ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Exam
1. What term describes the phenomenon wherein decreased BP causes a reflex SNS response with increased pulse, increased contractility, and vasoconstriction; and increased BP causes reflex vagal responses resulting in decreased heart rate and passive vasodilation in the systemic arterioles?
- A. Baroreflex
- B. Cheyne-Stokes breathing
- C. Frank-Starling Law
- D. Starling reflex
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Baroreflex. The Baroreflex is a mechanism by which the body maintains blood pressure homeostasis through reflexive adjustments in heart rate and vascular tone. Choice B, Cheyne-Stokes breathing, is a pattern of breathing characterized by progressively deeper and sometimes faster breathing, followed by a gradual decrease that results in a temporary stop in breathing. Choices C and D, Frank-Starling Law and Starling reflex, are related to the intrinsic ability of the heart to adjust its output based on venous return, not specifically regulating blood pressure through reflex adjustments in heart rate and vascular tone as seen in the described phenomenon.
2. Which term refers to a condition where the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked, often referred to as a heart attack?
- A. Myocardial infarction
- B. Arrhythmia
- C. Stroke
- D. Aneurysm
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, myocardial infarction. A myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked, often by a blood clot. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat, stroke involves the interruption of blood flow to the brain, and an aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel.
3. 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.
4. What is a condition where the pulmonary arteries become blocked by a blood clot, leading to chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms?
- A. Pulmonary embolism
- B. Pneumothorax
- C. Pulmonary edema
- D. Pulmonary hypertension
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism is a condition where a blood clot blocks one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, resulting in symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and other related signs. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because pneumothorax refers to a collapsed lung, pulmonary edema is the build-up of fluid in the lungs, and pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs - none of which directly involve a blood clot blocking the pulmonary arteries.
5. The healthcare provider is monitoring a client on an ACE inhibitor. What lab value is most important to monitor?
- A. Potassium
- B. Sodium
- C. Creatinine
- D. Calcium
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Potassium. When a client is on an ACE inhibitor, it is crucial to monitor potassium levels because ACE inhibitors can lead to an increase in potassium, potentially causing hyperkalemia. Monitoring sodium levels (Choice B) is not as critical in this scenario. Creatinine levels (Choice C) are important for assessing kidney function but are not the most crucial lab value to monitor with ACE inhibitors. Calcium levels (Choice D) are not directly affected by ACE inhibitors and are not the priority for monitoring in this case.
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