the client is on nitroglycerin and reports chest pain what is the nurses priority action
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

Cardiovascular System Exam Questions

1. The client is on nitroglycerin and reports chest pain. What is the nurse’s priority action?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Notify the healthcare provider immediately. If a client on nitroglycerin reports chest pain, the priority action is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is crucial to ensure prompt reassessment of the client's condition and treatment plan. Administering nitroglycerin, morphine, or aspirin without consulting the healthcare provider first can be risky as the chest pain may indicate a need for a change in treatment or further evaluation. Administering medications without proper assessment and guidance can lead to complications and is not recommended in this scenario.

2. Which surgical procedure involves grafting a blood vessel to bypass a blocked artery in the heart?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). This surgical procedure involves grafting a blood vessel to bypass a blocked coronary artery, improving blood flow to the heart muscle. Choice B, Valve replacement, is a procedure to replace a damaged heart valve and is not directly related to bypassing blocked arteries. Choice C, Stent placement, involves inserting a mesh tube to keep blocked arteries open and is different from grafting a blood vessel. Choice D, Angioplasty, is a procedure to widen narrowed or blocked arteries, typically using a balloon catheter, and does not involve grafting a blood vessel.

3. Which medication is used to lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is an ACE inhibitor. ACE inhibitors are medications specifically designed to lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events. Beta-blockers, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers are also used to treat high blood pressure, but ACE inhibitors are particularly effective in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

4. Which condition occurs when the heart muscle is damaged due to a lack of oxygen, often resulting from a heart attack?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is the condition where the heart muscle is damaged due to a lack of oxygen, typically caused by a blocked coronary artery. Angina (choice B) is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle doesn't receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Pericarditis (choice C) is the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. Pulmonary embolism (choice D) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, often caused by a blood clot.

5. What test measures the electrical activity of the heart over a 24- or 48-hour period?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Holter monitor. A Holter monitor is a portable device that continuously records the heart's electrical activity over 24 to 48 hours, aiding in the diagnosis of arrhythmias and other heart conditions. Choice B, an Electrocardiogram, provides a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity at a specific point in time, not over an extended period like a Holter monitor. Choice C, a Stress test, measures how the heart responds to physical activity and is not used for continuous monitoring of electrical activity. Choice D, a Chest X-ray, is used to visualize the structures of the chest, not to measure the heart's electrical activity.

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