ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Questions and Answers Questions
Question 1 of 5
Upon finding a client in cardiac arrest, the nurse should administer which of the following drugs first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Epinephrine (B) is the first drug in ACLS for cardiac arrest to stimulate cardiac activity. Atropine (A) treats bradycardia, lidocaine (C) arrhythmias, atenolol (D) hypertension.
Question 2 of 5
Blood supply to the liver, spleen, and stomach is carried in:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The coeliac artery supplies oxygenated blood to the liver, spleen, and stomach via its branches (e.g., hepatic, splenic, and gastric arteries). The mesenteric arteries supply the intestines, and the external iliac serves the lower limbs.
Question 3 of 5
The Nurse understands that a pulmonary embolism is a most unlikely complication in the postoperative period following?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a risk after surgeries with prolonged immobility or venous manipulation (e.g., prostatectomy, hysterectomy, vein ligation), but appendectomy typically involves less risk due to shorter duration and minimal venous disruption.
Question 4 of 5
Which clinical feature found on assessment should indicate to a nurse that a client has congestive heart failure?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Congestive heart failure (CHF) causes fluid backup, leading to liver tenderness (hepatomegaly from right heart failure) and peripheral edema (fluid retention). Pulmonary crackles indicate left heart failure, but liver tenderness is more specific to right-sided CHF.
Question 5 of 5
A patient comes to the emergency department (ED) and reports a swollen and painful leg but denies sustaining any injury. The physical examination reveals a tense calf muscle, decreased sensation to the foot and leg, and absent pedal pulses. The cardiac-vascular nurse asks the patient when the symptoms began because:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acute limb ischemia (e.g., from thrombosis or embolism) can cause irreversible muscle/nerve damage within 4-6 hours due to anoxia, making symptom onset timing critical for intervention. A is incorrect (both are sudden), B is delayed, and D is unrelated.