ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Exam Questions
Question 1 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 2 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.
Question 3 of 5
Which medication is used to lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: ACE inhibitor. ACE inhibitors work by dilating blood vessels to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. They also help protect the heart and improve its function. Beta-blockers (B) lower heart rate, diuretics (C) reduce fluid retention, and calcium channel blockers (D) relax blood vessels, but they do not offer the same comprehensive benefits for high blood pressure and cardiovascular health as ACE inhibitors.
Question 4 of 5
This test measures the amount of blood the heart pumps with each beat, often used to assess heart function.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ejection fraction. Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart's left ventricle with each contraction. It is a key indicator of heart function and can help diagnose heart conditions such as heart failure. Cardiac output (B) is the total amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute, not the amount pumped with each beat. Stroke volume (C) is the amount of blood pumped by the heart in one contraction, not specifically with each beat. End-diastolic volume (D) is the amount of blood in the ventricle before contraction, not the amount pumped with each beat.
Question 5 of 5
Which condition involves the enlargement and weakening of the left ventricle of the heart, leading to reduced pumping ability?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dilated cardiomyopathy. This condition involves the enlargement and weakening of the left ventricle, leading to reduced pumping ability. This results in the heart being unable to pump blood efficiently, causing symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (B) is the thickening of the heart muscle, not enlargement. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (C) involves stiffening of the heart muscle, not weakening. Pericarditis (D) is inflammation of the pericardium, not the heart muscle itself.