ATI RN
ATI Cardiovascular Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient has multiple saw-toothed P waves at a rate of 300 beats per minute. This patient's rhythm is most likely
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Atrial flutter. Atrial flutter typically presents with a saw-tooth appearance of P waves at a rate of around 250-350 beats per minute. This rhythm is characterized by regular, rapid atrial depolarizations originating from a single ectopic focus in the atria. In contrast, Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) is usually faster with rates above 150 bpm, Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are isolated premature beats, and Atrial fibrillation is irregularly irregular with no defined P waves. Therefore, the saw-toothed P waves at a rate of 300 bpm align with the characteristics of atrial flutter.
Question 2 of 5
The client is given an alpha agonist. What might it be used for?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is reviewing the client’s medication list. Calcium channel blockers have a significant drug-drug interaction with what?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Digoxin. Calcium channel blockers can increase digoxin levels, leading to toxicity. Digoxin and calcium channel blockers both affect heart function, so combining them can cause arrhythmias. The other choices do not have a significant interaction with calcium channel blockers. Theophylline interacts with beta-blockers, hydrochlorothiazide interacts with lithium, and fentanyl interacts with other CNS depressants.
Question 4 of 5
The client has stable angina. What class of drug is used to treat angina? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Organic nitrates. Organic nitrates are vasodilators that help relax and widen blood vessels, reducing the workload on the heart and improving blood flow to the heart muscle, thus relieving angina symptoms. Digoxin (A) is used for heart failure and arrhythmias, not angina. Adenosine (C) is used for supraventricular tachycardia, not angina. Beta blockers (D) are also used to treat angina by reducing heart rate and blood pressure, but organic nitrates are the first-line treatment for stable angina.
Question 5 of 5
The client is on IV heparin. You explain that this drug does what?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because heparin works by inactivating clotting factors, specifically by enhancing the activity of antithrombin III which inhibits factors IIa (thrombin) and Xa. This prevents the formation of blood clots. Option A is incorrect because heparin does not act as an antiplatelet drug. Option B is incorrect because heparin does not decrease the synthesis of clotting factors. Option D is incorrect because heparin does not directly promote the lysis of fibrin.