ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions
1. The client on amiodarone reports shortness of breath. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- B. Reassure the client that this is a common side effect.
- C. Instruct the client to monitor their symptoms at home.
- D. Suggest the client reduce physical activity.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When a client on amiodarone reports shortness of breath, it can be indicative of pulmonary toxicity, a severe side effect associated with this medication. The nurse's priority is to notify the healthcare provider immediately to assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action. Choice B is incorrect because shortness of breath with amiodarone should not be dismissed as a common side effect. Instructing the client to monitor symptoms at home (Choice C) may delay necessary intervention. Suggesting the client reduce physical activity (Choice D) does not address the potential serious nature of the symptom and the need for prompt evaluation.
2. What is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged or diseased heart valve with a prosthetic valve?
- A. Valve replacement
- B. Angioplasty
- C. Stent placement
- D. Bypass surgery
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Valve replacement is the correct answer because it involves replacing a damaged or diseased heart valve with a prosthetic valve. This procedure is essential for improving blood flow and heart function. Angioplasty (choice B) is a procedure to widen narrowed or obstructed arteries. Stent placement (choice C) involves inserting a mesh tube to help support weak arteries. Bypass surgery (choice D) is a procedure to create new routes for blood flow when arteries are blocked.
3. The client is on enoxaparin (Lovenox) for DVT prophylaxis. What is the most important lab value to monitor?
- A. Platelet count
- B. PT/INR
- C. aPTT
- D. Hemoglobin
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Platelet count. When a client is on enoxaparin (Lovenox), monitoring the platelet count is crucial as enoxaparin can lead to a rare but serious side effect known as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), causing a decrease in platelet count. Monitoring the platelet count helps detect this adverse reaction early. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because enoxaparin therapy does not directly affect PT/INR, aPTT, or hemoglobin levels.
4. What is a condition where the arteries supplying blood to the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked, causing pain and difficulty walking?
- A. Peripheral artery disease
- B. Atherosclerosis
- C. Varicose veins
- D. Raynaud's disease
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is characterized by the narrowing or blockage of arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet, resulting in pain and difficulty walking. Choice B, Atherosclerosis, is a condition involving the buildup of plaque in the arteries but is not specific to the legs and feet. Varicose veins (Choice C) refer to enlarged, twisted veins usually occurring in the legs. Raynaud's disease (Choice D) involves episodes of reduced blood flow to the extremities, typically triggered by cold temperatures or stress, but it is not directly related to the arteries in the legs and feet.
5. What is this surgical procedure that restores blood flow to the heart by diverting blood around a blocked artery?
- A. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
- B. Angioplasty
- C. Stent placement
- D. Valve replacement
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), which is a surgical procedure to improve blood flow to the heart by redirecting blood around blocked or narrowed arteries. This procedure is specifically designed to bypass blocked coronary arteries, allowing blood to flow more freely to the heart muscle. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because angioplasty involves opening up narrowed or blocked blood vessels, stent placement involves inserting a mesh tube to keep arteries open, and valve replacement involves replacing a damaged heart valve - none of which directly address diverting blood flow around a blocked artery.
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