the nurse is administering nitroglycerin iv to a client with chest pain what is the most important parameter to monitor
Logo

Nursing Elites

ATI RN

Cardiovascular System Exam Questions Pdf

1. The nurse is administering nitroglycerin IV to a client with chest pain. What is the most important parameter to monitor?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood pressure. When administering nitroglycerin IV to a client with chest pain, monitoring blood pressure is crucial as nitroglycerin can cause significant hypotension. While heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate are important parameters to assess, blood pressure takes precedence in this scenario due to the potential hypotensive effects of nitroglycerin.

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

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.

3. Which condition involves the heart muscle becoming abnormally thickened, reducing its ability to pump blood?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In this condition, the heart muscle thickens, leading to a decreased ability to pump blood effectively. Choice B, Dilated cardiomyopathy, is characterized by the heart chambers enlarging and weakening. Choice C, Restrictive cardiomyopathy, involves the heart muscle becoming rigid and less compliant. Choice D, Ischemic cardiomyopathy, is when the heart muscle is weakened due to reduced blood flow.

4. The nurse is administering digoxin to a client. What is the most important parameter to check before administration?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Heart rate. Before administering digoxin, it is crucial to check the client's heart rate because digoxin can cause bradycardia, making it essential to ensure the heart rate is within the appropriate range. Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are also important parameters to monitor in a clinical setting, but when administering digoxin, the focus should primarily be on the heart rate due to its potential effects on cardiac function.

5. Which test measures how well the lungs work by assessing the amount of air the lungs can hold and how quickly air can be exhaled?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Spirometry. Spirometry is a pulmonary function test that evaluates lung function by measuring the amount of air a person can exhale and how quickly, assisting in the diagnosis of conditions such as asthma and COPD. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation in the blood, Arterial blood gas (ABG) evaluates blood pH, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels, and a Chest X-ray provides an image of the lungs but does not measure lung function.

Similar Questions

When monitoring a client on dobutamine, what is the most important parameter to assess?
What type of stroke is caused by a blockage in an artery supplying blood to the brain?
Which valve prevents backflow of blood into the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery?
Which condition is caused by a bacterium that primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body?
A client on a beta blocker has a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg. What is the nurse’s priority action?

Access More Features

ATI RN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

ATI RN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

Other Courses