ATI RN
Physical Exam Cardiovascular System
1. What test evaluates the heart's response to physical stress, often involving exercise on a treadmill while monitoring the heart?
- A. Stress test
- B. Echocardiogram
- C. Holter monitor
- D. CT angiography
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A stress test, also known as an exercise stress test, evaluates the heart's response to physical stress by monitoring its activity during exercise, typically on a treadmill. This test helps assess the heart's performance, detect coronary artery disease, and evaluate the effectiveness of heart treatments. Echocardiogram (choice B) is an ultrasound of the heart that provides detailed images of the heart's structure and function, but it does not involve physical stress like a stress test. Holter monitor (choice C) is a device for continuously monitoring the heart's rhythm and rate over a period (usually 24-48 hours), not during exercise. CT angiography (choice D) is a diagnostic test that uses X-rays to visualize blood vessels but does not involve physical stress like a stress test.
2. This test measures the amount of blood the heart pumps with each beat, often used to assess heart function.
- A. Ejection fraction
- B. Cardiac output
- C. Stroke volume
- D. End-diastolic volume
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ejection fraction. Ejection fraction is a measure of the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the left ventricle with each beat, used to assess heart function. Choice B, Cardiac output, is the total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute and is not specific to each beat. Choice C, Stroke volume, is the amount of blood ejected by the heart in one contraction but does not specify the percentage of blood pumped out. Choice D, End-diastolic volume, is the volume of blood in the ventricle just before it contracts and does not directly measure the blood pumped with each beat.
3. The nurse is caring for a client on amiodarone who complains of visual disturbances. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- B. Reassure the client that this is a common side effect.
- C. Advise the client to monitor their symptoms at home.
- D. Suggest the client reduce physical activity.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. Visual disturbances in a client taking amiodarone can indicate amiodarone toxicity, a serious side effect. Notifying the healthcare provider promptly is essential for further assessment and management. Reassuring the client that this is a common side effect (choice B) is incorrect as visual disturbances should not be dismissed without evaluation. Advising the client to monitor their symptoms at home (choice C) may delay necessary intervention. Suggesting the client reduce physical activity (choice D) is unrelated to addressing visual disturbances caused by amiodarone.
4. Which of the following is a type of heart attack that occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped?
- A. Myocardial infarction
- B. Angina
- C. Stroke
- D. Congestive heart failure
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped, leading to tissue damage or death. Angina (choice B) is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. Stroke (choice C) is a condition where the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced. Congestive heart failure (choice D) is a chronic condition where the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should.
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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