ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Exam
1. What is the condition where the lung collapses due to air leaking into the space between the lung and chest wall?
- A. Pneumothorax
- B. Pleural effusion
- C. Pulmonary fibrosis
- D. Lung cancer
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Pneumothorax is the correct answer. It is the collapse of a lung due to air leaking into the space between the lung and chest wall. This condition often requires emergency treatment. Choice B, Pleural effusion, is the buildup of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lung, not air. Choice C, Pulmonary fibrosis, is a lung disease characterized by scarring and thickening of lung tissue, not related to lung collapse. Choice D, Lung cancer, is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lung, not directly causing lung collapse.
2. The nurse is caring for a client on amiodarone who develops a cough. What is the most appropriate action?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- B. Reassure the client that this is a common side effect.
- C. Continue the amiodarone and monitor the client’s symptoms.
- D. Discontinue the amiodarone immediately.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct action when a client on amiodarone develops a cough, which can be a sign of pulmonary toxicity, a serious side effect of amiodarone, is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is crucial because pulmonary toxicity can lead to severe complications if not addressed promptly. Choices B and C are incorrect as they do not address the potential severity of the situation and may delay necessary intervention. Choice D of discontinuing amiodarone immediately without consulting the healthcare provider can be risky, as sudden discontinuation of the medication may have adverse effects on the client's condition.
3. The nurse is administering digoxin to a client with a heart rate of 45 bpm. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider.
- B. Administer the digoxin as ordered.
- C. Increase the dose of digoxin.
- D. Monitor the client’s heart rate and reassess in 30 minutes.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider. A heart rate of 45 bpm is already low, and digoxin can further decrease the heart rate, leading to serious complications like bradycardia or heart block. Administering the medication can exacerbate the bradycardia, hence it should be withheld. Increasing the dose of digoxin is contraindicated due to the client's low heart rate. Monitoring the heart rate alone without taking immediate action to withhold the medication is not the priority when faced with the risk of further lowering the heart rate.
4. What is a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally enlarged, thickened, or stiffened, often leading to heart failure?
- A. Cardiomyopathy
- B. Pericarditis
- C. Aortic stenosis
- D. Mitral valve prolapse
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Cardiomyopathy is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by the abnormal enlargement, thickening, or stiffening of the heart muscle, which can lead to heart failure. Pericarditis (choice B) is inflammation of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, not directly related to heart muscle enlargement. Aortic stenosis (choice C) is the narrowing of the aortic valve opening, affecting blood flow from the heart, but not directly related to heart muscle enlargement. Mitral valve prolapse (choice D) is a condition where the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle doesn't close properly, causing blood to leak backward, and is not directly related to heart muscle enlargement.
5. Which valves close during ventricular systole and open during ventricular diastole?
- A. Semilunar valves
- B. Atrioventricular Valves
- C. Mitral valve
- D. Tricuspid valve
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Atrioventricular Valves. The atrioventricular (AV) valves, including the mitral valve and tricuspid valve, close during ventricular systole to prevent backflow of blood from the ventricles into the atria. They open during ventricular diastole to allow blood flow from the atria into the ventricles. Semilunar valves, choice A, are located at the exits of the ventricles and prevent backflow into the ventricles. The mitral valve and tricuspid valve, choices C and D, are specific types of AV valves.
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