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Cardiovascular System Exam Questions And Answers
1. What procedure uses a balloon to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the heart?
- A. Angioplasty
- B. Coronary artery bypass graft
- C. Stent placement
- D. Valve replacement
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Angioplasty. Angioplasty is a procedure that involves using a balloon to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the heart, thereby improving blood flow. This choice is correct because it directly matches the description provided in the question. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they involve different procedures: Bypass graft is a surgical procedure to redirect blood flow, stent placement involves inserting a mesh tube to keep an artery open, and valve replacement is the surgical replacement of a heart valve.
2. The nurse is administering enoxaparin (Lovenox) to a client. What is the most important lab value to monitor?
- A. Platelet count
- B. Hemoglobin
- C. White blood cell count
- D. aPTT
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Platelet count. When administering enoxaparin, it is crucial to monitor the platelet count because enoxaparin can lead to a rare but serious side effect known as thrombocytopenia, which is a decrease in platelet levels. Monitoring the platelet count helps in detecting this adverse effect early. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because hemoglobin, white blood cell count, and aPTT are not the most important lab values to monitor specifically for enoxaparin administration.
3. What are the pressure-sensitive structures located in the aortic and carotid bodies called?
- A. Baroreceptors
- B. Chemoreceptors
- C. Nociceptors
- D. Mechanoreceptors
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Baroreceptors are the correct answer. Baroreceptors are specialized sensory receptors that detect changes in pressure within blood vessels. They are primarily located in the aortic arch and carotid sinuses, where they play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure. Chemoreceptors (Choice B) are receptors that detect chemical changes, not pressure changes. Nociceptors (Choice C) are responsible for detecting painful stimuli. Mechanoreceptors (Choice D) respond to mechanical stimuli such as touch, pressure, and vibration, but they are not specifically located in the aortic and carotid bodies.
4. What is a severe allergic reaction that can cause difficulty breathing and shock?
- A. Anaphylaxis
- B. Asthma attack
- C. Bronchospasm
- D. Hypersensitivity
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Anaphylaxis is the correct answer. It is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can lead to difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. An asthma attack is a separate condition characterized by narrowed airways and difficulty breathing, but it is not necessarily related to an allergic reaction like anaphylaxis. Bronchospasm refers to the sudden constriction of muscles in the bronchi, leading to breathing difficulties, and is not specific to allergic reactions. Hypersensitivity is a general term for an exaggerated immune response to a substance, which may or may not manifest as severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis.
5. Which condition is characterized by the right ventricle of the heart failing due to increased pressure in the lungs, often caused by chronic lung disease?
- A. Cor pulmonale
- B. Pulmonary embolism
- C. Aortic stenosis
- D. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Cor pulmonale, a condition where the right ventricle of the heart fails due to increased pressure in the lungs, commonly caused by chronic lung diseases like COPD. Pulmonary embolism (choice B) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, usually caused by a blood clot. Aortic stenosis (choice C) is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening that restricts blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (choice D) is a genetic condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it harder for the heart to pump blood.
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