ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client with a history of renal failure and a new myocardial infarction. The nurse who is reviewing laboratory findings would call the doctor to report which of the following results?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Calcium level of 7.0 mg/dL. In a client with renal failure and myocardial infarction, low calcium levels can lead to arrhythmias and worsen heart function. The nurse should call the doctor to report this critical finding. Choice A: Potassium level of 5.0 mEq/L is within the normal range and not immediately concerning in this context. Choice B: Sodium level of 145 mEq/L is also within the normal range and not a priority in this situation. Choice D: Digoxin/digitalis level of 0.8 ng/mL is within the therapeutic range, so it's not an immediate concern unless there are clinical symptoms of toxicity.
Question 2 of 5
A newly admitted patient, diagnosed with a myocardial infarction and left ventricular heart failure might exhibit which of the following physical symptoms? Choose all that apply.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: Jugular vein distention is a common physical symptom in patients with left ventricular heart failure due to increased central venous pressure. This is caused by the heart's inability to effectively pump blood, leading to backflow and congestion in the venous system. Hepatomegaly is less likely to be a direct physical symptom and is more indicative of chronic liver disease. Dyspnea and crackles are also common in heart failure, but they are more related to pulmonary congestion and fluid accumulation in the lungs, rather than a direct physical symptom. Therefore, the correct answer is A.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is describing one of the waveforms to a novice critical care nurse. S/he describes this wave as being upright rounded and symmetrical and occurring after the QRS. The nurse is describing the
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse is describing the T wave. The T wave is upright, rounded, and symmetrical, occurring after the QRS complex on an ECG. The P wave represents atrial depolarization, the QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, and the ST segment represents the period between ventricular depolarization and repolarization. Therefore, the T wave is the only waveform that fits the given description.
Question 4 of 5
Which parameter is elevated in right- sided heart failure?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: CVP. In right-sided heart failure, the right side of the heart is unable to effectively pump blood to the lungs, leading to increased pressure in the venous system. Central venous pressure (CVP) measures the pressure in the vena cava near the right atrium, reflecting the pressure in the right side of the heart. Elevated CVP is a key indicator of right-sided heart failure. Left-ventricular end-diastolic pressure (B) and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) (C) are more indicative of left-sided heart failure, not right-sided. Cardiac output (D) may decrease in heart failure, but it is not specific to right-sided heart failure.
Question 5 of 5
The client has a myocardial infarction and going into shock. What might be a medication to give to counteract shock in cases of myocardial infarction?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dopamine. Dopamine is a vasopressor that helps increase blood pressure and cardiac output, which can counteract shock in cases of myocardial infarction. It improves blood flow to vital organs. Atropine (A) is used for bradycardia, not shock. Digoxin (C) and Adenosine (D) are not indicated for treating shock in myocardial infarction as they have different mechanisms of action.