ATI RN
Pediatric Nursing Cardiovascular NCLEX Practice Quiz Questions
Question 1 of 5
A chest radiograph film is ordered for a child with suspected cardiac problems. The child’s parent asks the nurse, “What will the radiograph show about the heart?” What knowledge about the x-ray should the nurse include in the response to the parents?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A chest radiograph will provide information on the heart size and pulmonary blood-flow patterns. It will provide a baseline for future comparisons. The heart will be visible, as well as the sternum and ribs. Electrocardiography (ECG) measures the electrical potential generated from heart muscle. Echocardiography will produce a computerized image of the heart vessels and tissues by using sound waves.
Question 2 of 5
Which is best described as the inability of the heart to pump an adequate amount of blood to the systemic circulation at normal filling pressures?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The definition of heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump an adequate amount of blood to the systemic circulation at normal filling pressures to meet the body’s metabolic demands. Pulmonary congestion is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Congenital heart defect is a malformation of the heart present at birth. Systemic venous congestion is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the systemic vasculature.
Question 3 of 5
A 6-month-old infant is receiving digoxin (Lanoxin). The nurse should notify the practitioner and withhold the medication if the apical pulse is less than _______ beats/min.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If the 1-minute apical pulse is below 90 to 110 beats/min, the digoxin should not be given to a 6-month-old. Sixty beats/min is the cut-off for holding the digoxin dose in an adult; 70 beats/min is the determining heart rate to hold a dose of digoxin for an older child; 110 to 120 beats/min is an acceptable heart rate to administer digoxin to a 6-month-old.
Question 4 of 5
An 8-month-old infant has a hypercyanotic spell while blood is being drawn. What is the priority nursing action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first action is to place the infant in the knee-chest position. Blow-by oxygen may be indicated. Neurologic defects are unlikely. The child should be assessed for airway, breathing, and circulation. Often, calming the child and administering oxygen and morphine can alleviate the hypercyanotic spell.
Question 5 of 5
Which is an important nursing consideration when suctioning a young child who has had heart surgery?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If suctioning is indicated, supplemental oxygen is administered with a manual resuscitation bag before and after the procedure to prevent hypoxia. Suctioning should be done only as indicated, not on a routine basis. The child should be suctioned for no more than 5 seconds at one time. Symptoms of respiratory distress are avoided by using appropriate technique.