ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which nursing intervention is likely to be most effective when assisting the patient with coronary artery disease to make appropriate dietary changes?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Help the patient modify favorite high-fat recipes by using monounsaturated oils. This answer is correct because it focuses on practical and sustainable dietary changes by modifying existing favorite recipes to make them healthier. By using monounsaturated oils instead of saturated fats, the patient can still enjoy their favorite foods while making positive changes to their diet. Option A is too restrictive in eliminating all saturated fats and may not be sustainable for the patient in the long term. Option C focuses on fear-based motivation, which is not always effective in promoting behavior change. Option D gives a list of foods without addressing how the patient can make practical changes in their meal preparation. Overall, option B is the most effective as it encourages gradual and realistic changes in the patient's diet.
Question 2 of 5
A patient with hyperlipidemia has a new order for colesevelam (Welchol). Which nursing action is appropriate when scheduling this medication?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Have the patient take the colesevelam 1 hour before breakfast. This medication should be taken with a meal and plenty of water to prevent gastrointestinal side effects. Taking it before breakfast ensures adequate absorption and efficacy. A: Administering the medication at bedtime may not provide optimal absorption as it should be taken with a meal. C: Giving other medications 2 hours after colesevelam is not necessary, as there are no known interactions requiring such spacing. D: Taking colesevelam with aspirin may reduce the effectiveness of both medications as they may bind to each other.
Question 3 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 4 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 5 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.