ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions And Answers
1. This is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
- A. Heart failure
- B. Cardiomyopathy
- C. Myocarditis
- D. Pericarditis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic condition characterized by the heart's inability to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention. Choice B, Cardiomyopathy, refers to diseases of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure but is not the specific term for the condition described. Choices C and D, Myocarditis and Pericarditis, respectively, are conditions involving inflammation of the heart muscle or the lining around the heart, which can cause heart failure as a complication but are not the primary condition described in the question.
2. The client is on spironolactone (Aldactone) and has a potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Hold the spironolactone and notify the healthcare provider.
- B. Administer potassium supplements.
- C. Continue the spironolactone as ordered.
- D. Increase the dose of spironolactone.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold the spironolactone and notify the healthcare provider. A potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L is high, indicating hyperkalemia. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can further increase potassium levels. Therefore, the priority action is to hold the medication to prevent exacerbating hyperkalemia and notify the healthcare provider for further guidance. Choice B is incorrect because administering potassium supplements would worsen hyperkalemia. Choice C is incorrect because continuing spironolactone could lead to a further increase in potassium levels. Choice D is incorrect because increasing the dose of spironolactone would exacerbate the hyperkalemia.
3. What test uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart, allowing doctors to see how well the heart is functioning?
- A. Echocardiogram
- B. MRI
- C. CT scan
- D. X-ray
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is an echocardiogram. This test utilizes sound waves to generate images of the heart, enabling doctors to evaluate both the function and structure of the heart. Choice B, MRI, uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body's organs and structures, not specifically focused on the heart. Choice C, CT scan, employs X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body, not primarily for the heart. Choice D, X-ray, uses electromagnetic radiation to produce images of internal structures, but it does not provide the detailed pictures of the heart's function that an echocardiogram does.
4. Which of the following is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by the irreversible obstruction of airflow?
- A. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- B. Asthma
- C. Pulmonary edema
- D. Bronchiectasis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a chronic respiratory disease where the airflow in the lungs becomes obstructed, making it difficult to breathe. Choice B, Asthma, is a different chronic respiratory condition characterized by reversible airflow obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness. Choice C, Pulmonary edema, is a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs, leading to difficulty in breathing but not irreversible airflow obstruction. Choice D, Bronchiectasis, is a condition characterized by abnormal widening of the bronchial tubes, leading to recurrent respiratory infections, but it is not specifically defined by irreversible airflow obstruction.
5. What is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs, and can lead to serious complications if it travels to the lungs?
- A. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- B. Pulmonary embolism
- C. Varicose veins
- D. Raynaud's disease
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. If the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs, it can lead to a serious condition called a pulmonary embolism. Choice B, pulmonary embolism, is incorrect as it is the consequence of a DVT clot traveling to the lungs, not the initial condition. Choices C and D, varicose veins, and Raynaud's disease, respectively, are unrelated conditions to the formation of blood clots in deep veins.
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