ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Practice Exam
1. 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.
2. The client is on nitroglycerin and reports chest pain. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Administer nitroglycerin as ordered.
- B. Administer morphine as ordered.
- C. Administer aspirin as ordered.
- D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Notify the healthcare provider immediately. If a client on nitroglycerin reports chest pain, the priority action is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is crucial to ensure prompt reassessment of the client's condition and treatment plan. Administering nitroglycerin, morphine, or aspirin without consulting the healthcare provider first can be risky as the chest pain may indicate a need for a change in treatment or further evaluation. Administering medications without proper assessment and guidance can lead to complications and is not recommended in this scenario.
3. 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.
4. The client on furosemide (Lasix) has a potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Administer a potassium supplement.
- B. Hold the furosemide and notify the healthcare provider.
- C. Continue the current dose of furosemide.
- D. Administer Digibind.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer a potassium supplement. A potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can lead to serious complications like cardiac dysrhythmias. Therefore, the priority action is to address the low potassium level by administering a potassium supplement. Holding the furosemide (Choice B) may be necessary in the long term to prevent further potassium loss, but the immediate need is to correct the low potassium level. Continuing the current dose of furosemide (Choice C) without addressing the low potassium level can worsen hypokalemia. Administering Digibind (Choice D) is not indicated for low potassium levels; Digibind is used to treat digoxin toxicity.
5. The client is receiving digoxin and has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider.
- B. Increase the dose of digoxin.
- C. Continue the current dose of digoxin.
- D. Administer potassium supplements.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider. A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Holding the medication and informing the healthcare provider is crucial to prevent adverse effects. Choice B is incorrect because increasing the dose of digoxin would further raise the risk of toxicity. Choice C is incorrect as continuing the current dose could exacerbate the toxicity risk. Choice D is incorrect because administering potassium supplements alone is not sufficient to address the potential digoxin toxicity; the first step should be to hold the digoxin and seek further guidance.
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