ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 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 2 of 5
The client has a myocardial infarction and going into shock. What might be a medication to give to counteract shock in cases of myocardial infarction?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dopamine. Dopamine is a vasopressor that helps increase blood pressure and cardiac output, which can counteract shock in cases of myocardial infarction. It improves blood flow to vital organs. Atropine (A) is used for bradycardia, not shock. Digoxin (C) and Adenosine (D) are not indicated for treating shock in myocardial infarction as they have different mechanisms of action.
Question 3 of 5
The client is being given a beta blocker. What must the nurse do prior to giving the drug?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Check the apical pulse for one minute. Before administering a beta blocker, it is essential to assess the client's heart rate because beta blockers can slow down the heart rate. Checking the apical pulse for one minute allows the nurse to establish a baseline heart rate and determine if the client's heart rate is within the safe parameters for administering the medication. This step ensures the client's safety and helps monitor for any potential adverse effects related to bradycardia. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are not directly related to the specific action required prior to administering a beta blocker.
Question 4 of 5
The client is taking a calcium channel blocker for an arrhythmia. What is a contraindication to giving the client this drug?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome. Calcium channel blockers can worsen the pre-excitation in patients with WPW syndrome, leading to rapid conduction through the accessory pathway and potentially causing ventricular fibrillation. A: Hypertension is not a contraindication for calcium channel blockers as they are commonly used to treat hypertension. B: First degree AV block is not a contraindication, as calcium channel blockers can be used cautiously in patients with conduction abnormalities. D: Glaucoma is not a contraindication to calcium channel blockers, as they are not known to exacerbate glaucoma.
Question 5 of 5
The client has a decreased cardiac output. Which things can increase the client’s cardiac output? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increased heart rate. Increasing heart rate can help compensate for decreased cardiac output by improving the heart's efficiency in pumping blood. This allows for more blood to be pumped out of the heart per minute, ultimately increasing cardiac output. Decreased heart rate (choice A) would further decrease cardiac output by reducing the number of heartbeats per minute. Increased blood volume (choice C) can lead to increased preload and potentially worsen cardiac output in a compromised heart. Decreased venous return to the heart (choice D) reduces the amount of blood returning to the heart, which can also decrease cardiac output.