ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions Pdf
1. The client on warfarin has an INR of 4.5. What is the most appropriate action by the nurse?
- A. Administer vitamin K.
- B. Hold the next dose of warfarin.
- C. Increase the dose of warfarin.
- D. Monitor the client’s INR closely.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: An INR of 4.5 is elevated, indicating an increased risk of bleeding due to excessive anticoagulation. The most appropriate action for the nurse in this scenario is to administer vitamin K. Vitamin K helps reverse the anticoagulant effects of warfarin, thus lowering the INR and reducing the risk of bleeding. Holding the next dose of warfarin (choice B) is not sufficient to address the immediate high INR level. Increasing the dose of warfarin (choice C) would further elevate the INR, worsening the risk of bleeding. While monitoring the client's INR closely (choice D) is important, immediate action is required to address the critically high INR level, making the administration of vitamin K the priority intervention.
2. Which heart chamber receives oxygenated blood from the four pulmonary veins and serves as a reservoir during ventricular systole?
- A. Right atrium
- B. Left atrium
- C. Right ventricle
- D. Left ventricle
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, Left atrium. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the four pulmonary veins and acts as a holding chamber before the blood is pumped into the left ventricle. Choice A, Right atrium, is incorrect as it receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the vena cava. Choices C and D, Right ventricle and Left ventricle, are incorrect as they receive blood from the atria, not the pulmonary veins.
3. Which condition is characterized by the lungs becoming scarred and stiff, leading to difficulty breathing and inadequate oxygen intake into the bloodstream?
- A. Pulmonary fibrosis
- B. Cystic fibrosis
- C. COPD
- D. Tuberculosis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease where lung tissue is damaged and scarred, resulting in breathing difficulties and decreased oxygen transfer into the bloodstream. Cystic fibrosis (B) is a genetic disorder primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system, not causing lung scarring. COPD (C) includes conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema but doesn't specifically involve lung scarring. Tuberculosis (D) is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but doesn't cause lung tissue scarring and stiffness as seen in pulmonary fibrosis.
4. This term refers to a change in the inotropic state of the muscle without a change in myocardial fiber length.
- A. Contractility
- B. Excitability
- C. Refractoriness
- D. Automaticity
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Contractility. Contractility specifically refers to the change in the force of contraction of the heart muscle without changing its length. In this scenario, the focus is on the change in the inotropic state of the muscle, which directly relates to contractility. Choice B, Excitability, refers to the ability of a cell to respond to a stimulus, not specifically related to changes in contractile force. Choice C, Refractoriness, pertains to the period during which a cell is unresponsive to a new stimulus. Choice D, Automaticity, refers to the ability of cardiac cells to spontaneously generate electrical impulses.
5. The client on nitroglycerin complains of a headache. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
- A. Administer acetaminophen as prescribed for the headache.
- B. Hold the next dose of nitroglycerin.
- C. Discontinue the nitroglycerin immediately.
- D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct response is to administer acetaminophen as prescribed for the headache. Headaches are a common side effect of nitroglycerin due to vasodilation. Administering acetaminophen can help relieve the headache. Holding the next dose of nitroglycerin (Choice B) may not address the current headache, and discontinuing nitroglycerin immediately (Choice C) without healthcare provider guidance can be dangerous due to the potential for rebound hypertension. Notifying the healthcare provider immediately (Choice D) is not necessary for a common side effect like a headache, and the nurse can manage this symptom independently.
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