ATI RN
Physical Exam Cardiovascular System Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which surgical procedure involves opening or replacing a narrowed or blocked heart valve?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Valve replacement. This surgical procedure involves opening or replacing a narrowed or blocked heart valve. During valve replacement, a damaged valve is removed and replaced with a new one to restore normal blood flow. Angioplasty (B) involves opening blocked arteries, stent placement (C) involves inserting a mesh tube to keep arteries open, and coronary bypass surgery (D) involves rerouting blood flow around blocked coronary arteries. These procedures are not specifically related to treating narrowed or blocked heart valves, making them incorrect choices for this question.
Question 2 of 5
What is a condition where the arteries supplying blood to the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked, causing pain and difficulty walking?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is characterized by narrowed or blocked arteries in the legs and feet, resulting in reduced blood flow, causing pain and difficulty walking. This condition is specifically related to arterial issues, unlike varicose veins (C) which involve veins, atherosclerosis (B) which is a broader term for arterial plaque buildup, and Raynaud's disease (D) which is characterized by episodic vasospasm affecting blood flow to extremities. Therefore, PAD is the most accurate choice given the symptoms described in the question.
Question 3 of 5
What test evaluates the heart's response to physical stress, often involving exercise on a treadmill while monitoring the heart?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Stress test. This test evaluates the heart's response to physical stress by monitoring the heart's activity during exercise on a treadmill. It helps diagnose heart conditions such as coronary artery disease. Echocardiogram (B) is an ultrasound test that examines the heart's structure and function. Holter monitor (C) records the heart's activity over a period to detect irregularities. CT angiography (D) is a type of imaging test to visualize blood vessels. However, none of these options specifically assess the heart's response to physical stress like a stress test does.
Question 4 of 5
What is the condition where the walls of the heart's ventricles become thickened, reducing the heart's ability to pump blood effectively?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ventricular hypertrophy. Ventricular hypertrophy refers to the thickening of the walls of the heart's ventricles, which can reduce the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. This condition is often a response to conditions like high blood pressure or heart valve disease, leading to increased workload on the heart muscle. Atrial fibrillation (B) is an irregular heart rhythm, not directly related to ventricular thickening. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (C) involves stiffening of the heart muscle, affecting the heart's ability to fill properly. Cardiomyopathy (D) is a general term for diseases of the heart muscle, not specifically describing ventricular thickening.
Question 5 of 5
What test measures the electrical activity of the heart to detect arrhythmias and other heart conditions?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart by recording the heart's rhythm and electrical signals. It is used to detect arrhythmias and other heart conditions based on the pattern of the electrical waves. A chest X-ray (B) is used to visualize the heart and lungs, not to measure electrical activity. A stress test (C) assesses the heart's response to physical activity. Arterial blood gas (D) measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, not heart activity. Thus, the ECG is the most appropriate test for detecting arrhythmias and other heart conditions.