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Cardiovascular System Exam Questions And Answers
1. Which term refers to the relaxation phase of the heart, during which the chambers fill with blood?
- A. Diastole
- B. Systole
- C. Refractoriness
- D. Automaticity
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Diastole. Diastole is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscles relax, allowing the chambers to fill with blood. Choice B, Systole, is incorrect as systole is the contraction phase of the heart when blood is pumped out of the chambers. Choice C, Refractoriness, refers to a period during which the heart muscle is unresponsive to stimuli. Choice D, Automaticity, relates to the heart's ability to generate its own electrical impulses.
2. What term describes a condition where a person experiences difficulty breathing when lying flat and requires multiple pillows to sleep comfortably?
- A. Orthopnea
- B. Dyspnea
- C. Tachypnea
- D. Bradypnea
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Orthopnea. Orthopnea is a condition where a person finds it hard to breathe while lying flat and needs to use multiple pillows to sleep comfortably. This position helps relieve the discomfort by allowing better lung expansion. Choice B, Dyspnea, refers to difficulty breathing in general, not specifically related to lying flat. Choice C, Tachypnea, is rapid breathing and is not directly related to difficulty breathing while lying down. Choice D, Bradypnea, is slow breathing and does not describe the condition of having trouble breathing when lying flat.
3. 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?
- A. Take one tablet every 5 minutes, up to three tablets.
- B. Take one tablet every hour until the pain subsides.
- C. Take two tablets immediately if chest pain occurs.
- D. Take one tablet with a full glass of water.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The standard instruction for sublingual nitroglycerin during an episode of chest pain is to take one tablet every 5 minutes, up to three tablets. If the pain persists after taking three tablets, the client should seek emergency help. Choice B is incorrect because taking one tablet every hour is not the appropriate dosing for acute chest pain. Choice C is incorrect as taking two tablets immediately is not in line with the recommended dosing instructions. Choice D is incorrect because sublingual nitroglycerin should be placed under the tongue, not swallowed with water.
4. What is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs, and can lead to serious complications if it travels to the lungs?
- A. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- B. Pulmonary embolism
- C. Varicose veins
- D. Raynaud's disease
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. If the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs, it can lead to a serious condition called a pulmonary embolism. Choice B, pulmonary embolism, is incorrect as it is the consequence of a DVT clot traveling to the lungs, not the initial condition. Choices C and D, varicose veins, and Raynaud's disease, respectively, are unrelated conditions to the formation of blood clots in deep veins.
5. The nurse is caring for a client on digoxin. What is the most important assessment before administering this medication?
- A. Check the client’s heart rate.
- B. Check the client’s blood pressure.
- C. Check the client’s respiratory rate.
- D. Check the client’s oxygen saturation.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to check the client’s heart rate before administering digoxin because one of the side effects of digoxin is bradycardia. Monitoring the heart rate is crucial to assess whether the client's heart rate is within the acceptable range before giving the medication. Checking the blood pressure (Choice B), respiratory rate (Choice C), or oxygen saturation (Choice D) are important assessments in general patient care, but they are not specifically related to the administration of digoxin.
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