ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is a type of pneumonia that is contracted by inhaling contaminated water droplets?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Legionnaires' disease. Legionnaires' disease is caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. These bacteria thrive in warm water, such as in air conditioning systems and hot tubs. The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include high fever, cough, and shortness of breath. B: Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. C: Asbestosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, not contaminated water droplets. D: Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by inhaling spores found in soil with bird or bat droppings, not contaminated water droplets.
Question 2 of 5
What is a condition where the alveoli are gradually destroyed, leading to shortness of breath and reduced oxygen exchange?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Emphysema is the correct answer. Alveoli destruction in emphysema leads to shortness of breath and reduced oxygen exchange. This condition is primarily caused by smoking and results in irreversible damage to the air sacs in the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis involves scarring of lung tissue, not alveoli destruction. Pulmonary edema is fluid accumulation in the lungs, disrupting oxygen exchange. Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lung, which may not directly lead to alveoli destruction.
Question 3 of 5
What is the condition where the body's immune system attacks its tissues, causing inflammation and damage?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Autoimmune disease. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissues, leading to inflammation and damage. This occurs due to a breakdown in immune tolerance, resulting in the immune system targeting self-antigens. This leads to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. In contrast, infectious diseases are caused by pathogens, allergic reactions are responses to harmless substances, and degenerative diseases involve the gradual deterioration of tissues over time. Therefore, autoimmune disease best fits the description provided in the question.
Question 4 of 5
Which type of medication helps to lower cholesterol levels in the blood?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Statins are the correct answer as they specifically target and lower cholesterol levels in the blood by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in the liver responsible for producing cholesterol. Statins are proven to reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of cardiovascular events. Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics do not directly affect cholesterol levels; beta-blockers are used for managing blood pressure and heart rate, ACE inhibitors for blood pressure and heart function, and diuretics for reducing fluid buildup in the body. Therefore, statins are the most appropriate medication for lowering cholesterol levels.
Question 5 of 5
Which term refers to a condition where the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked, often referred to as a heart attack?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction refers to the condition where the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked, leading to tissue damage or cell death. This is commonly known as a heart attack. It is crucial to understand that arrhythmia (B), stroke (C), and aneurysm (D) are different medical conditions that do not specifically involve the blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle. Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat, stroke is the interruption of blood supply to the brain, and an aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel. Therefore, the correct term for a condition involving a blocked blood supply to the heart muscle is myocardial infarction.