ATI RN
Physical Exam Cardiovascular System
1. What test measures the electrical activity of the heart to detect arrhythmias and other heart conditions?
- A. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- B. Chest X-ray
- C. Stress test
- D. Arterial blood gas (ABG)
Correct answer: A
Rationale: An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is used to measure the heart's electrical activity, aiding in the detection of arrhythmias and other heart conditions. Choice B, a chest X-ray, is not used to measure electrical activity but to visualize the structures of the chest. Choice C, a stress test, evaluates the heart's response to exertion and is not primarily focused on measuring electrical activity. Choice D, an arterial blood gas (ABG) test, is used to assess oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, not the heart's electrical activity.
2. This is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
- A. Heart failure
- B. Cardiomyopathy
- C. Myocarditis
- D. Pericarditis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic condition characterized by the heart's inability to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention. Choice B, Cardiomyopathy, refers to diseases of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure but is not the specific term for the condition described. Choices C and D, Myocarditis and Pericarditis, respectively, are conditions involving inflammation of the heart muscle or the lining around the heart, which can cause heart failure as a complication but are not the primary condition described in the question.
3. Which condition is characterized by a chronic cough that produces mucus, often caused by long-term exposure to irritants?
- A. Chronic bronchitis
- B. Tuberculosis
- C. Asthma
- D. Sinusitis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is the correct answer. It is characterized by a long-term cough with mucus production, often caused by smoking or prolonged exposure to irritants. Tuberculosis (choice B) is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but does not usually present with a chronic cough as the main symptom. Asthma (choice C) is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to wheezing and shortness of breath, but it does not typically cause chronic mucus production. Sinusitis (choice D) is inflammation of the sinuses and presents with symptoms like facial pain, nasal congestion, and post-nasal drip, but not specifically a chronic cough with mucus production.
4. What is a condition characterized by the presence of air or gas in the pleural space, leading to the collapse of the lung?
- A. Pneumothorax
- B. Pulmonary embolism
- C. Pleural effusion
- D. Atelectasis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Pneumothorax. Pneumothorax occurs when air or gas accumulates in the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse. This condition can result in symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty breathing. Pulmonary embolism (choice B) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, usually caused by a blood clot. Pleural effusion (choice C) is the accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural space, not air or gas. Atelectasis (choice D) refers to the collapse or closure of a lung resulting in reduced or absent gas exchange.
5. 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.
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