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 nurse is caring for a client on digoxin with a heart rate of 48 bpm. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider. A heart rate of 48 bpm is below the normal range, indicating bradycardia, a potential side effect of digoxin toxicity. Holding the medication and informing the healthcare provider is crucial to prevent further harm. Administering the digoxin (B) can worsen the bradycardia. Atropine (C) is not the first-line treatment for digoxin-induced bradycardia. Increasing the dose of digoxin (D) can exacerbate toxicity. Overall, prompt action to address the underlying cause is essential in this situation.
Question 3 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 4 of 9
In cases of myocardial infarction leading to shock, which medication is appropriate to counteract shock?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dopamine. In myocardial infarction leading to shock, dopamine is appropriate due to its positive inotropic effects, increasing cardiac output and blood pressure. Atropine is not indicated for shock in this context. Digoxin may be contraindicated in acute myocardial infarction. Adenosine is not used in managing shock.
Question 5 of 9
What is a condition where the heart beats too slowly, reducing the amount of blood pumped to the body?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Certainly! Bradycardia is the correct answer because it refers to a slow heart rate, leading to reduced blood flow to the body. This condition can result in symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and fainting. Tachycardia, on the other hand, is the opposite - a fast heart rate that can also impact blood flow. Atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation are irregular heart rhythms rather than slow heart rates, causing rapid and chaotic heartbeats that can be life-threatening. Therefore, the correct answer is A, bradycardia, as it specifically addresses the scenario of the heart beating too slowly.
Question 6 of 9
During the assessment, the nurse identifies crackles in the lungs and an S3 heart sound. Which complication of MI should the nurse suspect and further investigate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Crackles and S3 indicate heart failure.
Question 7 of 9
The client on furosemide (Lasix) is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, Hypokalemia. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion in the urine, leading to low potassium levels in the body. Hypokalemia can result in muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and other serious complications. Hyperkalemia (choice A) is the opposite condition of high potassium levels and is not typically associated with furosemide use. Hyponatremia (choice C) is a low sodium level, which may be a potential side effect of furosemide but is not the primary electrolyte imbalance to be concerned about. Hypernatremia (choice D) is high sodium levels and is not directly related to furosemide use.
Question 8 of 9
Which fibers distribute the electrical impulse to the ventricles, causing them to contract?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Purkinje fibers. Purkinje fibers are specialized cardiac muscle fibers that distribute the electrical impulse from the AV node to the ventricles, causing them to contract. They are located in the ventricles and ensure synchronized and efficient contraction. The SA node (B) is the pacemaker of the heart, initiating the electrical impulse. The AV node (C) delays the impulse to allow for atrial contraction before ventricular contraction. The Bundle of His (D) is a pathway for the electrical impulse from the AV node to the bundle branches, which then lead to the Purkinje fibers for ventricular contraction.
Question 9 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.