ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions Pdf Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client on amiodarone. What adverse effect is the nurse most concerned about?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pulmonary toxicity. Amiodarone is known to cause potentially life-threatening pulmonary toxicity, including interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis. The nurse must closely monitor the client for signs such as cough, dyspnea, and chest pain. Liver toxicity (B), thyroid dysfunction (C), and renal dysfunction (D) are also possible adverse effects of amiodarone, but pulmonary toxicity is the most concerning due to its severe and rapid progression. Monitoring and early detection are crucial to prevent serious complications.
Question 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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.