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: A systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg. Nitroglycerin ointment is a vasodilator that can further decrease blood pressure, potentially causing hypotension if the systolic BP is already below 90 mm Hg. Delaying the next dose allows time for the BP to stabilize. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because atrial fibrillation, headache, and skin redness at the site are not contraindications for administering nitroglycerin ointment.
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: The correct answer is C: Calcium level of 7.0 mg/dL. In a client with renal failure and myocardial infarction, low calcium levels can lead to arrhythmias and worsen heart function. The nurse should call the doctor to report this critical finding. Choice A: Potassium level of 5.0 mEq/L is within the normal range and not immediately concerning in this context. Choice B: Sodium level of 145 mEq/L is also within the normal range and not a priority in this situation. Choice D: Digoxin/digitalis level of 0.8 ng/mL is within the therapeutic range, so it's not an immediate concern unless there are clinical symptoms of toxicity.
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 initial action is to notify the physician (Choice C) about the sudden onset of leg pain, pallor, tingling, and loss of pulses, as these symptoms suggest acute arterial occlusion, a medical emergency. The physician needs to be informed immediately to assess the situation and determine the appropriate intervention, such as urgent revascularization. Elevating the leg (Choice A) may worsen the condition by reducing blood flow further. Wrapping the leg in a blanket (Choice B) is not recommended as it does not address the underlying arterial occlusion. Passive ROM exercises (Choice D) are contraindicated in this situation as they can potentially dislodge blood clots and exacerbate the blockage.
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: Rationale: Jugular vein distention is a common physical symptom in patients with left ventricular heart failure due to increased central venous pressure. This is caused by the heart's inability to effectively pump blood, leading to backflow and congestion in the venous system. Hepatomegaly is less likely to be a direct physical symptom and is more indicative of chronic liver disease. Dyspnea and crackles are also common in heart failure, but they are more related to pulmonary congestion and fluid accumulation in the lungs, rather than a direct physical symptom. Therefore, the correct answer is A.
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 nurse is describing the T wave. The T wave is upright, rounded, and symmetrical, occurring after the QRS complex on an ECG. The P wave represents atrial depolarization, the QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, and the ST segment represents the period between ventricular depolarization and repolarization. Therefore, the T wave is the only waveform that fits the given description.