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. Rationale: 1. Modifying favorite recipes helps ensure compliance as the patient is more likely to enjoy the food. 2. Using monounsaturated oils is healthier than saturated fats, supporting cardiovascular health. 3. This intervention promotes gradual and sustainable dietary changes, increasing long-term success. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A. Eliminating all saturated fats and salt may be too restrictive and difficult to maintain. C. Focusing on risks alone may not motivate the patient effectively without practical guidance. D. Providing a list of foods may not address the patient's preferences or help them apply changes to their daily meals effectively.
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 is because colesevelam should be taken with a meal and liquid. By taking it before breakfast, the patient ensures that the medication is ingested with adequate food and fluid to optimize its therapeutic effect. Option A is incorrect as there is no specific requirement to take colesevelam at bedtime. Option C is incorrect as there is no need to separate colesevelam from other medications by 2 hours. Option D is incorrect as there is no indication that colesevelam should be taken with aspirin.
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 are indicative of possible pulmonary edema, a common complication post-STEMI that requires immediate medical attention to prevent respiratory distress. Reporting this symptom promptly can help the provider initiate appropriate interventions. A: Elevated troponin levels are expected post-STEMI and are not typically an acute concern after 2 days. B: Patient denial of heart attack history may indicate a lack of awareness but does not require immediate intervention. D: Occasional premature atrial contractions are common and not typically urgent in the context of a recent STEMI.
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 secreted by the heart in response to increased pressure and volume overload, which are hallmark features of heart failure. Elevated BNP levels indicate heart failure. Serum potassium (A) is not specific to heart failure. Troponin I (C) and cardiac enzymes (D) are markers of cardiac injury, not heart failure. BNP is the most specific and sensitive diagnostic test for 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 because a systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg indicates hypotension, which can be exacerbated by nitroglycerin causing further blood pressure drop. Delaying the dose allows the blood pressure to stabilize. A: Atrial fibrillation is not a contraindication for nitroglycerin use. C: Headache is a common side effect of nitroglycerin but does not require delaying the dose. D: Skin redness at the current site may indicate a local reaction but does not necessarily require delaying the dose.