these fibers distribute the electrical impulse to the ventricles causing them to contract
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

Cardiovascular System Exam

1. Which fibers distribute the electrical impulse to the ventricles, causing them to contract?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Purkinje fibers. Purkinje fibers are specialized conducting fibers that distribute the electrical impulse to the ventricles, leading to their contraction. The SA node (sinoatrial node) is responsible for initiating the electrical impulse in the heart, the AV node (atrioventricular node) delays the impulse to allow for proper atrial contraction before ventricular contraction, and the Bundle of His transmits the impulse from the AV node to the ventricles. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are not the correct options for fibers directly distributing the impulse to the ventricles.

2. The nurse is caring for a client on digoxin. What is the most important assessment before administering this medication?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to check the client’s heart rate before administering digoxin because one of the side effects of digoxin is bradycardia. Monitoring the heart rate is crucial to assess whether the client's heart rate is within the acceptable range before giving the medication. Checking the blood pressure (Choice B), respiratory rate (Choice C), or oxygen saturation (Choice D) are important assessments in general patient care, but they are not specifically related to the administration of digoxin.

3. The client is receiving digoxin and complains of nausea. What is the nurse’s priority action?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to check the client’s digoxin level (Choice A). Nausea can be a sign of digoxin toxicity, so assessing the digoxin level is crucial to determine if the medication dosage needs adjustment. Continuing the current dose of digoxin (Choice B) may worsen the symptoms if toxicity is present. Administering an antiemetic (Choice C) may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying issue of digoxin toxicity. Discontinuing digoxin immediately (Choice D) without assessing the digoxin level can be harmful if the medication is within the therapeutic range.

4. What type of therapy delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the lungs?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Oxygen therapy is the correct answer because it specifically refers to a treatment that delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the lungs. This therapy is used for patients who require additional oxygen due to conditions affecting their breathing. Ventilator therapy (B), mechanical ventilation (C), and CPAP therapy (D) involve different mechanisms and purposes than delivering high concentrations of oxygen to the lungs.

5. What test measures the electrical activity of the heart and can detect heart rhythm problems?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). An electrocardiogram is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart and can detect irregularities in heart rhythm. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because a chest X-ray, MRI, and CT scan do not specifically measure the electrical activity of the heart or detect heart rhythm problems.

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