ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for a child with a cyanotic heart defect. Which signs should the nurse expect to observe?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: In a child with a cyanotic heart defect, the deoxygenated blood mixes with oxygenated blood, resulting in cyanosis (bluish skin). Hypertension can occur due to increased workload on the heart. Clubbing indicates chronic hypoxia. Lethargy is a common symptom of decreased oxygen levels. Summary of Other Choices: B: Hypotension is less likely due to increased workload on the heart. Crouching may be seen in some cases but is not a typical sign. Lethargy is common. C: Irritability is less common compared to lethargy. Clubbing is a common sign. Crouching may be seen but is not specific. D: Confusion and clonus are not typical signs of cyanotic heart defects. Crouching may occur, but it is not specific.
Question 2 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 3 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 4 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.
Question 5 of 5
Which parameter is elevated in right- sided heart failure?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: CVP. In right-sided heart failure, the right side of the heart is unable to effectively pump blood to the lungs, leading to increased pressure in the venous system. Central venous pressure (CVP) measures the pressure in the vena cava near the right atrium, reflecting the pressure in the right side of the heart. Elevated CVP is a key indicator of right-sided heart failure. Left-ventricular end-diastolic pressure (B) and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) (C) are more indicative of left-sided heart failure, not right-sided. Cardiac output (D) may decrease in heart failure, but it is not specific to right-sided heart failure.