ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions Pdf
1. What is a condition where the heart is unable to relax properly between beats, reducing its ability to fill with blood?
- A. Diastolic heart failure
- B. Systolic heart failure
- C. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- D. Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Diastolic heart failure. In diastolic heart failure, the heart is unable to relax properly between beats, leading to a reduced ability to fill with blood. This condition primarily affects the heart's filling function rather than its pumping function, which is characteristic of systolic heart failure (choice B). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (choice C) involves the abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, while restrictive cardiomyopathy (choice D) is characterized by the heart muscle becoming stiff and less compliant. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect in the context of a heart condition where relaxation between beats is impaired.
2. What diagnostic procedure uses sound waves to create images of the heart and assess its structure and function?
- A. Echocardiogram
- B. MRI
- C. CT scan
- D. X-ray
Correct answer: A
Rationale: An echocardiogram is the correct answer because it is a diagnostic procedure that uses sound waves to create images of the heart, enabling doctors to assess its structure and function. This imaging technique is specifically designed for cardiac assessment. MRI (Choice B), CT scan (Choice C), and X-ray (Choice D) are imaging modalities that are not primarily used for detailed evaluation of the heart's structure and function, making them incorrect choices for this question.
3. What is a type of heart disease that involves the thickening or stiffening of the heart muscle, reducing its ability to pump blood?
- A. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- B. Dilated cardiomyopathy
- C. Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- D. Arrhythmia
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a type of heart disease characterized by the thickening or stiffening of the heart muscle, leading to a reduced ability to pump blood. This condition is different from dilated cardiomyopathy (choice B), which involves the enlargement and weakening of the heart chambers. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (choice C) is characterized by the stiffening of the heart muscle, affecting its ability to fill with blood properly. Arrhythmia (choice D) refers to abnormal heart rhythms and is not specifically related to thickening or stiffening of the heart muscle, as seen in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
4. Which of the following is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by the irreversible obstruction of airflow?
- A. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- B. Asthma
- C. Pulmonary edema
- D. Bronchiectasis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a chronic respiratory disease where the airflow in the lungs becomes obstructed, making it difficult to breathe. Choice B, Asthma, is a different chronic respiratory condition characterized by reversible airflow obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness. Choice C, Pulmonary edema, is a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs, leading to difficulty in breathing but not irreversible airflow obstruction. Choice D, Bronchiectasis, is a condition characterized by abnormal widening of the bronchial tubes, leading to recurrent respiratory infections, but it is not specifically defined by irreversible airflow obstruction.
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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