Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is administering a calcium channel blocker. What is the primary effect of this medication on the cardiovascular system?

• A. Decreases heart rate
• B. Increases heart rate
• C. Increases blood pressure
• D. Decreases blood pressure

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Decreases blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers primarily work by relaxing the blood vessels, leading to a decrease in blood pressure. Choice A, 'Decreases heart rate,' is incorrect because calcium channel blockers do not significantly affect heart rate. Choice B, 'Increases heart rate,' is incorrect as calcium channel blockers do not have a primary effect of increasing heart rate. Choice C, 'Increases blood pressure,' is incorrect as the primary effect of calcium channel blockers is to decrease blood pressure by vasodilation.

2. What is a condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow, making breathing difficult?

• A. Asthma
• B. Bronchitis
• C. Pleurisy
• D. Tuberculosis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Asthma is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by inflammation, narrowing, and swelling of the airways, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes; Pleurisy is inflammation of the tissues that line the lungs and chest cavity; Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs.

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. In cases of myocardial infarction leading to shock, which medication is appropriate to counteract shock?

• A. Atropine
• B. Dopamine
• C. Digoxin
• D. Adenosine

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In cases of myocardial infarction leading to shock, dopamine is the drug of choice. Dopamine helps increase blood pressure and improve blood flow to vital organs, making it beneficial in managing shock. Atropine is mainly used for symptomatic bradycardia, not for shock. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used in heart failure and atrial fibrillation, not for managing shock. Adenosine is typically used for diagnosing and treating supraventricular tachycardias, not for shock associated with myocardial infarction.

5. What is a condition where the blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked, often referred to as a mini-stroke?

• A. Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• B. Stroke
• C. Aneurysm
• D. Myocardial infarction

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is the correct answer. A TIA is often referred to as a mini-stroke because it is caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. This blockage resolves on its own, typically within minutes to hours, leading to temporary symptoms similar to a stroke. Option B, 'Stroke,' is incorrect because a stroke involves a more prolonged interruption of blood flow to the brain. Option C, 'Aneurysm,' is incorrect as it is a bulge in a blood vessel that can rupture and cause bleeding, not a temporary blockage of blood flow. Option D, 'Myocardial infarction,' is also incorrect as it refers to a heart attack, not a condition involving the brain's blood flow.

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