ATI RN
Physical Exam Cardiovascular System Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which type of medication helps to reduce the workload on the heart by slowing down the heart rate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Beta-blocker. Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart, which helps to reduce the heart rate. This reduction in heart rate helps to decrease the workload on the heart muscle, making it an effective treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure and heart failure. Incorrect choices: B: Calcium channel blocker - Calcium channel blockers work by dilating blood vessels and reducing the heart's workload by relaxing the muscles in the blood vessels, not by slowing down the heart rate. C: Diuretic - Diuretics help the body get rid of excess salt and water, reducing blood volume and lowering blood pressure, but they do not directly affect heart rate. D: ACE inhibitor - ACE inhibitors work by relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow, but they do not specifically target heart rate reduction.
Question 2 of 5
Which medication is used to prevent blood clots by thinning the blood, reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Anticoagulant. Anticoagulants prevent blood clots by thinning the blood, reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack. They work by inhibiting clot formation. ACE inhibitors (B), Beta-blockers (C), and Calcium channel blockers (D) are not used to prevent blood clots. ACE inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, Beta-blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions, and Calcium channel blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions.
Question 3 of 5
What is the condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, and other symptoms?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks an artery, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain. This happens because the clot obstructs blood flow to the lung tissue, causing a decrease in oxygen levels. The other choices, B: Pneumothorax, C: Pleural effusion, and D: Aneurysm, do not involve a blood clot blocking an artery in the lungs. Pneumothorax is a collapsed lung due to air in the chest cavity, Pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the space between the lungs and chest wall, and an Aneurysm is a bulging and weakened blood vessel.
Question 4 of 5
The client is on digoxin and has severe digoxin toxicity. What is the nursing priority action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Give Digibind as an antidote. Digibind is the specific antidote for severe digoxin toxicity. It works by binding to the excess digoxin in the body, preventing it from exerting its toxic effects. This action helps to rapidly reduce the digoxin levels in the body and reverse the toxicity. Checking the potassium level (choice A) is important but not the priority when the client is experiencing severe toxicity. Changing the dosing of digoxin (choice C) or administering a potassium supplement (choice D) would not address the immediate need to counteract the toxicity. The priority is to administer Digibind to quickly neutralize the digoxin and prevent further harm.
Question 5 of 5
The client on nitroglycerin complains of a headache. How does the nurse explain this?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: This is a normal side effect of nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels, including those in the head, leading to headaches. The nurse should explain that this is a common and expected side effect of the medication. B: This is incorrect because a headache from nitroglycerin is not indicative of an allergic reaction. C: This is incorrect as a headache is not typically a sign of overdose with nitroglycerin. D: This is incorrect as a headache from nitroglycerin is not specifically linked to heart failure.