HESI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is a condition where the heart's electrical system malfunctions, leading to an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Arrhythmia. Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat caused by malfunctioning of the heart's electrical system. Bradycardia (B) is a slow heart rate, Tachycardia (C) is a fast heart rate, and Ventricular fibrillation (D) is a life-threatening arrhythmia characterized by rapid, irregular heartbeats. Arrhythmia encompasses various types of irregular heart rhythms, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.
Question 2 of 5
What test uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the heart, allowing doctors to assess its structure and function?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Echocardiogram. An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the heart's structure and function in real-time. It is a non-invasive and safe diagnostic tool commonly used to assess heart health. MRI (B) uses magnetic fields and radio waves, CT scan (C) uses X-rays, and X-ray (D) uses electromagnetic radiation, but they do not provide the same level of detail and real-time assessment of the heart as an echocardiogram does.
Question 3 of 5
What condition involves the heart's electrical system malfunctioning, causing very fast heartbeats originating from the ventricles?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ventricular tachycardia. Ventricular tachycardia is characterized by rapid heartbeats originating from the ventricles, resulting in an abnormal heart rhythm. This condition can be life-threatening if not promptly treated. Atrial fibrillation involves rapid, irregular heartbeats originating from the atria, not the ventricles (B). Supraventricular tachycardia also originates above the ventricles and is not specific to ventricular malfunction (C). Bradycardia, on the other hand, is a condition characterized by an abnormally slow heart rate, which is the opposite of the fast heartbeats seen in ventricular tachycardia (D).
Question 4 of 5
What is a surgical procedure to redirect blood flow around a blocked or narrowed artery, often involving the use of a graft from another part of the body?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). This procedure is used to redirect blood flow around a blocked or narrowed artery by creating a bypass using a graft from another part of the body. Step 1: The blocked or narrowed artery is identified through diagnostic tests. Step 2: A graft, often taken from the chest, leg, or arm, is used to create a new pathway for blood to flow around the blockage. Step 3: This helps improve blood flow to the heart muscle, relieving symptoms such as chest pain and reducing the risk of a heart attack. Summary: B (Valve replacement) involves replacing a damaged heart valve, C (Aneurysm repair) deals with treating a weakened area in a blood vessel, and D (Atherectomy) is a procedure to remove plaque from arteries, none of which match the description provided.
Question 5 of 5
What is a condition where the heart beats too slowly, reducing the amount of blood pumped to the body?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Certainly! Bradycardia is the correct answer because it refers to a slow heart rate, leading to reduced blood flow to the body. This condition can result in symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and fainting. Tachycardia, on the other hand, is the opposite - a fast heart rate that can also impact blood flow. Atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation are irregular heart rhythms rather than slow heart rates, causing rapid and chaotic heartbeats that can be life-threatening. Therefore, the correct answer is A, bradycardia, as it specifically addresses the scenario of the heart beating too slowly.