ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions
1. What procedure is used to visualize the airways and diagnose lung disease?
- A. Bronchoscopy
- B. Thoracentesis
- C. Pulmonary function test
- D. Chest X-ray
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Bronchoscopy is the correct answer because it is a procedure specifically designed to visualize the airways and diagnose lung diseases by allowing doctors to examine the inside of the airways. Thoracentesis involves the removal of fluid from the pleural space around the lungs, not the airways. Pulmonary function tests assess how well the lungs work but do not visualize the airways directly. A chest X-ray provides an image of the lungs and surrounding structures but does not involve direct visualization of the airways.
2. The client on nitroglycerin complains of a headache. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
- A. Administer acetaminophen as prescribed for the headache.
- B. Hold the next dose of nitroglycerin.
- C. Discontinue the nitroglycerin immediately.
- D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct response is to administer acetaminophen as prescribed for the headache. Headaches are a common side effect of nitroglycerin due to vasodilation. Administering acetaminophen can help relieve the headache. Holding the next dose of nitroglycerin (Choice B) may not address the current headache, and discontinuing nitroglycerin immediately (Choice C) without healthcare provider guidance can be dangerous due to the potential for rebound hypertension. Notifying the healthcare provider immediately (Choice D) is not necessary for a common side effect like a headache, and the nurse can manage this symptom independently.
3. The client on furosemide (Lasix) is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
- A. Hyperkalemia
- B. Hypokalemia
- C. Hyponatremia
- D. Hypernatremia
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypokalemia. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can lead to potassium loss, resulting in hypokalemia. This electrolyte imbalance is a significant risk associated with diuretic use. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Hyperkalemia (choice A) is not typically associated with furosemide use. Hyponatremia (choice C) and hypernatremia (choice D) are related to sodium levels, not potassium levels affected by furosemide.
4. When administering an ACE inhibitor to a client with heart failure, what is the expected outcome of this medication?
- A. Decreased blood pressure
- B. Increased heart rate
- C. Increased cardiac output
- D. Decreased heart rate
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.
5. The client on warfarin has an INR of 1.2. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Increase the dose of warfarin
- B. Administer vitamin K
- C. Monitor for signs of bleeding
- D. Hold the next dose and notify the healthcare provider
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to increase the dose of warfarin. An INR of 1.2 is below the therapeutic range for a client on warfarin, indicating that the dose is subtherapeutic. The priority action in this situation is to adjust the dose to achieve the target therapeutic INR range (usually 2-3) to prevent thromboembolic events. Administering vitamin K is not necessary as the INR is low, and there are no signs of bleeding. Monitoring for signs of bleeding is important but not the priority in this case since the INR is subtherapeutic. Holding the next dose and notifying the healthcare provider would delay the intervention needed to adjust the dose and achieve the therapeutic range.
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