ATI LPN
Cardiovascular Exam Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
Cor pulmonale refers to
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pulmonary disorders that result in increased pulmonary vascular resistance impose a high afterload on the right ventricle. The resultant right ventricular hypertrophy known as cor pulmonale may progress to right ventricular failure as the lung disease worsens. Biventricular failure is most often the result of primary left ventricular failure that progresses to the right. Cor pulmonale is not associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. Only 3% of MIs occur in the right ventricle.
Question 2 of 5
A patient is taking Digoxin. Prior to administration you check the patient's apical pulse and find it to be 61 bpm. Morning lab values are the following: K+ 3.3 and Digoxin level of 5 ng/mL. Which of the following is the correct nursing action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Digoxin level of 5 ng/mL indicates toxicity (>2 ng/mL); hold the dose and notify the physician (C).
Question 3 of 5
Which of the following represents the correct pathway of blood moving from the superior vena cava to the lungs?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Blood from the superior vena cava enters the right atrium, passes through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle, and exits via the pulmonary semilunar valve to the lungs.
Question 4 of 5
An older patient has been diagnosed with possible white coat hypertension. Which action will the nurse plan to take next?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Having the patient self-monitor BPs at home will provide a reliable indication about whether the patient has hypertension. Regular BP checks in the clinic are likely to be high in a patient with white coat hypertension. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may be used if the data from self-monitoring are unclear. Although elevated stress levels may contribute to hypertension, instructing the patient about this is unlikely to reduce BP.
Question 5 of 5
A patient in a hypertensive emergency is admitted to the ICU. The nurse anticipates that the patient will be treated with IV vasodilators, and that the primary goal of treatment is what?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Initially, the treatment goal in hypertensive emergencies is to reduce the mean arterial pressure by 25 % in the first hour of treatment, with further reduction over the next 24 hours. Lowering the BP too fast may cause hypotension in a patient whose body has adjusted to hypertension and could cause a stroke, MI, or visual changes. Neurologic symptoms should be addressed, but this is not the primary focus of treatment planning.