ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
When titrating IV nitroglycerin for a patient with a myocardial infarction (MI), which action will the nurse take to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ask about chest pain. This is because nitroglycerin is primarily used to relieve chest pain associated with myocardial infarction. By asking the patient about chest pain, the nurse can assess if the medication is effectively relieving the symptoms. Monitoring heart rate (A), checking blood pressure (C), and observing for dysrhythmias (D) are important assessments during nitroglycerin therapy, but they do not directly evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in relieving chest pain, which is the primary goal in this scenario.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse obtains the following data when assessing a patient who experienced an ST- segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) 2 days previously. Which information is most important to report to the health care provider?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, bilateral crackles in the mid-lower lobes. This finding indicates potential heart failure, a serious complication post-STEMI. Reporting this promptly to the healthcare provider allows for timely intervention to prevent further deterioration. Choice A, an elevated troponin level, is expected post-STEMI and may not require immediate action. Choice B, the patient denying a heart attack, is not as critical as the physical assessment findings. Choice D, occasional PACs, is common and may not be directly related to the patient's current condition.
Question 3 of 5
A key diagnostic test for heart failure is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: B-type natriuretic peptide. BNP is a hormone released by the heart in response to increased ventricular pressure and volume overload, which are characteristic of heart failure. Elevated levels of BNP indicate heart failure. Serum potassium (A) is not a specific diagnostic test for heart failure. Troponin I (C) and cardiac enzymes (D) are markers of cardiac damage, not heart failure.
Question 4 of 5
A client with unstable angina receives routine applications of nitroglycerin ointment. The nurse should delay the next dose if the client has:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: A systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg. Nitroglycerin ointment is a vasodilator that can further decrease blood pressure, potentially causing hypotension if the systolic BP is already below 90 mm Hg. Delaying the next dose allows time for the BP to stabilize. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because atrial fibrillation, headache, and skin redness at the site are not contraindications for administering nitroglycerin ointment.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a child with a cyanotic heart defect. Which signs should the nurse expect to observe?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: In a child with a cyanotic heart defect, the deoxygenated blood mixes with oxygenated blood, resulting in cyanosis (bluish skin). Hypertension can occur due to increased workload on the heart. Clubbing indicates chronic hypoxia. Lethargy is a common symptom of decreased oxygen levels. Summary of Other Choices: B: Hypotension is less likely due to increased workload on the heart. Crouching may be seen in some cases but is not a typical sign. Lethargy is common. C: Irritability is less common compared to lethargy. Clubbing is a common sign. Crouching may be seen but is not specific. D: Confusion and clonus are not typical signs of cyanotic heart defects. Crouching may occur, but it is not specific.