ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Test Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is working on a team responding to cardiac arrest in the hospital. Because the client's heart stopped, his body has gone into a state of acidosis. Which of the following medications would most likely correct metabolic acidosis that occurs during cardiac arrest?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sodium bicarbonate (C) corrects metabolic acidosis during cardiac arrest by buffering excess acid (low pH) from anaerobic metabolism. Lidocaine and procainamide (A, B) treat arrhythmias, and dobutamine (D) supports heart failure, not acidosis. (Source: Document, p. 9-10)
Question 2 of 5
What structures in the heart wall prevent the AV (atrioventricular) valves from opening up into the atria?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Papillary muscles (A) contract to pull chordae tendineae, preventing AV valves from inverting into atria during ventricular systole. Auricles (B) are atrial structures, the septum (C) separates ventricles, and endocardium (D) is a lining.
Question 3 of 5
A heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute is called
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Bradycardia (D) is a heart rate <60 bpm. Heart block (A) is a conduction issue, tachycardia (B) is >100 bpm, and fibrillation (C) is uncoordinated beating.
Question 4 of 5
Contraction of skeletal muscles will ___ venous return, thus ___ stroke volume.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Skeletal muscle contraction (muscle pump) compresses veins, increasing venous return (C), which increases preload and stroke volume per Frank-Starling’s law. A, B, D mismatch effects.
Question 5 of 5
Inflammation of veins, called ___ is a serious condition because a thromboembolism may occur.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Phlebitis (A) is vein inflammation, risking thromboembolism (clot dislodgement). Varicose veins (B) and hemorrhoids (C) are vein conditions, pulmonary embolism (D) is a result, not the condition.