ATI RN
Physical Exam Cardiovascular System
1. What is the term for a blood clot blocking an artery in the lungs, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain?
- A. Pulmonary embolism
- B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- C. Myocardial infarction
- D. Pneumothorax
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks an artery, causing symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain. Choice B, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), involves a blood clot forming in a deep vein, usually in the legs. Choice C, myocardial infarction, refers to a heart attack due to blocked blood flow to the heart muscle. Choice D, pneumothorax, is a collapsed lung due to air leaking into the chest cavity.
2. The client is on enalapril (Vasotec) for hypertension. What side effect is most commonly associated with this medication?
- A. Dry cough
- B. Hypotension
- C. Hyperkalemia
- D. Headache
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dry cough. A dry cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors like enalapril. ACE inhibitors can cause the accumulation of bradykinin, leading to irritation of the respiratory tract and resulting in a persistent dry cough. Hypotension (choice B) is a possible side effect of ACE inhibitors but is less common than a dry cough. Hyperkalemia (choice C) is another side effect of ACE inhibitors, but it is not the most commonly associated one. Headache (choice D) is not a common side effect of enalapril compared to a dry cough. Therefore, the most commonly associated side effect with enalapril is a dry cough.
3. Which condition involves the tearing of the aorta, leading to severe pain and internal bleeding?
- A. Aortic dissection
- B. Aneurysm
- C. Stroke
- D. Myocardial infarction
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Aortic dissection. Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition where the inner layer of the aorta tears, causing severe chest or back pain and internal bleeding, requiring immediate medical attention. Choice B, aneurysm, involves a bulging or weakening of a blood vessel wall, which is different from a tear in the aorta. Choices C and D, stroke and myocardial infarction, do not directly involve the tearing of the aorta and are distinct conditions.
4. What is a condition where the heart muscle becomes thickened without an obvious cause, leading to a reduction in the heart's ability to pump blood?
- A. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- B. Dilated cardiomyopathy
- C. Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- D. Myocarditis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by the abnormal thickening of the heart muscle without an obvious cause, which impairs the heart's ability to effectively pump blood. Dilated cardiomyopathy (choice B) involves the enlargement and weakening of the heart chambers, not thickening. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (choice C) refers to the stiffening of the heart muscle, limiting its ability to fill properly. Myocarditis (choice D) is inflammation of the heart muscle usually caused by a viral infection, not thickening.
5. Which term conceptualizes that the greater the myocardial fiber stretch, within physiologic limits, the more forceful the ventricular contraction, thereby increasing stroke volume?
- A. Frank-Starling’s Law
- B. Automaticity
- C. Contractility
- D. Excitability
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Frank-Starling’s Law. This law explains that within physiologic limits, the greater the stretch of myocardial fibers, the more forceful the ventricular contraction, leading to an increased stroke volume. Choice B, Automaticity, refers to the ability of cardiac cells to spontaneously generate electrical impulses. Choice C, Contractility, represents the intrinsic ability of the heart muscle to contract. Choice D, Excitability, refers to the ability of cardiac cells to respond to electrical stimuli.
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