ATI RN
Cardiovascular Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
The client is on a statin medication. The nurse tells the client that the purpose of taking a statin drug is what?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: To reduce total and LDL cholesterol. Statin medications work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for producing cholesterol, thereby lowering total and LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. This helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Choice A is incorrect as statins do not directly thin the blood. Choice C is incorrect as statins do not break up existing plaques in the arteries. Choice D is incorrect as statins do not destabilize cholesterol plaques.
Question 2 of 5
The client has a heart rate of 70 and a P wave that comes early and is malformed. What is the likely cause of this?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Premature atrial contractions. This is because the client's heart rate is normal (70 bpm) and the P wave is early and malformed, which are classic signs of premature atrial contractions. These occur when the electrical impulse in the atria depolarizes prematurely, causing an early P wave on the ECG. Other choices are incorrect because: A: Normal sinus rhythm would not have an early and malformed P wave. C: Frequent PVCs present with a wide QRS complex, not a malformed P wave. D: Ventricular escape rhythm would have a slow heart rate and not an early P wave.
Question 3 of 5
The client is being fitted for a Holter Monitor. What does the nurse tell the client in preparation for the test?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the client should record the time of any palpable events, such as palpitations, during the Holter Monitor test to provide valuable information to healthcare providers. This step is crucial for correlating symptoms with the recorded heart activity. Choice A is incorrect because clients are encouraged to continue their normal activities during the test. Choice B is incorrect as clients can bathe while wearing the monitor. Choice C is incorrect as the Holter Monitor test typically lasts for 24-48 hours, not just 30 minutes.
Question 4 of 5
Diltiazem (Cardizem) is ordered for a patient with newly diagnosed Prinzmetal’s (variant) angina. When teaching the patient, the nurse will include the information that diltiazem will
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: Prinzmetal's angina is caused by coronary artery spasms. Step 2: Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that helps relax coronary arteries. Step 3: Relaxing coronary arteries helps decrease spasms. Step 4: Therefore, the correct answer is C: decrease coronary artery spasms. Summary: A is incorrect because diltiazem does not directly affect heart palpitations. B is incorrect because it does not target plaque. D is incorrect because diltiazem does not increase contractile force.
Question 5 of 5
When caring for a patient who is recovering from a sudden cardiac death (SCD) event and has no evidence of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the nurse will anticipate teaching the patient that
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step 1: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) indicates a serious underlying heart condition. Step 2: Absence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) suggests other causes need investigation. Step 3: Additional diagnostic testing can identify underlying causes to prevent future events. Step 4: Teaching the patient about the need for further testing is crucial for proper management. Summary: Option B is correct as it aligns with the need for comprehensive evaluation post-SCD. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not address the necessity of additional testing for proper management.