Questions 55

ATI RN

ATI RN Test Bank

Cardiovascular System Practice Exam Questions

Question 1 of 5

The client is on spironolactone (Aldactone). What is the most important dietary instruction?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to avoid foods high in potassium. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, meaning it helps the body retain potassium and can lead to hyperkalemia if too much potassium is consumed.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because increasing intake of potassium-rich foods can worsen hyperkalemia, while avoiding foods high in sodium is not the primary concern when taking spironolactone.

Question 2 of 5

The nurse is giving digoxin to a client. What is the most important parameter to check before administration?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Heart rate. Before administering digoxin, it is crucial to check the client's heart rate because digoxin can cause bradycardia, an abnormally slow heart rate. Monitoring the heart rate is essential to prevent potential complications associated with digoxin therapy.

Choices B, C, and D are less critical parameters to assess before administering digoxin. While blood pressure is also important to monitor during digoxin therapy, the most crucial parameter to check due to the medication's potential effect on heart rate is the heart rate itself.

Question 3 of 5

What structure separates the left and right sides of the heart?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The interventricular septum is the correct answer as it is the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart, ensuring the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood do not mix. The endocardium is the inner lining of the heart chambers, the epicardium is the outermost layer of the heart wall, and the pericardium is the sac that surrounds the heart, providing protection and anchoring the heart in place.
Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect in the context of separating the left and right sides of the heart.

Question 4 of 5

This heart condition is characterized by decreased cardiac output and tissue perfusion, which can lead to organ failure.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cardiogenic shock. Cardiogenic shock is a severe condition characterized by the heart's inability to pump enough blood, leading to decreased cardiac output and tissue perfusion, which can result in organ failure.
Choice B, Myocardial infarction, specifically refers to a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.

Choices C and D, Endocarditis and Pericarditis, do not directly involve decreased cardiac output leading to organ failure, making them incorrect in the context of the symptoms described in the question.

Question 5 of 5

Which term refers to the contraction phase of the heart when blood is ejected from the chambers?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, systole. Systole is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers. During diastole (choice
B), the heart relaxes and fills with blood, contrasting with systole. Contractility (choice
C) refers to the ability of the heart to contract effectively. Afterload (choice
D) is the pressure the heart must work against to eject blood during systole.

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