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 test measures the pressure in the arteries during the contraction and relaxation of the heart?
- A. Blood pressure test
- B. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- C. Spirometry
- D. Pulse oximetry
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Blood pressure test.' This test measures the pressure in the arteries during the contraction (systolic) and relaxation (diastolic) phases of the heart, providing important information about heart health. Choice B, 'Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG),' records the heart's electrical activity and is not specifically related to measuring arterial pressure. Choice C, 'Spirometry,' assesses lung function by measuring airflow. Choice D, 'Pulse oximetry,' measures oxygen saturation in the blood, not arterial pressure.
3. What test measures the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time, typically 24 to 48 hours?
- A. Holter monitor
- B. Echocardiogram
- C. Stress test
- D. Arterial blood gas (ABG)
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Holter monitor. A Holter monitor is a portable device that records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of 24 to 48 hours. It is used to detect arrhythmias and other heart conditions. Choice B, Echocardiogram, is a test that uses sound waves to create images of the heart's structure and function, not focused on the electrical activity. Choice C, Stress test, evaluates the heart's function under stress but does not monitor electrical activity over an extended period. Choice D, Arterial blood gas (ABG), measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, unrelated to measuring the electrical activity of the heart over time.
4. The nurse is giving nitroglycerin sublingually for chest pain. What is the most important instruction to give to the client?
- A. Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve completely.
- B. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
- C. Chew the tablet and then swallow it.
- D. Take one tablet every 5 minutes until pain is relieved.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve completely to ensure rapid absorption. This route of administration allows the medication to be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Choice B is incorrect because nitroglycerin is meant to be absorbed sublingually, not swallowed. Choice C is incorrect as chewing the tablet can cause the medication to be rapidly absorbed, leading to adverse effects like a drop in blood pressure. Choice D is incorrect because the client should take only one tablet every 5 minutes up to a maximum of three tablets for chest pain relief.
5. What procedure involves using a catheter to create a small scar in the heart tissue to block abnormal electrical signals and restore normal heart rhythm?
- A. Catheter ablation
- B. Angioplasty
- C. Stent placement
- D. Valve replacement
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Catheter ablation is the correct answer. During catheter ablation, a catheter is used to create a small scar in the heart tissue to block abnormal electrical signals, thereby restoring a normal heart rhythm. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because angioplasty is a procedure to widen narrowed or obstructed arteries, stent placement involves inserting a mesh tube to support a weak artery, and valve replacement is the surgical procedure of replacing a heart valve, none of which match the description provided in the question.
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