ATI LPN
Cardiovascular Assessment Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient with left-sided heart failure is having difficulty breathing. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: High Fowler's position (C) elevates the head to reduce pulmonary congestion and ease breathing in left-sided heart failure.
Question 2 of 5
Which action will the nurse in the hypertension clinic take in order to obtain an accurate baseline blood pressure(BP) for a new patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient should be seated with the feet flat on the floor. The BP is obtained in both arms, and the results of the two arms are not averaged. The patient does not need to be in the supine position. The cuff should be deflated at 2 to 3 mm Hg per second.
Question 3 of 5
An older adult is newly diagnosed with primary hypertension and has just been started on a beta-blocker. The nurse's health education should include which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elderly people have impaired cardiovascular reflexes and are more sensitive to postural hypotension. The nurse teaches patients to change positions slowly when moving from lying or sitting positions to a standing position, and counsels elderly patients to use supportive devices as necessary to prevent falls that could result from dizziness. Lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity/exercise, and a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, is strongly recommended. Increasing fluids in elderly patients may be contraindicated due to cardiovascular disease. Increased intracranial pressure is not a risk and activity should not normally be limited.
Question 4 of 5
The critical care nurse is caring for a patient just admitted in a hypertensive emergency. The nurse should anticipate the administration of what medication?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The medications of choice in hypertensive emergencies are those that have an immediate effect. IV vasodilators, including sodium nitroprusside (Nitropress), nicardipine hydrochloride (Cardene), clevidipine (Cleviprex), fenoldopam mesylate (Corlopam), enalaprilat, and nitroglycerin, have immediate actions that are short lived (minutes to 4 hours), and they are therefore used for initial treatment. Ramipril is administered orally and would not meet the patient's immediate need for BP management. Diuretics, such as Lasix, are not used as initial treatments and there is no indication for anticoagulants such as Coumadin.
Question 5 of 5
Regarding NO synthase:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NO synthase is inactivated by haemoglobin, which binds to nitric oxide and reduces its bioavailability.