ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Exam
1. The nurse is giving nitroglycerin sublingually for chest pain. What is the most important instruction to give to the client?
- A. Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve completely.
- B. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
- C. Chew the tablet and then swallow it.
- D. Take one tablet every 5 minutes until pain is relieved.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve completely to ensure rapid absorption. This route of administration allows the medication to be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Choice B is incorrect because nitroglycerin is meant to be absorbed sublingually, not swallowed. Choice C is incorrect as chewing the tablet can cause the medication to be rapidly absorbed, leading to adverse effects like a drop in blood pressure. Choice D is incorrect because the client should take only one tablet every 5 minutes up to a maximum of three tablets for chest pain relief.
2. What is the condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, and other symptoms?
- A. Pulmonary embolism
- B. Pneumothorax
- C. Pleural effusion
- D. Aneurysm
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain. This condition is life-threatening and requires prompt treatment. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they refer to different medical conditions: Pneumothorax is a collapsed lung, Pleural effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid around the lungs, and an Aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel.
3. The client on amiodarone develops pulmonary fibrosis. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- B. Continue the medication and monitor lung function.
- C. Discontinue the medication and start oxygen therapy.
- D. Reduce the dose and monitor respiratory status.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When a client on amiodarone develops pulmonary fibrosis, a serious side effect, the immediate action the nurse should take is to notify the healthcare provider. This is crucial because pulmonary fibrosis can lead to severe respiratory compromise and requires prompt evaluation and management by the healthcare provider. Continuing the medication (choice B) can worsen the condition, and delaying action by reducing the dose and monitoring respiratory status (choice D) may not be appropriate given the seriousness of pulmonary fibrosis. Discontinuing the medication and starting oxygen therapy (choice C) may be necessary, but the priority is to notify the healthcare provider first for further assessment and guidance.
4. Which term refers to high blood pressure, a condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Hypotension
- C. Hyperlipidemia
- D. Diabetes
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Hypertension. Hypertension is a condition characterized by persistently high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Choice B, Hypotension, refers to low blood pressure. Choice C, Hyperlipidemia, is the term for high levels of fats in the blood. Choice D, Diabetes, is a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels.
5. Which type of medication helps to lower cholesterol levels in the blood?
- A. Statins
- B. Beta-blockers
- C. ACE inhibitors
- D. Diuretics
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Statins are a type of medication specifically designed to lower cholesterol levels in the blood by inhibiting an enzyme involved in cholesterol production. Beta-blockers are mainly used to treat conditions like high blood pressure and heart problems by reducing the heart rate and workload. ACE inhibitors are used to manage conditions like high blood pressure and heart failure by relaxing blood vessels. Diuretics are medications that help the body get rid of excess salt and water by increasing urine production. Therefore, in the context of lowering cholesterol levels, statins are the most appropriate choice.
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