ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam
1. What is a condition where the right side of the heart fails due to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, often caused by chronic lung disease?
- A. Cor pulmonale
- B. Heart failure
- C. Pulmonary embolism
- D. Myocarditis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Cor pulmonale is the correct answer. It is a condition where the right side of the heart fails due to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, often caused by chronic lung disease such as COPD. Pulmonary embolism (choice C) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs. Myocarditis (choice D) is inflammation of the heart muscle. While heart failure (choice B) is a broad term that can involve the failure of either the right or left side of the heart.
2. The client is on spironolactone (Aldactone) and has a potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Hold the spironolactone and notify the healthcare provider.
- B. Administer potassium supplements.
- C. Continue the spironolactone as ordered.
- D. Increase the dose of spironolactone.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold the spironolactone and notify the healthcare provider. A potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L is high, indicating hyperkalemia. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can further increase potassium levels. Therefore, the priority action is to hold the medication to prevent exacerbating hyperkalemia and notify the healthcare provider for further guidance. Choice B is incorrect because administering potassium supplements would worsen hyperkalemia. Choice C is incorrect because continuing spironolactone could lead to a further increase in potassium levels. Choice D is incorrect because increasing the dose of spironolactone would exacerbate the hyperkalemia.
3. Which fibers distribute the electrical impulse to the ventricles, causing them to contract?
- A. Purkinje fibers
- B. SA node
- C. AV node
- D. Bundle of His
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Purkinje fibers. Purkinje fibers are specialized conducting fibers that distribute the electrical impulse to the ventricles, leading to their contraction. The SA node (sinoatrial node) is responsible for initiating the electrical impulse in the heart, the AV node (atrioventricular node) delays the impulse to allow for proper atrial contraction before ventricular contraction, and the Bundle of His transmits the impulse from the AV node to the ventricles. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are not the correct options for fibers directly distributing the impulse to the ventricles.
4. What is a condition where the heart's mitral valve does not close properly, causing blood to leak backward into the left atrium?
- A. Mitral valve prolapse
- B. Aortic stenosis
- C. Mitral stenosis
- D. Tricuspid regurgitation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Mitral valve prolapse is the correct answer. It occurs when the mitral valve does not close properly, leading to blood leaking backward into the left atrium. This condition can manifest with symptoms such as palpitations and chest pain. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because aortic stenosis involves narrowing of the aortic valve, mitral stenosis is the narrowing of the mitral valve, and tricuspid regurgitation is when blood leaks backward through the tricuspid valve.
5. What is the procedure where a small mesh tube is inserted into an artery to keep it open after angioplasty?
- A. Stent placement
- B. Bypass surgery
- C. Angioplasty
- D. Valve replacement
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, stent placement. Stent placement involves inserting a small mesh tube into an artery to maintain its openness after angioplasty. This choice is correct because it directly describes the procedure mentioned in the question. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Bypass surgery involves rerouting blood flow around a blocked artery using a vessel from another part of the body. Angioplasty is the procedure of widening a narrowed or blocked blood vessel, often followed by stent placement. Valve replacement is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged or diseased heart valve with an artificial or biological valve.
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