ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions And Answers
1. The client on nitroglycerin complains of a headache. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
- A. Administer acetaminophen as prescribed for the headache.
- B. Hold the next dose of nitroglycerin.
- C. Discontinue the nitroglycerin immediately.
- D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct response is to administer acetaminophen as prescribed for the headache. Headaches are a common side effect of nitroglycerin due to vasodilation. Administering acetaminophen can help relieve the headache. Holding the next dose of nitroglycerin (Choice B) may not address the current headache, and discontinuing nitroglycerin immediately (Choice C) without healthcare provider guidance can be dangerous due to the potential for rebound hypertension. Notifying the healthcare provider immediately (Choice D) is not necessary for a common side effect like a headache, and the nurse can manage this symptom independently.
2. Which valve prevents backflow of blood into the left ventricle from the aorta?
- A. Aortic valve
- B. Mitral valve
- C. Tricuspid valve
- D. Pulmonary valve
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Aortic valve. The aortic valve is positioned between the left ventricle and the aorta. It prevents blood from flowing back into the left ventricle after it has been pumped into the aorta. The mitral valve (Choice B) is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle, the tricuspid valve (Choice C) is between the right atrium and right ventricle, and the pulmonary valve (Choice D) is situated between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Therefore, they are not responsible for preventing backflow from the aorta into the left ventricle.
3. Which valve opens during ventricular systole and closes during ventricular diastole?
- A. Aortic valve
- B. Pulmonary valve
- C. Mitral valve
- D. Tricuspid valve
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pulmonary valve. The pulmonary valve opens during ventricular systole to allow blood to flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. The aortic valve opens during ventricular systole to allow blood to flow from the left ventricle into the aorta. The mitral valve and tricuspid valve are atrioventricular valves that open during ventricular diastole to allow blood to flow from the atria into the ventricles.
4. What test measures the electrical activity of the heart and can detect heart rhythm problems?
- A. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- B. Chest X-ray
- C. MRI
- D. CT scan
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). An electrocardiogram is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart and can detect irregularities in heart rhythm. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because a chest X-ray, MRI, and CT scan do not specifically measure the electrical activity of the heart or detect heart rhythm problems.
5. What is a condition where the lung's alveoli are permanently enlarged and damaged, leading to shortness of breath?
- A. Emphysema
- B. Bronchitis
- C. Atelectasis
- D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Emphysema is the correct answer. It is a chronic lung condition characterized by the permanent enlargement and damage of the alveoli, leading to shortness of breath and impaired oxygen exchange. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, not specifically related to alveolar damage. Atelectasis is the collapse of lung tissue, not enlargement. Pulmonary fibrosis involves scarring and thickening of lung tissue, different from the alveolar damage seen in emphysema.
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