ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Exam
1. Which condition involves the enlargement and weakening of the left ventricle of the heart, leading to reduced pumping ability?
- A. Dilated cardiomyopathy
- B. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- C. Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- D. Pericarditis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dilated cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by the enlargement and weakening of the left ventricle of the heart, which results in a reduced ability to pump blood effectively. Choice B, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, involves thickening of the heart muscle, not enlargement. Choice C, Restrictive cardiomyopathy, is characterized by stiffening of the heart muscle, not enlargement. Choice D, Pericarditis, refers to inflammation of the pericardium, the lining surrounding the heart, and does not involve enlargement and weakening of the left ventricle.
2. Which of the following is a rare but serious condition where the pulmonary arteries become narrowed, increasing the blood pressure in the lungs?
- A. Pulmonary hypertension
- B. Pulmonary embolism
- C. Pulmonary fibrosis
- D. Aortic stenosis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is a rare but serious condition characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, which can lead to heart failure. Pulmonary embolism (choice B) involves a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis (choice C) is a lung disease that causes lung tissue scarring. Aortic stenosis (choice D) is a condition where the aortic valve narrows, affecting blood flow from the heart.
3. The nurse is giving a client an IV bolus of heparin. What is the most important nursing action?
- A. Monitor the client's heart rate.
- B. Check the client's blood pressure.
- C. Check for signs of bleeding.
- D. Monitor the client's respiratory rate.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When administering an IV bolus of heparin, the most important nursing action is to monitor the client's heart rate. Heparin can cause bradycardia as a side effect, making it crucial to assess the heart rate for any abnormalities. Checking the blood pressure (Choice B) is important but not as critical as monitoring the heart rate. While checking for signs of bleeding (Choice C) is essential, it is not the most crucial action when administering heparin. Monitoring the respiratory rate (Choice D) is also important but not as directly related to the potential side effects of heparin as monitoring the heart rate.
4. What term describes the phenomenon wherein decreased BP causes a reflex SNS response with increased pulse, increased contractility, and vasoconstriction; and increased BP causes reflex vagal responses resulting in decreased heart rate and passive vasodilation in the systemic arterioles?
- A. Baroreflex
- B. Cheyne-Stokes breathing
- C. Frank-Starling Law
- D. Starling reflex
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Baroreflex. The Baroreflex is a mechanism by which the body maintains blood pressure homeostasis through reflexive adjustments in heart rate and vascular tone. Choice B, Cheyne-Stokes breathing, is a pattern of breathing characterized by progressively deeper and sometimes faster breathing, followed by a gradual decrease that results in a temporary stop in breathing. Choices C and D, Frank-Starling Law and Starling reflex, are related to the intrinsic ability of the heart to adjust its output based on venous return, not specifically regulating blood pressure through reflex adjustments in heart rate and vascular tone as seen in the described phenomenon.
5. This test measures the amount of blood the heart pumps with each beat, often used to assess heart function.
- A. Ejection fraction
- B. Cardiac output
- C. Stroke volume
- D. End-diastolic volume
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ejection fraction. Ejection fraction is a measure of the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the left ventricle with each beat, used to assess heart function. Choice B, Cardiac output, is the total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute and is not specific to each beat. Choice C, Stroke volume, is the amount of blood ejected by the heart in one contraction but does not specify the percentage of blood pumped out. Choice D, End-diastolic volume, is the volume of blood in the ventricle just before it contracts and does not directly measure the blood pumped with each beat.
Similar Questions
Access More Features
ATI RN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days
- 50,000 Questions with answers
- All ATI courses Coverage
- 30 days access @ $69.99
ATI RN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days
- 50,000 Questions with answers
- All ATI courses Coverage
- 30 days access @ $149.99