this is the ability of cardiac cells to respond to an impulse by transmitting the impulse along cell membranes
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

Cardiovascular System Practice Exam

1. What is the ability of cardiac cells to respond to an impulse by transmitting the impulse along cell membranes?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Conductivity. Conductivity refers to the ability of cardiac cells to transmit impulses along cell membranes. Contractility (Choice A) is the ability of cardiac cells to contract in response to an electrical stimulus, not transmit impulses. Automaticity (Choice B) is the ability of cardiac cells to spontaneously generate electrical impulses. Rhythmicity (Choice D) refers to the regular generation of electrical impulses by the heart's pacemaker cells, not the transmission of impulses along cell membranes.

2. The nurse is giving a client an IV bolus of heparin. What is the most important nursing action?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When administering an IV bolus of heparin, the most important nursing action is to monitor the client's heart rate. Heparin can cause bradycardia as a side effect, making it crucial to assess the heart rate for any abnormalities. Checking the blood pressure (Choice B) is important but not as critical as monitoring the heart rate. While checking for signs of bleeding (Choice C) is essential, it is not the most crucial action when administering heparin. Monitoring the respiratory rate (Choice D) is also important but not as directly related to the potential side effects of heparin as monitoring the heart rate.

3. What is the primary effect of a calcium channel blocker on the heart?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Decreases blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers primarily work by relaxing blood vessels, leading to a decrease in blood pressure. While these medications can have secondary effects on the heart, such as reducing the workload of the heart muscle, the primary effect related to blood pressure regulation. Therefore, choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not reflect the primary action of calcium channel blockers on the heart.

4. The nurse is caring for a client on amiodarone who develops a cough. What is the most appropriate action?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action when a client on amiodarone develops a cough, which can be a sign of pulmonary toxicity, a serious side effect of amiodarone, is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is crucial because pulmonary toxicity can lead to severe complications if not addressed promptly. Choices B and C are incorrect as they do not address the potential severity of the situation and may delay necessary intervention. Choice D of discontinuing amiodarone immediately without consulting the healthcare provider can be risky, as sudden discontinuation of the medication may have adverse effects on the client's condition.

5. The nurse is administering a beta blocker to a client with a heart rate of 58 bpm. What is the nurse’s priority action?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. A heart rate of 58 bpm is considered low, and beta blockers can further decrease the heart rate. Therefore, the nurse's priority action should be to hold the beta blocker and notify the healthcare provider for further assessment. Choice A is incorrect because administering the beta blocker without considering the low heart rate can worsen the condition. Choice C is incorrect as increasing the dose of the beta blocker can lead to further slowing of the heart rate, which is not safe in this situation. Choice D is not the priority action; holding the medication and seeking guidance from the healthcare provider is more crucial.

Similar Questions

What type of heart disease is characterized by the heart muscle becoming enlarged and weakened, reducing its ability to pump blood effectively?
What is a condition characterized by an abnormal buildup of fluid between the layers of tissue lining the lungs and chest cavity?
The nurse is caring for a client on heparin. What is the most important lab value to monitor?
Which term refers to high blood pressure, a condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high?
The client has a prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin. What is the nurse's instruction for how to take this medication during an episode of chest pain?

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