ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Test Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which of the following would most likely confirm a diagnosis of appendicitis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Appendicitis, an acute bacterial infection, typically causes neutrophilia (increased neutrophils, >70%), reflecting the body’s response to inflammation. Monocytes rise in chronic conditions, erythrocytes are unrelated, and leukopenia (low WBCs) contradicts infection.
Question 2 of 5
The reason for the dicrotic notch on the aortic pressure curve is
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The dicrotic notch is a small dip in the aortic pressure curve caused by the closure of the aortic valve at the end of systole, as blood briefly rebounds against it. Aortic contraction doesn’t occur, ventricular filling is diastolic, and pulmonary valve closure affects pulmonary pressure, not aortic.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is working on a team responding to cardiac arrest in the hospital. Because the client's heart stopped, his body has gone into a state of acidosis. Which of the following medications would most likely correct metabolic acidosis that occurs during cardiac arrest?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sodium bicarbonate (C) corrects metabolic acidosis during cardiac arrest by buffering excess acid (low pH) from anaerobic metabolism. Lidocaine and procainamide (A, B) treat arrhythmias, and dobutamine (D) supports heart failure, not acidosis. (Source: Document, p. 9-10)
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following events is the first to take place in a cardiac cycle?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The cardiac cycle begins with SA node depolarization (A), initiating the impulse that spreads across the atria (P wave, C), reaches the AV node (B), and then ventricles (QRS, D). SA node firing is the first event.
Question 5 of 5
What structures in the heart wall prevent the AV (atrioventricular) valves from opening up into the atria?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Papillary muscles (A) contract to pull chordae tendineae, preventing AV valves from inverting into atria during ventricular systole. Auricles (B) are atrial structures, the septum (C) separates ventricles, and endocardium (D) is a lining.