ATI RN
ATI Med Surg Cardiovascular Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
The client has an IV and is experiencing tissue necrosis at the site of the IV. What drug might be causing this?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: An alpha agonist. Alpha agonists can cause vasoconstriction, leading to decreased blood flow and tissue necrosis at the IV site. Digoxin (A) is a cardiac glycoside used for heart conditions, not associated with tissue necrosis. Beta blockers (C) reduce heart rate and blood pressure, not causing tissue necrosis. Calcium channel blockers (D) relax blood vessels and are not typically linked to tissue necrosis.
Question 2 of 5
The client has been prescribed an organic nitrate for angina. What affect does this class of drugs have on the heart?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Decreases preload. Organic nitrates dilate veins, reducing venous return to the heart and therefore decreasing preload. This helps to reduce the workload on the heart and improve oxygen supply to the myocardium. B: Increases afterload - Organic nitrates do not increase afterload. They actually reduce afterload by dilating arteries and reducing vascular resistance. C: Constricts arterioles - Organic nitrates mainly dilate both arteries and veins, causing vasodilation rather than arteriole constriction. D: Increases preload - Organic nitrates do the opposite by reducing preload through venous dilation.
Question 3 of 5
The client is taking IV heparin. The nurse will want to look out for what adverse reaction of the drug?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Thrombocytopenia. IV heparin can cause a decrease in platelet count, leading to thrombocytopenia. This adverse reaction can result in an increased risk of bleeding. The nurse should monitor the client's platelet count regularly. Pulmonary embolism (A) and deep vein thrombosis (B) are conditions that heparin is used to prevent and treat, not adverse reactions of the drug. Neutropenia (D) is a decrease in neutrophils, not typically associated with heparin therapy.
Question 4 of 5
The client is being given Pradaxa (dabigatran). The nurse knows that the mechanism of action of this drug is what?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: It directly inhibits thrombin. Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is a direct thrombin inhibitor, preventing the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, thereby inhibiting the clotting cascade. This mechanism differs from antiplatelet drugs (A) that inhibit platelet aggregation, fibrinolytic medications (C) that dissolve existing clots, and drugs that interfere with clotting factors production (D) which is not the mechanism of action for dabigatran. By directly inhibiting thrombin, dabigatran has a more specific and targeted effect on the clotting process.
Question 5 of 5
The client is on streptokinase for a blood clot. What adverse reaction should the nurse be looking out for?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Antibody production against the streptokinase. Streptokinase is a foreign protein that the body may recognize as an antigen, leading to the production of antibodies. This can result in an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Pulmonary embolism (A) and acute myocardial infarction (B) are potential complications of a blood clot but not directly related to streptokinase use. Acute gastric irritation (D) is not a common adverse reaction to streptokinase.