ATI RN
Cardiovascular Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is teaching the client about taking an ACE inhibitor. A typical side effect of an ACE inhibitor explained to the client is what?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cough. ACE inhibitors can cause a dry, persistent cough due to increased levels of bradykinin. This effect is common and important for clients to be aware of. Bradycardia (B) is not a typical side effect of ACE inhibitors. Hypokalemia (C) can occur but is not a direct side effect. Weight gain (D) is not associated with ACE inhibitors. Therefore, A is the correct choice.
Question 2 of 5
The client is experiencing a drug-drug reaction by taking aspirin with what other drug?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Heparin. Aspirin and Heparin can interact leading to increased risk of bleeding due to both drugs affecting blood clotting mechanisms. Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation while Heparin inhibits clotting factors. Choices A, B, and D do not have a significant drug-drug interaction with aspirin in terms of increased bleeding risk.
Question 3 of 5
The client is on a statin medication. The nurse tells the client that the purpose of taking a statin drug is what?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: To reduce total and LDL cholesterol. Statin medications work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for producing cholesterol, thereby lowering total and LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. This helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Choice A is incorrect as statins do not directly thin the blood. Choice C is incorrect as statins do not break up existing plaques in the arteries. Choice D is incorrect as statins do not destabilize cholesterol plaques.
Question 4 of 5
The client has a resting heart rate of 80 and a regular rhythm. What is the likely source of electrical activity in this client?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The sino-atrial node. The SA node is the primary pacemaker of the heart, responsible for initiating the electrical impulses that regulate the heart rate. It is located in the right atrium and typically generates a resting heart rate of around 60-100 beats per minute. In this scenario, with a resting heart rate of 80 and a regular rhythm, the SA node is most likely the source of electrical activity. The other choices (B: AV node, C: Purkinje fibers, D: Bundle of His) are involved in the conduction of electrical impulses within the heart but are not responsible for the initiation of the heartbeat at rest.
Question 5 of 5
The client has a heart rate of 70 and a P wave that comes early and is malformed. What is the likely cause of this?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Premature atrial contractions. This is because the client's heart rate is normal (70 bpm) and the P wave is early and malformed, which are classic signs of premature atrial contractions. These occur when the electrical impulse in the atria depolarizes prematurely, causing an early P wave on the ECG. Other choices are incorrect because: A: Normal sinus rhythm would not have an early and malformed P wave. C: Frequent PVCs present with a wide QRS complex, not a malformed P wave. D: Ventricular escape rhythm would have a slow heart rate and not an early P wave.