ATI RN
Cardiovascular Test Bank Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which patient at the cardiovascular clinic requires the most immediate action by the nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The patient with stable angina experiencing an increase in chest pain frequency needs immediate action to assess for potential cardiac complications. Stable angina worsening could indicate unstable angina or even impending myocardial infarction. A: The patient with type 2 diabetes and blood glucose level of 145 mg/dL is within normal range and does not require immediate action. C: The patient with familial hypercholesterolemia and high cholesterol level requires long-term management but not immediate action unless experiencing acute symptoms. D: The patient with chronic hypertension and elevated blood pressure needs monitoring and possibly adjustment of medications, but it is not as urgent as the worsening chest pain in the patient with stable angina.
Question 2 of 5
A client comes to the emergency department with a dissecting aortic aneurysm. The client is at greatest risk for:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: cardiogenic shock. Dissecting aortic aneurysm can lead to decreased cardiac output due to the disruption of normal blood flow in the aorta. This can result in heart failure and subsequent cardiogenic shock. Septic shock (choice A) is caused by severe infection, anaphylactic shock (choice B) is triggered by severe allergic reactions, and hypovolemic shock (choice D) is due to a significant loss of blood or fluids. However, in the case of a dissecting aortic aneurysm, the primary concern is the impact on cardiac function, making cardiogenic shock the greatest risk for the client.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse has admitted a client to the emergency room with complaints of chest pain over the previous 2 hours. There are no clear changes on the 12-lead. The nurse would expect which laboratory test to provide confirmation of a myocardial infarction (MI)?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: CK of 320 with MB of 12%. Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme released when there is damage to muscle tissue, including the heart muscle. The MB fraction of CK is specific to cardiac muscle, so an elevated CK with a high MB fraction indicates myocardial damage, confirming a myocardial infarction (MI). Options A, B, and D do not specifically indicate myocardial damage. Potassium levels are not typically indicative of an MI. CK of 545 with MB of 4% is lower than the correct choice, and WBC count is not a specific indicator of an MI.
Question 4 of 5
A client's angiogram demonstrates the final stage of atherosclerosis. The nurse concludes that this client's pathophysiology includes which of the following elements?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The presence of atheromas. Atheromas are the characteristic plaques formed in the arteries during the final stage of atherosclerosis. These plaques consist of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances. Choice B is not specific to the final stage of atherosclerosis but rather a general characteristic of the condition. Choice C, lipoprotein accumulation in the intima, is a contributing factor to atherosclerosis but not specific to the final stage. Choice D, inflammation of the arterial wall, is a feature seen throughout the progression of atherosclerosis, not just in the final stage. Thus, the presence of atheromas best represents the final stage of atherosclerosis.
Question 5 of 5
A 6-year-old child has been diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta. Lately, he has been complaining when he comes in from recess. The health nurse should question the child about which of the following?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Weakness and pain in legs. Coarctation of the aorta can lead to decreased blood flow to the lower extremities, causing symptoms like leg pain and weakness. The health nurse should question the child about this as it could be indicative of reduced blood flow from the aorta. Blurred vision (B) is not typically associated with coarctation of the aorta. Increased respiratory rate (C) is more commonly seen in conditions affecting the lungs or airways, not specifically related to coarctation of the aorta. Bruises on shins (D) are not directly related to the symptoms of coarctation of the aorta and do not provide relevant information in this context.