ATI LPN
Cardiovascular Disease Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The therapy that most directly improves cardiac contractility in a patient with systolic heart failure is
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Digitalis may be used for symptom management of heart failure. Cardiac glycosides directly inhibit the sodium-potassium pump present in the cell membrane of all cells. The intracellular changes allow more calcium to remain in the cell, thus strengthening myocardial contraction. Contractility is not improved through afterload reduction. Beta-blockers inhibit the effects of sympathetic activation and have the potential to reduce cardiac output. Preload reduction is not the therapy of choice in improving cardiac contractility.
Question 2 of 5
During your morning assessment of a patient with heart failure, the patient complains of sudden vision changes that include seeing yellowish-green halos around the lights. Which of the following medications do you suspect is causing this issue?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Yellow-green halos are a classic sign of Digoxin toxicity (D).
Question 3 of 5
Which action should the nurse take first to assist a patient with newly diagnosed stage 1 hypertension in making needed dietary changes?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The initial nursing action should be assessment of the patient's baseline dietary intake through a thorough diet history. The other actions may be appropriate, but assessment of the patient's baseline should occur first.
Question 4 of 5
Which action will be included in the plan of care when the nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving nicardipine(Cardene) to treat a hypertensive emergency?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Frequent monitoring of BP is needed when the patient is receiving rapid-acting IV antihypertensive medications. This can be most easily accomplished with an automated BP machine or arterial line. The patient will require frequent assessments, so allowing 6 to 8 hours of undisturbed sleep is not appropriate. When patients are receiving IV vasodilators, bed rest is maintained to prevent decreased cerebral perfusion and fainting. There is no indication that this patient is nauseated or at risk for aspiration, so an NPO status is unnecessary.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is providing care for a patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension. How can the nurse best promote the patient's adherence to the prescribed therapeutic regimen?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adherence to the therapeutic regimen increases when patients actively participate in self-care, including self-monitoring of BP and diet. Dire warnings may motivate some patients, but for many patients this is not an appropriate or effective strategy. Screening for vision changes and promoting healthy lifestyle are appropriate nursing actions, but do not necessarily promote adherence to a therapeutic regimen.