood pressure monitoring)
    • Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of surgical and medical management of cardiogenic shock (e.g., using inotropic medication and circulatory support devices)
    • Demonstrates an ability to provide education and support for the client/family (e.g., crisis management, teaching about circulatory support devices)

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

Computer-based multiple-choice examination, offered online at home with ProctorU or in selected Canadian in-person Meazure Learning centres. Blueprint presentation: 60–70% independent questions, 30–40% case-based questions. This practice bank uses independent four-option questions.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 160–165.

How long is the exam?

Four hours (240 minutes) to answer the examination questions; this is the working time, not a check-in or tutorial allowance.

What is the passing score?

Numerical pass mark is not published. The specialty examination committee sets the standard using a modified Angoff method, supported by statistical validation. Results are reported as pass or unsuccessful; no public scaled-score threshold is supplied.

How much does the exam cost?

Canadian initial-exam fees: CNA members $588; non-members $780, plus applicable taxes. Additional appointment fee: $85 for online ProctorU or $110 for an in-person Meazure Learning centre. Reduced rewrite application fee: $378 for members or $500 for non-members following an unsuccessful exam, valid for the next two calendar years. Application fees include a non-refundable $130 administrative fee. The Canadian fee page prints amounts with $, without an explicit ISO currency code.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.