ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client on warfarin with an INR of 1.8. What is the most appropriate action?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Monitor the client's INR closely. An INR of 1.8 indicates the client is below the therapeutic range for warfarin. By closely monitoring the client's INR, the nurse can assess the effectiveness of the current dosage and make informed decisions about potential adjustments. Increasing the dose of warfarin (Choice A) without monitoring could lead to over-anticoagulation. Administering vitamin K (Choice B) is not indicated unless the client is experiencing severe bleeding. Holding the warfarin and notifying the healthcare provider (Choice C) may be necessary in some cases, but monitoring is the initial appropriate action to evaluate the situation before making changes.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is giving nitroglycerin sublingually for chest pain. What is the most important instruction to give to the client?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve completely. Nitroglycerin is absorbed quickly through the oral mucosa, providing rapid relief for chest pain. Placing it under the tongue allows for direct absorption into the bloodstream. Swallowing the tablet whole (B) would delay absorption. Chewing the tablet (C) would cause rapid absorption and possibly lead to a drop in blood pressure. Taking one tablet every 5 minutes (D) is not recommended as it can lead to hypotension. Therefore, option A is the most appropriate instruction for the client.
Question 3 of 5
The client is receiving digoxin and complains of nausea. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Check the client's digoxin level. The priority action is to assess the digoxin level to determine if it is within the therapeutic range, as nausea can be a sign of digoxin toxicity. Checking the level will guide further actions. Continuing the dose without assessment (B) may worsen toxicity. Administering an antiemetic (C) only addresses the symptom, not the underlying cause. Discontinuing digoxin immediately (D) without assessing the level can be harmful if the client actually needs the medication.
Question 4 of 5
The client on digoxin has a potassium level of 2.7 mEq/L. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider. A potassium level of 2.7 mEq/L is below the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L), which can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Holding the digoxin and informing the healthcare provider is crucial to prevent potential harm. Administering the digoxin (choice B) can exacerbate toxicity symptoms. Increasing the dose of digoxin (choice C) is contraindicated due to the low potassium level. Administering potassium supplements (choice D) may be necessary, but the priority is to address the digoxin therapy first.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is giving digoxin to a client. What is the most important parameter to check before administration?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Digoxin is primarily used to treat heart conditions. Step 2: Heart rate is crucial as digoxin can affect the heart rhythm. Step 3: Monitoring heart rate ensures safety and effectiveness of digoxin. Step 4: Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are important but not as directly impacted by digoxin.