this is a life threatening condition where the aorta tears causing severe pain and internal bleeding
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Cardiovascular System Exam Questions

1. Which condition involves the tearing of the aorta, leading to severe pain and internal bleeding?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Aortic dissection. Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition where the inner layer of the aorta tears, causing severe chest or back pain and internal bleeding, requiring immediate medical attention. Choice B, aneurysm, involves a bulging or weakening of a blood vessel wall, which is different from a tear in the aorta. Choices C and D, stroke and myocardial infarction, do not directly involve the tearing of the aorta and are distinct conditions.

2. What is a condition where the arteries supplying blood to the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked, causing pain and difficulty walking?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is characterized by the narrowing or blockage of arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet, resulting in pain and difficulty walking. Choice B, Atherosclerosis, is a condition involving the buildup of plaque in the arteries but is not specific to the legs and feet. Varicose veins (Choice C) refer to enlarged, twisted veins usually occurring in the legs. Raynaud's disease (Choice D) involves episodes of reduced blood flow to the extremities, typically triggered by cold temperatures or stress, but it is not directly related to the arteries in the legs and feet.

3. What is the ability of cardiac cells to generate an electrical impulse without being stimulated by an external source?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Automaticity is the correct answer because it refers to the inherent ability of cardiac cells to generate electrical impulses without the need for external stimulation. Contractility (Choice B) is the ability of the heart muscle to contract and generate force, not related to electrical impulse generation. Conductivity (Choice C) refers to the ability of cardiac cells to transmit electrical impulses from cell to cell, not the spontaneous generation of impulses. Refractoriness (Choice D) is the period during which the cardiac cells are recovering and not able to respond to a new stimulus, not the spontaneous generation of impulses.

4. The client on warfarin has an INR of 3.8. What is the most appropriate action by the nurse?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: An INR of 3.8 is elevated, indicating an increased risk of bleeding. Administering vitamin K can help reverse the effects of warfarin. Holding the next dose of warfarin would be appropriate if the INR was too high, but not as the first-line action. Increasing the dose of warfarin would worsen the situation by further increasing the INR. Notifying the healthcare provider is important, but immediate action to address the elevated INR is necessary.

5. When administering an ACE inhibitor to a client with heart failure, what is the expected outcome of this medication?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Increased cardiac output. ACE inhibitors are commonly used in heart failure to reduce the workload on the heart by decreasing blood pressure and increasing cardiac output. This ultimately helps improve the heart's efficiency and function. Choice A is incorrect because ACE inhibitors generally lead to a reduction in blood pressure. Choice B is incorrect as ACE inhibitors do not increase heart rate. Choice D is incorrect as ACE inhibitors do not typically decrease heart rate in the context of heart failure.

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