ATI RN
Physical Exam Cardiovascular System
1. The nurse is administering digoxin to a client. What is the most important parameter to check before administration?
- A. Heart rate
- B. Blood pressure
- C. Respiratory rate
- D. Oxygen saturation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Heart rate. Before administering digoxin, it is crucial to check the client's heart rate because digoxin can cause bradycardia, making it essential to ensure the heart rate is within the appropriate range. Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are also important parameters to monitor in a clinical setting, but when administering digoxin, the focus should primarily be on the heart rate due to its potential effects on cardiac function.
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. What condition is characterized by narrowed or blocked arteries in the legs or arms, leading to pain and mobility issues?
- A. Peripheral artery disease
- B. Atherosclerosis
- C. Raynaud's disease
- D. Varicose veins
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a condition where the arteries in the legs or arms become narrowed or blocked, leading to pain and mobility issues. Choice B, Atherosclerosis, refers to the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls, not specifically the narrowing or blockage in the extremities. Choice C, Raynaud's disease, is characterized by reduced blood flow to the extremities, leading to coldness, numbness, and color changes in the skin, but it is not primarily about narrowed or blocked arteries. Choice D, Varicose veins, involves enlarged, twisted veins usually in the legs, but it is not related to narrowed or blocked arteries causing pain and mobility issues.
4. The client on warfarin has an INR of 1.2. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Increase the dose of warfarin
- B. Administer vitamin K
- C. Monitor for signs of bleeding
- D. Hold the next dose and notify the healthcare provider
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to increase the dose of warfarin. An INR of 1.2 is below the therapeutic range for a client on warfarin, indicating that the dose is subtherapeutic. The priority action in this situation is to adjust the dose to achieve the target therapeutic INR range (usually 2-3) to prevent thromboembolic events. Administering vitamin K is not necessary as the INR is low, and there are no signs of bleeding. Monitoring for signs of bleeding is important but not the priority in this case since the INR is subtherapeutic. Holding the next dose and notifying the healthcare provider would delay the intervention needed to adjust the dose and achieve the therapeutic range.
5. What is a condition where the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients?
- A. Stroke
- B. Heart attack
- C. Pulmonary embolism
- D. Pneumonia
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, leading to brain cell death and potential disability. Choice B, a heart attack, involves a blockage in the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. Choice C, a pulmonary embolism, is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. Choice D, pneumonia, is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.
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