A patient who is in the 10th week of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation continues to exhibit symptoms of depression. When developing a discharge plan, the cardiac-vascular nurse includes:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Persistent depression requires professional intervention (counseling and possibly antidepressants), as it’s a serious condition post-cardiac event. Herbal remedies (B) lack evidence here, C is adjunctive, and D may not address the root psychological issue.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaques (fatty deposits) in artery walls, leading to their hardening and narrowing (Choice A). Inflammation of the heart (Choice B) is myocarditis, weakening of blood vessels (Choice C) could describe aneurysms, and excessive clotting (Choice D) relates to thrombosis. Only 'hardening of the arteries' accurately defines atherosclerosis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In fetal circulation, the ductus venosus shunts oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein (carrying blood from the placenta) to the inferior vena cava, bypassing the liver. The foramen ovale connects the right atrium to the left atrium (not ventricles or pulmonary trunk), and the ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta (not pulmonary vein).

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: If the bundle of His is interrupted (complete heart block), the ventricles beat independently at their intrinsic rate (30-40 beats/min) via Purkinje fibers, while the atria follow the SA node. PR intervals become inconsistent, and QRS shape remains stable unless further complications arise.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The innermost layer of arteries (tunica intima) is lined with endothelium, a simple squamous epithelium specialized for smooth blood flow and exchange.