ATI RN
ATI RN Custom Cardiovascular Med Surg Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A patient with a history of hypertension arrives in the emergency department with a blood pressure (BP) reading of 213/126 mm Hg. The patient has a history of drug abuse. Which of the following initial questions posed by the nurse is MOST appropriate?
Correct Answer: Cocaine or crack use can cause a significant and dangerous increase in blood pressure. Given the patient's history of drug abuse and the current high blood pressure reading, this is a critical question to ask. Tylenol, stress, and salty foods are less likely to cause such an acute spike.
Rationale:
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient with myocarditis before giving a scheduled dose of digoxin (Lanoxin). Which finding is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider?
Correct Answer: An irregular pulse could indicate that myocarditis is affecting the heart's electrical system, leading to an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia. This could potentially affect the action of digoxin, a medication used to treat heart conditions, and therefore should be communicated to the healthcare provider.
Rationale:
Question 3 of 5
After reviewing a patient's history, vital signs, physical assessment, and laboratory data, which information is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider?
Correct Answer: Elevated troponin is a sign of heart damage, which could be caused by a heart attack or other stresses on the heart. This is a critical finding that needs immediate attention. Q waves may indicate a past event, crackles suggest fluid overload, and hyperglycemia is less urgent.
Rationale:
Extract:
Nurses' Notes
0700:
Adolescent alert and oriented, resting in bed in supine position with their legs straight.
Pressure dressing to right femoral area dry and intact.
Bilateral lower extremities warm to touch with equal posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses palpated.
Reports pain as 0 on a scale of 0 to 10. 0730: Adolescent awake, resting in supine position with their legs straight.
Dressing to right femoral area saturated with bloody drainage.
Posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses of right extremity 2+. Right lower extremity cool and pale in color.
Reports pain as 2 on a scale of 0 to 10.
Vital Signs
0700:
• Blood pressure 120/76 mm Hg. Apical pulse rate 90/min.
• Respiratory rate 16/min.
• Temperature 36.6° C (97.9° F). 0730: Blood pressure 100/52 mm Hg. Apical pulse rate 112/min.
• Respiratory rate 18/min.
• Temperature 36.7° C (98.1° F).
Medical History
• Adolescent has no significant past medical history.
• Adolescent was playing basketball last night when they suddenly "passed out" on the court.
• No significant maternal or paternal medical history.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for an adolescent following a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse report to the provider?
Correct Answer: Decreased pulses, saturated dressing, significant drop in blood pressure, and cool/pale extremity indicate potential bleeding or vascular complications post-catheterization, requiring immediate reporting. Pulse, position, pain, and respiratory rate changes are less critical.
Rationale:
Extract:
Question 5 of 5
A patient with a history of hypertension arrives in the emergency department with a blood pressure (BP) reading of 213/126 mm Hg. The patient has a history of drug abuse. Which of the following initial questions posed by the nurse is MOST appropriate?
Correct Answer: Cocaine or crack use can cause a significant and dangerous increase in blood pressure. Given the patient's history of drug abuse and the current high blood pressure reading, this is a critical question to ask. Tylenol, stress, and salty foods are less likely to cause such an acute spike.
Rationale: