ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Exam
1. Which condition occurs when the heart muscle is damaged due to a lack of oxygen, often resulting from a heart attack?
- A. Myocardial infarction
- B. Angina
- C. Pericarditis
- D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is the condition where the heart muscle is damaged due to a lack of oxygen, typically caused by a blocked coronary artery. Angina (choice B) is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle doesn't receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Pericarditis (choice C) is the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. Pulmonary embolism (choice D) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, often caused by a blood clot.
2. What is a surgical procedure where a blood vessel is grafted to bypass a blocked coronary artery, improving blood flow to the heart muscle?
- A. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
- B. Valve replacement
- C. Angioplasty
- D. Endarterectomy
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). CABG involves grafting a blood vessel to bypass a blocked coronary artery, enhancing blood flow to the heart muscle. This procedure helps reduce the risk of heart attack by restoring proper blood circulation to the heart. Choice B, valve replacement, is a different surgical procedure that involves replacing damaged or dysfunctional heart valves. Choice C, angioplasty, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a balloon to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels. Choice D, endarterectomy, is the surgical removal of plaque from the lining of an artery to improve blood flow.
3. Which test measures how much and how quickly you can move air out of your lungs?
- A. Spirometry
- B. Peak flow meter
- C. Lung volume test
- D. Arterial blood gas
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Spirometry. Spirometry is a common pulmonary function test that measures lung function by assessing the amount (volume) and speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. This test helps in diagnosing conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung diseases. Peak flow meter (choice B) measures the maximum speed at which a person can exhale air, mainly used in asthma management. Lung volume test (choice C) evaluates the total amount of air the lungs can hold. Arterial blood gas (choice D) measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, providing information on how well the lungs are functioning in gas exchange, but it does not specifically measure the amount and speed of air movement in and out of the lungs like spirometry does.
4. The client is on digoxin and has severe digoxin toxicity. What is the nursing priority action?
- A. Check the potassium level.
- B. Give Digibind as an antidote.
- C. Change the dosing of digoxin to every other day.
- D. Administer a potassium supplement to decrease digoxin toxicity.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to give Digibind as an antidote in cases of severe digoxin toxicity. Digibind works by binding to digoxin and preventing it from causing further harm. Checking the potassium level (choice A) is important but not the priority when the client has severe toxicity. Changing the dosing to every other day (choice C) is not appropriate in the setting of severe toxicity where immediate action is required. Giving a potassium supplement (choice D) may be needed eventually, but the priority is to administer Digibind to counteract the toxic effects of digoxin.
5. The nurse is caring for a client on warfarin with an INR of 5.2. What is the most appropriate action?
- A. Administer vitamin K as an antidote.
- B. Hold the next dose of warfarin.
- C. Increase the dose of warfarin.
- D. Monitor the client’s INR closely.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: An INR of 5.2 is elevated, indicating an increased risk of bleeding. Administering vitamin K can help reverse the effects of warfarin, which is the most appropriate action in this situation. Holding the next dose of warfarin is not enough to address the high INR, and increasing the dose would further elevate the INR level. Monitoring the INR closely is important, but in this case, immediate action is needed to counteract the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
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