ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions
1. The nurse is preparing to administer a beta blocker to a client with hypertension. What is the priority assessment?
- A. Check the client's heart rate.
- B. Check the client's blood pressure.
- C. Check the client's respiratory rate.
- D. Check the client's temperature.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to check the client's blood pressure. Before administering a beta blocker to a client with hypertension, assessing the blood pressure is crucial because beta blockers can cause hypotension, potentially leading to adverse effects. Checking the heart rate may also be important but is secondary to monitoring the blood pressure in this scenario. Respiratory rate and temperature assessments are not directly related to assessing the client's response to a beta blocker in hypertension management, making choices C and D less relevant.
2. The client is on amiodarone and reports blurred vision. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. Reassure the client that this is a common side effect.
- B. Instruct the client to report this symptom to the healthcare provider immediately.
- C. Advise the client to stop taking the medication.
- D. Discontinue the amiodarone immediately.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Blurred vision is a potential side effect of amiodarone. Instructing the client to report this symptom to the healthcare provider immediately is the most appropriate response. Choice A is incorrect because although blurred vision can be a common side effect of amiodarone, it should not be dismissed without further evaluation. Choice C is incorrect as advising the client to stop taking the medication without consulting the healthcare provider can be dangerous and is not the first course of action. Choice D is too drastic as discontinuing the medication should be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider after proper evaluation.
3. Which condition involves the tearing of the aorta, leading to severe pain and internal bleeding?
- A. Aortic dissection
- B. Aneurysm
- C. Stroke
- D. Myocardial infarction
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Aortic dissection. Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition where the inner layer of the aorta tears, causing severe chest or back pain and internal bleeding, requiring immediate medical attention. Choice B, aneurysm, involves a bulging or weakening of a blood vessel wall, which is different from a tear in the aorta. Choices C and D, stroke and myocardial infarction, do not directly involve the tearing of the aorta and are distinct conditions.
4. Which valve opens during ventricular systole and closes during ventricular diastole?
- A. Aortic valve
- B. Pulmonary valve
- C. Mitral valve
- D. Tricuspid valve
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pulmonary valve. The pulmonary valve opens during ventricular systole to allow blood to flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. The aortic valve opens during ventricular systole to allow blood to flow from the left ventricle into the aorta. The mitral valve and tricuspid valve are atrioventricular valves that open during ventricular diastole to allow blood to flow from the atria into the ventricles.
5. What is the condition where the lungs become filled with fluid, often due to heart failure, making it difficult to breathe?
- A. Pulmonary edema
- B. Pleural effusion
- C. Pulmonary hypertension
- D. Pneumothorax
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Pulmonary edema is the correct answer. It occurs when fluid fills the lungs, usually due to heart failure, leading to breathing difficulties. Pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid around the lungs, not inside. Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, and pneumothorax is the presence of air between the lung and chest wall.
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