ATI RN
Physical Exam Cardiovascular System
1. The client is on digoxin and has severe digoxin toxicity. What is the nursing priority action?
- A. Check the potassium level.
- B. Give Digibind as an antidote.
- C. Change the dosing of digoxin to every other day.
- D. Administer a potassium supplement to decrease digoxin toxicity.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to give Digibind as an antidote in cases of severe digoxin toxicity. Digibind works by binding to digoxin and preventing it from causing further harm. Checking the potassium level (choice A) is important but not the priority when the client has severe toxicity. Changing the dosing to every other day (choice C) is not appropriate in the setting of severe toxicity where immediate action is required. Giving a potassium supplement (choice D) may be needed eventually, but the priority is to administer Digibind to counteract the toxic effects of digoxin.
2. What is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body?
- A. Heart failure
- B. Cardiomyopathy
- C. Pericarditis
- D. Aortic stenosis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Heart failure is the correct answer. It is a chronic condition characterized by the heart's inability to pump blood efficiently, resulting in symptoms like fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body, shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention. Cardiomyopathy (choice B) refers to diseases of the heart muscle, but it is a broader category that includes various conditions affecting the heart muscle. Pericarditis (choice C) is the inflammation of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, and aortic stenosis (choice D) is a condition where the aortic valve narrows, restricting blood flow from the heart.
3. From where do these originate, behind the cusps of the aortic valve, in an area known as Valsalva’s sinus?
- A. Pulmonary valve
- B. Aortic valve
- C. Tricuspid valve
- D. Mitral valve
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, Aortic valve. The aortic valve is a semilunar valve located between the left ventricle and the aorta. It prevents the backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle. The pulmonary valve (choice A) is located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, not in the Valsalva’s sinus area. The tricuspid valve (choice C) is situated between the right atrium and right ventricle, and the mitral valve (choice D) is located between the left atrium and left ventricle, making them incorrect choices for this question.
4. What test uses sound waves to create images of the heart and assess its structure and function?
- A. Echocardiogram
- B. MRI
- C. CT scan
- D. X-ray
Correct answer: A
Rationale: An echocardiogram is the correct answer because it is a test specifically designed to use sound waves to create images of the heart, allowing healthcare providers to assess both its structure and function, as well as to detect any abnormalities. MRI (Choice B), CT scan (Choice C), and X-ray (Choice D) do not primarily use sound waves for imaging the heart; therefore, they are not the most appropriate choices for this scenario.
5. What are the pressure-sensitive structures located in the aortic and carotid bodies called?
- A. Baroreceptors
- B. Chemoreceptors
- C. Nociceptors
- D. Mechanoreceptors
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Baroreceptors are the correct answer. Baroreceptors are specialized sensory receptors that detect changes in pressure within blood vessels. They are primarily located in the aortic arch and carotid sinuses, where they play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure. Chemoreceptors (Choice B) are receptors that detect chemical changes, not pressure changes. Nociceptors (Choice C) are responsible for detecting painful stimuli. Mechanoreceptors (Choice D) respond to mechanical stimuli such as touch, pressure, and vibration, but they are not specifically located in the aortic and carotid bodies.
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