ATI RN
Cardiovascular Physiology Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The client has atrial fibrillation. What can the nurse say about the P wave?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because in atrial fibrillation, the chaotic and irregular electrical activity in the atria results in the absence of distinct P waves on the ECG. This is due to the disorganized depolarization of the atria, leading to the absence of a clear, identifiable P wave. Therefore, the nurse can accurately state that the P wave is absent in the ECG of a client with atrial fibrillation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect: A: It precedes a long PR interval - This statement is not accurate for atrial fibrillation as the irregular electrical activity disrupts the normal conduction pathway, leading to variable PR intervals. B: It falls on the previous T wave - This scenario would indicate an abnormality in the ECG, but it does not specifically relate to atrial fibrillation. D: It is peaked - While peaked P waves can indicate certain conditions like right atrial enlargement, this is not a characteristic finding in atr
Question 2 of 5
Nadolol (Corgard) is prescribed for a patient with chronic stable angina and left ventricular dysfunction. To determine whether the drug is effective, the nurse will monitor for
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: participation in daily activities without chest pain. This is because the effectiveness of Nadolol in treating chronic stable angina and left ventricular dysfunction is indicated by the patient's ability to engage in daily activities without experiencing chest pain, which reflects improved myocardial oxygen supply. A: decreased blood pressure and heart rate is incorrect because Nadolol is a beta-blocker, which can lower blood pressure and heart rate as a side effect, but the primary goal is to reduce angina symptoms. B: fewer complaints of having cold hands and feet is incorrect as it is not a direct indicator of Nadolol's effectiveness in treating angina and left ventricular dysfunction. C: improvement in the strength of the distal pulses is incorrect as it may not directly correlate with the drug's effectiveness in managing angina and left ventricular dysfunction.
Question 3 of 5
When evaluating the effectiveness of preoperative teaching with a patient scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using the internal mammary artery, the nurse determines that additional teaching is needed when the patient says which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. This statement indicates a misunderstanding about the procedure for CABG surgery using the internal mammary artery. The internal mammary artery is typically used for the bypass graft, not a vein from the leg. The other choices (A, C, D) are all accurate statements related to CABG surgery. Choice A correctly describes the use of a heart-lung machine during surgery. Choice C accurately explains the purpose of using an artery near the heart for the bypass. Choice D is true as aspirin is often prescribed post-surgery to prevent graft occlusion. Therefore, B is the incorrect choice as it does not align with the procedure being discussed.
Question 4 of 5
When admitting a patient with a non–ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) to the intensive care unit, which action should the nurse perform first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Attach the heart monitor. This should be done first to continuously monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm and detect any potential arrhythmias or changes in heart rate. This is crucial in managing NSTEMI patients. Obtaining blood pressure, assessing peripheral pulses, and auscultating breath sounds are important assessments, but monitoring the heart rhythm takes precedence in NSTEMI to identify any cardiac complications promptly.
Question 5 of 5
A client's cardiac monitor alarm sounds, indicating ventricular tachycardia. The nurse should:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Certainly! The correct answer is B: Assess the client. Ventricular tachycardia may or may not require immediate intervention like defibrillation. Assessing the client's condition first allows the nurse to gather vital information such as the client's level of consciousness, vital signs, and overall stability. This assessment will guide the nurse in determining the appropriate next steps, which may include interventions like defibrillation, calling the physician, or administering treatment. Performing immediate defibrillation (choice A) without assessing the client's condition can be harmful if the client does not actually require it. Calling the physician (choice C) can be done after assessing the client to provide a comprehensive report. Administering a precordial thump (choice D) is not recommended in current guidelines and should not be the initial response to ventricular tachycardia.