ATI RN
Cardiovascular Drugs PDF Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient being treated for major depression is the CEO of her own business. She has shown significant improvement and is about to be discharged after completing a course of 15 electroconvulsive therapy sessions. She will continue on SSRI medications. The patient has been counseled not to make a major business decision for a month. The rationale for this is that:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: ECT often causes temporary memory impairment. ECT is known to cause short-term memory loss and cognitive side effects. As the patient has just completed 15 sessions of ECT, it is important to allow time for her memory and cognitive function to recover before making major decisions. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because SSRIs typically do not cause confusion, lingering depression alone does not make a person incompetent, and the patient's need for readjustment to work pressures is not directly related to the potential memory impairment caused by ECT.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse instructs a patient taking a drug that inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) to avoid certain foods and drugs because of the risk of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (C): MAO inhibitors prevent the breakdown of monoamines, leading to increased levels of norepinephrine and tyramine. Ingesting tyramine-rich foods or drugs can cause a sudden and dangerous rise in blood pressure, resulting in a hypertensive crisis. This is because tyramine displaces norepinephrine, leading to excessive vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure. Incorrect Choices: A: Cardiac dysrhythmia is not directly associated with MAO inhibitors. B: Hypotensive shock is contradictory as MAO inhibitors increase blood pressure. D: Cardiogenic shock is not a typical risk associated with MAO inhibitors.
Question 3 of 5
A genetic counselor is called by the hospital to see patients with genetic questions or concerns. With which patient would it be most appropriate for the counselor to speak?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because a pregnant patient with multiple sclerosis may have concerns about the impact of their condition and potential genetic risks for the baby. The genetic counselor can provide information on genetic factors, potential risks, and support options for the patient and their family. Incorrect choices: B: While mental health is important, a genetic counselor is not the most appropriate professional to address a recent suicide attempt. C: The number of drugs prescribed does not directly relate to genetic counseling needs. D: Schizophrenia and multiple hospital admissions may require psychiatric care but do not necessarily warrant genetic counseling unless there are specific genetic concerns related to the condition.
Question 4 of 5
A patient is to receive local anesthesia for removal of a lymph node from his armpit. The physician asks for a solution of premixed lidocaine and epinephrine. The nurse knows that the epinephrine is used for which reason?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because epinephrine is added to lidocaine to vasoconstrict blood vessels, keeping the anesthetic at its local site of action and decreasing incisional bleeding. This helps prolong the duration of anesthesia and reduces the risk of systemic toxicity. A: Incorrect. Epinephrine does not prevent an anaphylactic reaction; it is added for vasoconstrictive effects. B: Incorrect. The anesthetic does not enhance the effect of epinephrine. They have separate roles. C: Incorrect. Epinephrine does not contribute to a balanced anesthetic state; it primarily acts on blood vessels.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is reviewing drug therapy for hypertension. According to the JNC 7 guidelines, antihypertensive drug therapy for a newly diagnosed stage 1 hypertensive African-American patient would most likely include which drug or drug classes?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Calcium channel blockers with thiazide diuretics. This combination is recommended for African-American patients with hypertension according to the JNC 7 guidelines. Calcium channel blockers are effective in this population due to their ability to improve blood pressure control. Thiazide diuretics are also effective and can further reduce blood pressure when combined with calcium channel blockers. Choice A (Vasodilators alone) is not typically recommended as first-line therapy. Choice B (ACE inhibitors alone) may be less effective in African-American patients. Choice D (Beta blockers with thiazide diuretics) is not the preferred combination for this patient population based on current guidelines.