ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which chronic respiratory condition is characterized by the narrowing and inflammation of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and narrowing, leading to difficulty breathing. 2. It is a chronic respiratory condition with symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. 3. Asthma exacerbations can be triggered by various factors like allergens or exercise. 4. Treatment includes bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications to manage symptoms. 5. COPD, bronchitis, and pneumonia involve different pathophysiological mechanisms and are not primarily characterized by airway narrowing. Summary: Asthma is the correct answer due to its specific features of airway inflammation and narrowing, distinct from COPD, bronchitis, and pneumonia, which have different underlying causes and symptoms.
Question 2 of 9
The client on a beta blocker has a blood pressure of 88/58 mm Hg. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold the beta blocker and notify the healthcare provider. A blood pressure of 88/58 mm Hg is considered hypotension, which can be a serious side effect of beta blockers. By holding the medication and notifying the healthcare provider, the nurse ensures prompt assessment and appropriate intervention. Administering the beta blocker (B) could further lower the blood pressure. Increasing the dose (C) would exacerbate the hypotension. Continuing to monitor and reassess (D) is not sufficient as immediate action is required due to the low blood pressure reading.
Question 3 of 9
What advice about sexual activity should the nurse give to a male patient who has had an MI?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin prevents angina during activity.
Question 4 of 9
This term refers to a change in the inotropic state of the muscle without a change in myocardial fiber length.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Contractility is the correct answer as it specifically refers to the ability of the heart muscle to contract with a given force without changing its length. This term is used to describe changes in the inotropic state of the muscle, which affects the strength of contraction. Excitability, refractoriness, and automaticity do not directly relate to changes in muscle contraction force without altering fiber length. Excitability is the ability of the muscle to respond to stimuli, refractoriness is the recovery period after a muscle contraction, and automaticity is the ability of certain cells to generate spontaneous electrical activity.
Question 5 of 9
Which of the following conditions is identified by a P wave notch in the ECG of a client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A P wave notch on an ECG suggests mitral stenosis, indicating delayed conduction through the atria.
Question 6 of 9
The client on spironolactone (Aldactone) has a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold the spironolactone and notify the healthcare provider. The priority action is to stop the medication and inform the healthcare provider because a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L is above the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L), indicating hyperkalemia. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can further increase potassium levels. Continuing the medication or administering a potassium supplement would exacerbate the issue. Increasing the dose of spironolactone would be unsafe and could lead to severe complications. Therefore, holding the medication and seeking guidance from the healthcare provider is crucial in managing the client's elevated potassium level.
Question 7 of 9
Your patient tells you that he has chest pains when he performs strenuous work, particularly shoveling his long driveway. He is not concerned about the pain, as it always clears up if he rests for a couple of minutes. The description of his chest pain is typical of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stable angina occurs during physical exertion and resolves with rest or nitroglycerin.
Question 8 of 9
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 9 of 9
Which of the following is the result of central nervous system manifestations?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chorea, a neurological condition, can be associated with rheumatic fever affecting the central nervous system.