ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions Pdf Questions
Question 1 of 5
The client is on enalapril (Vasotec) for hypertension. What side effect is most commonly associated with this medication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dry cough. Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor, which commonly causes a dry cough due to increased bradykinin levels. This side effect is well-documented in literature and can lead to medication non-adherence. Other choices (B) Hypotension, (C) Hyperkalemia, and (D) Headache are potential side effects of enalapril but are not as commonly associated as dry cough. Hypotension and hyperkalemia are more serious adverse effects that require monitoring, while headache is a less common side effect compared to dry cough.
Question 2 of 5
The client on enoxaparin (Lovenox) is scheduled for surgery. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold the enoxaparin and notify the healthcare provider. Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding during surgery. Holding it reduces this risk. Notifying the healthcare provider is crucial for further guidance. Administering enoxaparin (B) can lead to excessive bleeding. Administering vitamin K (C) is not indicated for enoxaparin therapy. Monitoring INR (D) is not appropriate for enoxaparin, which does not affect INR levels.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client on digoxin. What is the most important assessment before administering this medication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Check the client's heart rate. Before administering digoxin, it is crucial to assess the client's heart rate as digoxin can cause bradycardia or arrhythmias. Monitoring the heart rate helps to determine if the client is at risk of experiencing these adverse effects. Checking blood pressure, respiratory rate, or oxygen saturation is important but not as crucial as assessing the heart rate when administering digoxin. Bradycardia is a common adverse effect of digoxin, so assessing the heart rate is the priority.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is administering nitroglycerin IV to a client with chest pain. What is the most important parameter to monitor?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood pressure. When administering nitroglycerin IV for chest pain, monitoring blood pressure is crucial as it can drop significantly, leading to hypotension. This can cause further complications. Heart rate may increase initially due to vasodilation, but it's not the most important parameter. Oxygen saturation and respiratory rate are also important but monitoring blood pressure takes precedence in this situation.
Question 5 of 5
A client on a beta blocker has a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold the beta blocker and notify the healthcare provider. A blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg is considered low and may be a sign of hypotension, which can be a serious side effect of beta blockers. Holding the medication and notifying the healthcare provider is the priority action to prevent further complications. Administering the beta blocker (choice B) can worsen the hypotension. Administering a diuretic (choice C) may further lower the blood pressure. Continuing to monitor and reassess (choice D) is not appropriate in this situation as immediate action is needed due to the low blood pressure reading.