ATI RN
Pediatric Nursing Cardiovascular NCLEX Practice Quiz Questions
Question 1 of 5
An emergency room nurse obtains the health history of a client. Which statement by the client should alert the nurse to the occurrence of heart failure?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, option A "I get short of breath when I climb stairs" is the correct answer that should alert the nurse to the occurrence of heart failure. Shortness of breath, especially during exertion like climbing stairs, is a common symptom of heart failure due to the heart's inability to pump effectively. This symptom is indicative of pulmonary congestion, a hallmark sign of heart failure. Option B "I see halos floating around my head" is unrelated to heart failure and is more suggestive of visual disturbances, possibly related to migraines or ocular issues. Option C "I have trouble remembering things" is not a typical symptom of heart failure. Memory issues could be related to various factors, but not directly indicative of heart failure. Option D "I have lost weight over the past month" is also not a specific symptom of heart failure. Weight loss in heart failure is often associated with severe cases and is usually accompanied by other symptoms like fluid retention and muscle wasting. In an educational context, understanding the specific symptoms of heart failure is crucial for nurses caring for pediatric patients. Recognizing these signs promptly can lead to early intervention and improved outcomes for the child. Educating nurses on differentiating symptoms of heart failure from other conditions is essential in providing high-quality care and ensuring patient safety.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse cares for a client who has advanced cardiac disease and states, I am having trouble sleeping at night. How should the nurse respond?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer to the question is option D) Use pillows to elevate your head and chest while you are sleeping. Rationale for the correct answer: Elevating the head and chest while sleeping helps reduce venous return to the heart, which decreases the workload on the heart. In patients with advanced cardiac disease, this position can help improve cardiac output and relieve symptoms like shortness of breath, which can occur when lying flat. Explanation for why the other options are wrong: A) Ordering a sleep study may be useful in some cases of sleep disturbances, but in this scenario, the client's issue is related to the cardiac disease, not a sleep disorder. B) Oxygen therapy is not indicated without assessing the client's oxygen saturation levels first. It is not the most appropriate initial intervention for difficulty sleeping. C) CPAP is primarily used for sleep apnea and may not be necessary for this client unless sleep apnea is diagnosed. Educational context: Understanding the appropriate positioning for clients with cardiac disease is crucial in managing their symptoms and improving outcomes. Elevating the head and chest can help alleviate symptoms like dyspnea and improve cardiac function by reducing the workload on the heart. Nurses need to be knowledgeable about these interventions to provide optimal care for patients with cardiovascular conditions.
Question 3 of 5
A chest radiograph film is ordered for a child with suspected cardiac problems. The child’s parent asks the nurse, “What will the radiograph show about the heart?” What knowledge about the x-ray should the nurse include in the response to the parents?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A chest radiograph will provide information on the heart size and pulmonary blood-flow patterns. It will provide a baseline for future comparisons. The heart will be visible, as well as the sternum and ribs. Electrocardiography (ECG) measures the electrical potential generated from heart muscle. Echocardiography will produce a computerized image of the heart vessels and tissues by using sound waves.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is preparing an adolescent for discharge after a cardiac catheterization. Which statement by the adolescent would indicate a need for further teaching?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The child does not need to be on strict bed rest for 3 days. Showers are recommended; children should avoid a tub bath. The pressure dressing is removed the day after the catheterization and replaced by an adhesive bandage to keep the area clean. Strenuous activity must be avoided for several days, but the child can return to school.
Question 5 of 5
Which is best described as the inability of the heart to pump an adequate amount of blood to the systemic circulation at normal filling pressures?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The definition of heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump an adequate amount of blood to the systemic circulation at normal filling pressures to meet the body’s metabolic demands. Pulmonary congestion is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Congenital heart defect is a malformation of the heart present at birth. Systemic venous congestion is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the systemic vasculature.