ATI RN
Cardiovascular Test Bank Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
After the nurse teaches the patient about the use of carvedilol (Coreg) in preventing anginal episodes, which statement by a patient indicates that the teaching has been effective?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step 1: Carvedilol is a beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and prevent anginal episodes. Step 2: Suddenly stopping carvedilol can lead to rebound hypertension and worsening of heart condition. Step 3: Choice B indicates understanding of the importance of continuous use to prevent adverse effects. Step 4: Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the mechanism or effects of carvedilol. Summary: Choice B is correct as it demonstrates knowledge of the importance of not abruptly discontinuing carvedilol to avoid potential harm. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they provide inaccurate information regarding carvedilol's effects.
Question 2 of 5
When caring for a patient who has just arrived on the telemetry unit after having cardiac catheterization, which nursing intervention should the nurse delegate to a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Give the scheduled aspirin and lipid-lowering medication. This task can be safely delegated to an LPN/LVN as it involves administering medications within their scope of practice. LPNs/LVNs are trained to administer medications and can handle routine medication administration. Performing the initial assessment of the catheter insertion site (B) requires a higher level of assessment skill typically performed by a registered nurse. Teaching the patient about the postprocedure plan of care (C) involves patient education, which is usually done by a registered nurse. Titrating the heparin infusion (D) requires advanced knowledge and skill, usually performed by a registered nurse or advanced practice nurse.
Question 3 of 5
Which patient at the cardiovascular clinic requires the most immediate action by the nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The patient with stable angina experiencing an increase in chest pain frequency needs immediate action to assess for potential cardiac complications. Stable angina worsening could indicate unstable angina or even impending myocardial infarction. A: The patient with type 2 diabetes and blood glucose level of 145 mg/dL is within normal range and does not require immediate action. C: The patient with familial hypercholesterolemia and high cholesterol level requires long-term management but not immediate action unless experiencing acute symptoms. D: The patient with chronic hypertension and elevated blood pressure needs monitoring and possibly adjustment of medications, but it is not as urgent as the worsening chest pain in the patient with stable angina.
Question 4 of 5
A client has developed acute pulmonary edema. Which test result should the nurse expect?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Interstitial edema by chest X-ray. Pulmonary edema causes fluid accumulation in the lungs' interstitial spaces, visible on X-ray. Choice B is incorrect as pulmonary edema typically leads to respiratory acidosis, not metabolic alkalosis (Choice B). Choice C is incorrect as bradycardia is not a typical manifestation of acute pulmonary edema. Choice D is incorrect as pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is usually elevated in pulmonary edema, not decreased. Thus, the most appropriate test to confirm acute pulmonary edema is a chest X-ray showing interstitial edema.
Question 5 of 5
A client comes to the emergency department with a dissecting aortic aneurysm. The client is at greatest risk for:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: cardiogenic shock. Dissecting aortic aneurysm can lead to decreased cardiac output due to the disruption of normal blood flow in the aorta. This can result in heart failure and subsequent cardiogenic shock. Septic shock (choice A) is caused by severe infection, anaphylactic shock (choice B) is triggered by severe allergic reactions, and hypovolemic shock (choice D) is due to a significant loss of blood or fluids. However, in the case of a dissecting aortic aneurysm, the primary concern is the impact on cardiac function, making cardiogenic shock the greatest risk for the client.