ATI RN
Cardiovascular Test Bank Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
In preparation for discharge, the nurse teaches a patient with chronic stable angina how to use the prescribed short-acting and long-acting nitrates. Which patient statement indicates that the teaching has been effective?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient correctly demonstrates understanding of the correct administration of nitroglycerin. Sitting down before taking sublingual nitroglycerin helps maximize absorption and prevent dizziness due to rapid vasodilation. Choice A is incorrect as checking pulse rate is not essential for nitrate administration. Choice B is incorrect as the nitroglycerin patch should not be applied prophylactically but in response to chest pain. Choice D is incorrect as the sublingual nitroglycerin should be taken first in case of angina, and then the patch can be removed after assessing the patient's condition.
Question 2 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 3 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 4 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.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse has admitted a client to the emergency room with complaints of chest pain over the previous 2 hours. There are no clear changes on the 12-lead. The nurse would expect which laboratory test to provide confirmation of a myocardial infarction (MI)?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: CK of 320 with MB of 12%. Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme released when there is damage to muscle tissue, including the heart muscle. The MB fraction of CK is specific to cardiac muscle, so an elevated CK with a high MB fraction indicates myocardial damage, confirming a myocardial infarction (MI). Options A, B, and D do not specifically indicate myocardial damage. Potassium levels are not typically indicative of an MI. CK of 545 with MB of 4% is lower than the correct choice, and WBC count is not a specific indicator of an MI.