A client asks the nurse what the higher number in a blood pressure reading means. The nurse responds that the systolic pressure measures the pressure in the:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Systolic pressure (the higher number) measures the pressure in the arteries when the ventricles contract (systole), pumping blood into the systemic circulation. Atrial contraction contributes minimally to arterial pressure, and ventricular filling occurs during diastole.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Hemoglobin A (adult) has 2 α and 2 β polypeptide chains (globin) and 4 heme groups (iron-containing), allowing it to bind 4 oxygen molecules. ‘Globin molecules’ alone is vague and incorrect.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The absolute refractory period, when the heart is fully relaxed (early diastole) and unresponsive to stimuli, lasts ~0.2 seconds in a typical 0.8-second cardiac cycle (at 75 bpm). It aligns with ventricular relaxation before atrial systole. Other durations are too short or long for this phase.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Warfarin blocks vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Saying clients can’t eat green, leafy vegetables (C) is incorrect; they should maintain consistent vitamin K intake, not avoid it. Asking about supplements (A), monitoring vitamin K (B), and regular blood tests (D) are accurate. (Source: Document, p. 13-14)

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The left ventricle (B) has the thickest wall (~10-15 mm) to pump blood against high systemic resistance (~120 mmHg). The right ventricle (D) is thinner (~4-5 mm) for pulmonary circulation (~25 mmHg), and atria (A, C) are thinnest as they only pump to ventricles.