Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is administering a calcium channel blocker. What is the primary effect of this medication on the cardiovascular system?

• A. Decreases heart rate
• B. Increases heart rate
• C. Increases blood pressure
• D. Decreases blood pressure

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Decreases blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers primarily work by relaxing the blood vessels, leading to a decrease in blood pressure. Choice A, 'Decreases heart rate,' is incorrect because calcium channel blockers do not significantly affect heart rate. Choice B, 'Increases heart rate,' is incorrect as calcium channel blockers do not have a primary effect of increasing heart rate. Choice C, 'Increases blood pressure,' is incorrect as the primary effect of calcium channel blockers is to decrease blood pressure by vasodilation.

2. Which artery supplies the anterior wall of the left ventricle, the anterior interventricular septum, the anterior papillary muscles, and apex of the heart?

• A. Left anterior descending artery
• B. Left circumflex artery
• C. Posterior descending artery
• D. Aortic artery

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the Left anterior descending artery. This artery supplies the anterior wall of the left ventricle, the anterior interventricular septum, the anterior papillary muscles, and apex of the heart. The Left circumflex artery (choice B) supplies the lateral and posterior walls of the left ventricle, the posterior descending artery (choice C) supplies the inferior part of the heart, and the aortic artery (choice D) is not a specific coronary artery.

3. What is a condition where the heart muscle becomes thickened without an obvious cause, leading to a reduction in the heart's ability to pump blood?

• A. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• B. Dilated cardiomyopathy
• C. Restrictive cardiomyopathy
• D. Myocarditis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by the abnormal thickening of the heart muscle without an obvious cause, which impairs the heart's ability to effectively pump blood. Dilated cardiomyopathy (choice B) involves the enlargement and weakening of the heart chambers, not thickening. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (choice C) refers to the stiffening of the heart muscle, limiting its ability to fill properly. Myocarditis (choice D) is inflammation of the heart muscle usually caused by a viral infection, not thickening.

4. What is a condition where the right side of the heart fails due to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, often caused by chronic lung disease?

• A. Cor pulmonale
• B. Heart failure
• C. Pulmonary embolism
• D. Myocarditis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Cor pulmonale is the correct answer. It is a condition where the right side of the heart fails due to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, often caused by chronic lung disease such as COPD. Pulmonary embolism (choice C) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs. Myocarditis (choice D) is inflammation of the heart muscle. While heart failure (choice B) is a broad term that can involve the failure of either the right or left side of the heart.

5. The nurse is caring for a client on warfarin with an INR of 5.2. What is the most appropriate action?

• A. Administer vitamin K as an antidote.
• 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 5.2 is elevated, indicating an increased risk of bleeding. Administering vitamin K can help reverse the effects of warfarin, which is the most appropriate action in this situation. Holding the next dose of warfarin is not enough to address the high INR, and increasing the dose would further elevate the INR level. Monitoring the INR closely is important, but in this case, immediate action is needed to counteract the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.

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