ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is the condition where the lung collapses due to air leaking into the space between the lung and chest wall?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pneumothorax. This condition occurs when air enters the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse. The air disrupts the pressure balance, leading to lung collapse. Pleural effusion (B) is the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, not air. Pulmonary fibrosis (C) is scarring of lung tissue, unrelated to air leakage. Lung cancer (D) is the abnormal growth of cells in the lung, not directly causing air leakage.
Question 2 of 5
What is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the small airways in the lungs, leading to episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the small airways in the lungs, causing symptoms like wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing. The inflammation in the airways leads to narrowing and constriction, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of asthma. Asthma is typically triggered by various factors such as allergens, pollutants, exercise, or infections. Summary of other choices: B: COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a different condition characterized by irreversible airflow limitation due to chronic bronchitis and emphysema. C: Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often caused by viral infections or smoking, but it does not specifically target the small airways like asthma. D: Lung cancer is a malignancy that arises in the lungs and is not primarily associated with chronic inflammation of the small airways as seen in asthma.
Question 3 of 5
What type of medication is used to reduce inflammation in the airways and prevent asthma attacks?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Corticosteroid. Corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation in the airways, which is a key factor in asthma attacks. They help prevent asthma symptoms by decreasing swelling and mucus production in the airways. Bronchodilators (B) help to relax and widen the airways but do not target inflammation. Antihistamines (C) are used to treat allergies and do not directly address asthma inflammation. Mucolytics (D) help to thin mucus in the airways but do not specifically target airway inflammation in asthma.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following is a chronic lung disease that results in the gradual destruction of the alveoli, causing difficulty breathing and reduced oxygen exchange?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Emphysema. Emphysema is characterized by the gradual destruction of the alveoli in the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing and reduced oxygen exchange. This destruction impairs the lung's ability to expand and contract properly, causing shortness of breath. Bronchitis (B) is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, not alveoli destruction. Pulmonary hypertension (C) is high blood pressure in the lungs, not alveoli destruction. Sarcoidosis (D) is an autoimmune disease causing inflammation in different organs, not specifically targeting the alveoli.
Question 5 of 5
Which test measures the electrical activity of the heart and can detect arrhythmias and other heart conditions?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart, detecting arrhythmias and other heart conditions by recording the heart's electrical impulses. This test is non-invasive and provides valuable information about the heart's function. Chest X-ray (B) primarily shows the heart's size and shape, not electrical activity. MRI (C) and CT scan (D) are imaging tests that provide detailed anatomical images but do not directly measure heart electrical activity.