this is a condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively leading to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body
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Cardiovascular System Exam Questions

1. What is a condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, resulting in a buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body. Choice B, Cardiomyopathy, refers to diseases of the heart muscle, not specifically the inability to pump blood effectively. Choice C, Myocardial infarction, is a heart attack caused by a blocked blood supply to the heart muscle, not directly related to the heart's pumping efficiency. Choice D, Pulmonary edema, is a condition characterized by fluid accumulation in the lungs, often a consequence of heart failure but not the primary condition described in the question.

2. The nurse is caring for a client on warfarin with an INR of 5.2. What is the most appropriate action?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: An INR of 5.2 is elevated, indicating an increased risk of bleeding. Administering vitamin K can help reverse the effects of warfarin, which is the most appropriate action in this situation. Holding the next dose of warfarin is not enough to address the high INR, and increasing the dose would further elevate the INR level. Monitoring the INR closely is important, but in this case, immediate action is needed to counteract the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.

3. What is a condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is consistently too high, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is consistently too high. This increased pressure can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease and stroke. Hypotension (choice B) refers to low blood pressure, which is not the correct term in this context. Diabetes (choice C) and hyperlipidemia (choice D) are also serious conditions but are not specifically characterized by consistently high blood pressure.

4. The client on spironolactone (Aldactone) has a potassium level of 5.6 mEq/L. What is the nurse’s priority action?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold the spironolactone and notify the healthcare provider. A potassium level of 5.6 mEq/L is high, indicating hyperkalemia. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can further elevate potassium levels. Therefore, the priority action is to withhold the medication to prevent exacerbating hyperkalemia and notify the healthcare provider for further management. Option B is incorrect because administering potassium supplements would worsen the hyperkalemia. Option C is incorrect as continuing spironolactone can lead to a further increase in potassium levels. Option D is incorrect as increasing the dose of spironolactone would be inappropriate in the presence of elevated potassium levels.

5. The client on nitroglycerin patches reports dizziness when standing up. What is the nurse’s best response?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to advise the client to rise slowly to prevent dizziness. Dizziness when standing up can be a sign of orthostatic hypotension, a common side effect of nitroglycerin. Rising slowly can help minimize this symptom. Instructing the client to discontinue the nitroglycerin patches (Choice B) is not appropriate without consulting a healthcare provider as sudden discontinuation can lead to adverse effects. Encouraging the client to rest and avoid physical activity (Choice C) does not address the specific issue of orthostatic hypotension. Suggesting the client take an over-the-counter antiemetic (Choice D) is not indicated for dizziness related to orthostatic hypotension.

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