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: “I will stop what I am doing and sit down before I put the nitroglycerin under my tongue.” This response indicates understanding of the importance of resting before taking nitroglycerin to avoid potential side effects like dizziness or fainting. Choice A is incorrect as pulse rate monitoring is not necessary before taking nitrates. Choice B is incorrect as putting on a patch at the onset of chest pain is not recommended. Choice D is incorrect as the patch should not be removed before taking sublingual nitroglycerin.
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 whose chest pain has recently increased in frequency requires immediate action as it could indicate a worsening condition or impending cardiac event. Stable angina worsening suggests unstable angina or even a heart attack. Regular angina may progress rapidly to an acute coronary syndrome. The other choices are not as urgent: A's blood glucose is slightly elevated but not critical for immediate intervention; C's high cholesterol, while concerning, does not require immediate action; and D's elevated blood pressure, although high, does not indicate immediate danger unless accompanied by symptoms.
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. Acute pulmonary edema results from fluid accumulation in the lungs, leading to interstitial edema visible on chest X-ray. B is incorrect because pulmonary edema typically causes respiratory acidosis, not metabolic alkalosis. C is incorrect as bradycardia is not a typical finding in acute pulmonary edema; tachycardia is more common. D is incorrect because pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is usually elevated in acute pulmonary edema due to increased left ventricular filling pressure.
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. In a dissecting aortic aneurysm, the inner layer of the aorta tears, leading to blood leaking into the middle layer. This can result in decreased cardiac output, leading to cardiogenic shock. Septic shock (A) is caused by severe infection, anaphylactic shock (B) is an extreme allergic reaction, and hypovolemic shock (D) is due to severe blood loss. In this scenario, the primary concern is the compromised cardiac function due to the dissecting aortic aneurysm, placing the client at greatest risk for cardiogenic shock.
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%. Creatinine kinase (CK) is an enzyme released into the bloodstream when muscle cells, including heart muscle cells, are damaged. The MB fraction specifically indicates cardiac muscle damage. A CK level of 320 with an MB percentage of 12% is indicative of myocardial infarction (MI). This combination of values provides confirmation of cardiac muscle damage and points towards an MI diagnosis. Choice A: Potassium level is not specific to MI diagnosis. Choice B: CK level of 545 with MB of 4% is lower than the correct answer, which indicates less cardiac muscle damage. Choice D: WBC count is not specific to MI and indicates inflammation or infection rather than cardiac muscle damage.