ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions Pdf Questions
Question 1 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 2 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 3 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.
Question 4 of 5
When administering an ACE inhibitor to a client with heart failure, what is the expected outcome of this medication?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Increased cardiac output. ACE inhibitors work by dilating blood vessels and reducing the workload on the heart. This leads to improved cardiac output, as the heart can pump more efficiently. Decreased blood pressure (choice A) is a common side effect due to vasodilation. Increased heart rate (choice B) and decreased heart rate (choice D) are not expected outcomes of ACE inhibitor use. Therefore, the most appropriate and expected outcome of administering an ACE inhibitor in heart failure is an increase in cardiac output, making choice C the correct answer.
Question 5 of 5
The client is on furosemide (Lasix) and has a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: 1. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss. 2. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can lead to serious complications. 3. Priority is to address low potassium levels to prevent adverse effects like cardiac arrhythmias. 4. Administering potassium supplements helps to normalize potassium levels promptly. Summary: B: Holding furosemide without addressing low potassium can worsen the imbalance. C: Continuing the current dose without addressing low potassium can lead to further depletion. D: Decreasing furosemide dose before addressing low potassium can delay correcting the imbalance.