ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions Pdf
1. What is a condition where the airways become swollen and produce extra mucus, making it difficult to breathe, often associated with COPD?
- A. Chronic bronchitis
- B. Pneumonia
- C. Emphysema
- D. Tuberculosis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is the correct answer. It is a long-term inflammation of the bronchi, leading to persistent cough and mucus production, commonly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pneumonia (Choice B) is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. Emphysema (Choice C) is a lung condition where the air sacs in the lungs are damaged, making it difficult to breathe. Tuberculosis (Choice D) is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs.
2. What is a condition where the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become hardened and narrowed due to the buildup of plaque?
- A. Atherosclerosis
- B. Aneurysm
- C. Arrhythmia
- D. Peripheral artery disease
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries supplying blood to the heart due to plaque buildup. This condition increases the risk of heart attacks. Choice B, aneurysm, refers to a balloon-like bulge in an artery, not the hardening and narrowing of arteries. Choice C, arrhythmia, is an irregular heartbeat and not related to arterial hardening. Choice D, peripheral artery disease, involves the narrowing of arteries that supply blood to the limbs, not specifically to the heart.
3. The client on amiodarone develops symptoms of hypothyroidism. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- B. Reassure the client that this is a common side effect of amiodarone.
- C. Monitor the client’s thyroid function tests regularly.
- D. Discontinue the amiodarone immediately.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: When a client on amiodarone develops symptoms of hypothyroidism, the nurse's best response is to monitor the client's thyroid function tests regularly. Amiodarone can affect thyroid function, so monitoring is essential to assess the impact and adjust treatment if necessary. Notifying the healthcare provider immediately (Choice A) may be necessary in some cases but the priority is to monitor first. Reassuring the client (Choice B) is not sufficient as monitoring is crucial. Discontinuing amiodarone (Choice D) abruptly without healthcare provider guidance can lead to serious consequences.
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 client on a beta blocker has a blood pressure of 88/58 mm Hg. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Hold the beta blocker and notify the healthcare provider.
- B. Administer the beta blocker as ordered.
- C. Increase the dose of the beta blocker.
- D. Continue to monitor the client and reassess in 30 minutes.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when a client on a beta blocker presents with a blood pressure of 88/58 mm Hg is to hold the beta blocker and notify the healthcare provider. Beta blockers can further decrease blood pressure, which is already low in this case. Administering the beta blocker as ordered (Choice B) would exacerbate the hypotension. Increasing the dose of the beta blocker (Choice C) would be inappropriate and unsafe given the low blood pressure. Continuing to monitor the client and reassessing in 30 minutes (Choice D) could lead to a delay in necessary intervention. Therefore, the priority is to hold the medication and seek guidance from the healthcare provider.
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