ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client with unstable angina receives routine applications of nitroglycerin ointment. The nurse should delay the next dose if the client has:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because a systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg indicates hypotension, which can be exacerbated by nitroglycerin causing further blood pressure drop. Delaying the dose allows the blood pressure to stabilize. A: Atrial fibrillation is not a contraindication for nitroglycerin use. C: Headache is a common side effect of nitroglycerin but does not require delaying the dose. D: Skin redness at the current site may indicate a local reaction but does not necessarily require delaying the dose.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client with a history of renal failure and a new myocardial infarction. The nurse who is reviewing laboratory findings would call the doctor to report which of the following results?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Calcium level of 7.0 mg/dL Rationale: 1. In a client with renal failure and myocardial infarction, monitoring calcium levels is crucial due to potential electrolyte imbalances. 2. A calcium level of 7.0 mg/dL is abnormally low (normal range is 8.5-10.5 mg/dL), indicating hypocalcemia which can lead to cardiac arrhythmias. 3. Low calcium levels can worsen heart function and increase the risk of complications in a client with a recent myocardial infarction. 4. Calling the doctor to report this critical result is essential for prompt intervention to prevent adverse cardiac events. Summary of Other Choices: A: Potassium level of 5.0 mEq/L - Within normal range, not urgent in this scenario. B: Sodium level of 145 mEq/L - Within normal range, not a priority in this context. D: Digoxin/d
Question 3 of 5
A client with endocarditis develops sudden leg pain with pallor, tingling, and loss of peripheral pulses. The nurse's initial action should be to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Notify the physician about the findings. This is the most appropriate action as the client's symptoms suggest a potential complication like arterial embolism, which requires immediate medical intervention. Elevating the leg (choice A) may worsen circulation, wrapping the leg in a blanket (choice B) could further compromise blood flow, and performing passive ROM exercises (choice D) can be harmful if there is an arterial blockage. Notifying the physician promptly allows for timely assessment and treatment to prevent further complications.
Question 4 of 5
A newly admitted patient, diagnosed with a myocardial infarction and left ventricular heart failure might exhibit which of the following physical symptoms? Choose all that apply.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Jugular vein distention. In patients with left ventricular heart failure, increased pressure in the heart can lead to jugular vein distention due to backflow of blood. This is a common physical symptom seen in such patients. Incorrect choices: - B: Hepatomegaly is not a typical physical symptom of left ventricular heart failure. It may be seen in conditions like liver cirrhosis. - C: Dyspnea is a common symptom in heart failure but is not specific to left ventricular heart failure. - D: Crackles are indicative of fluid accumulation in the lungs, which is more common in right-sided heart failure rather than left ventricular heart failure.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is describing one of the waveforms to a novice critical care nurse. S/he describes this wave as being upright rounded and symmetrical and occurring after the QRS. The nurse is describing the
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: T wave. The T wave is upright, rounded, and symmetrical, occurring after the QRS complex on an ECG. This wave represents ventricular repolarization. The P wave (Choice A) represents atrial depolarization, the QRS complex (Choice B) represents ventricular depolarization, and the ST segment (Choice C) represents the period between ventricular depolarization and repolarization. Therefore, the T wave is the only waveform that fits the description given in the question.