ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The client has a heart rate of 40 with electrical activity beginning at the AV node. What type of rhythm is the client having?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Junctional escape rhythm. With a heart rate of 40 and electrical activity starting at the AV node, it indicates a slow heart rate originating from the junctional tissue. This rhythm is considered an escape rhythm when the SA node fails to initiate an impulse. A: Normal sinus rhythm is characterized by a heart rate of 60-100 bpm originating from the SA node. B: Atrial flutter is a rapid regular atrial rhythm with a rate typically between 250-350 bpm. C: Atrial fibrillation is characterized by rapid and irregular atrial activity, not a slow rhythm like in this case.
Question 2 of 5
When titrating IV nitroglycerin for a patient with a myocardial infarction (MI), which action will the nurse take to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ask about chest pain. This is because nitroglycerin is primarily used to relieve chest pain associated with myocardial infarction. By asking the patient about chest pain, the nurse can assess if the medication is effectively relieving the symptoms. Monitoring heart rate (A), checking blood pressure (C), and observing for dysrhythmias (D) are important assessments during nitroglycerin therapy, but they do not directly evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in relieving chest pain, which is the primary goal in this scenario.
Question 3 of 5
A patient with hyperlipidemia has a new order for colesevelam (Welchol). Which nursing action is appropriate when scheduling this medication?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Have the patient take the colesevelam 1 hour before breakfast. This medication should be taken with a meal and plenty of water to prevent gastrointestinal side effects. Taking it before breakfast ensures adequate absorption and efficacy. A: Administering the medication at bedtime may not provide optimal absorption as it should be taken with a meal. C: Giving other medications 2 hours after colesevelam is not necessary, as there are no known interactions requiring such spacing. D: Taking colesevelam with aspirin may reduce the effectiveness of both medications as they may bind to each other.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse obtains the following data when assessing a patient who experienced an ST- segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) 2 days previously. Which information is most important to report to the health care provider?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, bilateral crackles in the mid-lower lobes. This finding indicates potential heart failure, a serious complication post-STEMI. Reporting this promptly to the healthcare provider allows for timely intervention to prevent further deterioration. Choice A, an elevated troponin level, is expected post-STEMI and may not require immediate action. Choice B, the patient denying a heart attack, is not as critical as the physical assessment findings. Choice D, occasional PACs, is common and may not be directly related to the patient's current condition.
Question 5 of 5
A key diagnostic test for heart failure is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: B-type natriuretic peptide. BNP is a hormone released by the heart in response to increased ventricular pressure and volume overload, which are characteristic of heart failure. Elevated levels of BNP indicate heart failure. Serum potassium (A) is not a specific diagnostic test for heart failure. Troponin I (C) and cardiac enzymes (D) are markers of cardiac damage, not heart failure.