Nursing Elites

1. This is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

• A. Heart failure
• B. Cardiomyopathy
• C. Myocarditis
• D. Pericarditis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic condition characterized by the heart's inability to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention. Choice B, Cardiomyopathy, refers to diseases of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure but is not the specific term for the condition described. Choices C and D, Myocarditis and Pericarditis, respectively, are conditions involving inflammation of the heart muscle or the lining around the heart, which can cause heart failure as a complication but are not the primary condition described in the question.

2. What is a condition where the walls of the arteries become thickened and stiff, often due to the buildup of plaque, leading to reduced blood flow?

• A. Atherosclerosis
• B. Angina
• C. Hypertension
• D. Arrhythmia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Atherosclerosis is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by the thickening and stiffening of artery walls due to plaque buildup, which restricts blood flow. Angina (choice B) is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Hypertension (choice C) is high blood pressure, not directly related to arterial wall thickening. Arrhythmia (choice D) refers to irregular heart rhythms and is not specifically linked to artery wall changes like atherosclerosis.

3. Which neurotransmitter is released by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to increase heart rate and the force of contraction of the heart?

• A. Norepinephrine
• B. Epinephrine
• C. Dopamine
• D. Acetylcholine

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is the neurotransmitter released by the sympathetic nervous system that increases heart rate and the force of contraction. Epinephrine, though similar, is more involved in the fight-or-flight response and has a broader range of effects on various organs. Dopamine is not primarily responsible for increasing heart rate and contractility. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that predominantly acts on the parasympathetic nervous system to decrease heart rate and contractility.

4. Which order should the nurse question?

• A. The addition of a loop diuretic with digoxin.
• B. The addition of a beta blocker with digoxin.
• C. A digoxin dose of 0.125 mg per day.
• D. The addition of an ACE inhibitor with digoxin.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because adding a beta blocker to digoxin can potentiate the bradycardic effect of digoxin, leading to serious complications such as heart block. This combination requires caution as it can significantly slow down the heart rate. Choices A, C, and D are not the best options to question in this scenario. Loop diuretics are commonly used with digoxin, a digoxin dose of 0.125 mg per day is within the typical range, and ACE inhibitors are often prescribed alongside digoxin for managing heart conditions.

5. What is this surgical procedure that restores blood flow to the heart by diverting blood around a blocked artery?

• A. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
• B. Angioplasty
• C. Stent placement
• D. Valve replacement

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), which is a surgical procedure to improve blood flow to the heart by redirecting blood around blocked or narrowed arteries. This procedure is specifically designed to bypass blocked coronary arteries, allowing blood to flow more freely to the heart muscle. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because angioplasty involves opening up narrowed or blocked blood vessels, stent placement involves inserting a mesh tube to keep arteries open, and valve replacement involves replacing a damaged heart valve - none of which directly address diverting blood flow around a blocked artery.

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