ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions And Answers
1. The nurse is caring for a client on amiodarone who complains of visual disturbances. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- B. Reassure the client that this is a common side effect.
- C. Advise the client to monitor their symptoms at home.
- D. Suggest the client reduce physical activity.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. Visual disturbances in a client taking amiodarone can indicate amiodarone toxicity, a serious side effect. Notifying the healthcare provider promptly is essential for further assessment and management. Reassuring the client that this is a common side effect (choice B) is incorrect as visual disturbances should not be dismissed without evaluation. Advising the client to monitor their symptoms at home (choice C) may delay necessary intervention. Suggesting the client reduce physical activity (choice D) is unrelated to addressing visual disturbances caused by amiodarone.
2. The nurse is caring for a client on enalapril (Vasotec). What is the most important side effect to monitor?
- A. Cough
- B. Hyperkalemia
- C. Hypotension
- D. Dizziness
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cough. Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor, and cough is a common side effect associated with this class of medication. Monitoring for cough is crucial as it can indicate the development of a potentially serious condition known as angioedema. Hyperkalemia (choice B) is a possible side effect of ACE inhibitors but is not the most important side effect to monitor. Hypotension (choice C) and dizziness (choice D) are also potential side effects of enalapril; however, cough takes precedence due to its association with angioedema, a severe adverse reaction.
3. A client on an ACE inhibitor reports a persistent cough. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. Reassure the client that the cough is a common side effect and is usually not serious.
- B. Instruct the client to report the cough to the healthcare provider as it may require discontinuation of the medication.
- C. Advise the client to use a humidifier at night to relieve the cough.
- D. Suggest the client take an over-the-counter cough suppressant.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. A persistent cough in a client on an ACE inhibitor may indicate a serious side effect that requires discontinuation of the medication. Instructing the client to report the cough to the healthcare provider is essential for proper evaluation and management. Choice A is incorrect because simply reassuring the client may delay necessary action. Choice C is incorrect as using a humidifier may not address the underlying cause of the cough. Choice D is incorrect because taking a cough suppressant without healthcare provider guidance may mask symptoms without addressing the cause.
4. Which term refers to the ability of the heart to initiate impulses repetitively and spontaneously?
- A. Contractility
- B. Excitability
- C. Automaticity
- D. Rhythmicity
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Automaticity. Automaticity is the specific term used to describe the heart's ability to generate impulses repetitively and spontaneously. Contractility (A) refers to the ability of muscle fibers to contract, not the initiation of impulses. Excitability (B) is the ability of cells to respond to stimuli but is not specific to the heart's impulse generation. Rhythmicity (D) is a related term but does not specifically describe the heart's spontaneous impulse initiation.
5. What type of imaging test uses X-rays to visualize the blood vessels after injecting them with a contrast dye?
- A. Angiography
- B. CT scan
- C. MRI
- D. Ultrasound
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Angiography is the correct answer because it is an imaging test that specifically uses X-rays to visualize blood vessels by injecting them with a contrast dye. This procedure is crucial for diagnosing conditions such as blockages or aneurysms. The other options, CT scan, MRI, and ultrasound, do not involve the use of contrast dye to visualize blood vessels with X-rays.
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