Nursing Elites

1. What procedure involves using a catheter to create a small scar in the heart tissue to block abnormal electrical signals and restore normal heart rhythm?

• A. Catheter ablation
• B. Angioplasty
• C. Stent placement
• D. Valve replacement

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Catheter ablation is the correct answer. During catheter ablation, a catheter is used to create a small scar in the heart tissue to block abnormal electrical signals, thereby restoring a normal heart rhythm. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because angioplasty is a procedure to widen narrowed or obstructed arteries, stent placement involves inserting a mesh tube to support a weak artery, and valve replacement is the surgical procedure of replacing a heart valve, none of which match the description provided in the question.

2. What procedure is used to remove fluid from the pleural space to help a patient breathe more easily?

• A. Thoracentesis
• B. Bronchoscopy
• C. Echocardiogram
• D. CT scan

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Thoracentesis is the correct answer. It is a procedure where a needle is inserted into the pleural space to drain fluid, relieving pressure and helping the patient breathe more easily. Bronchoscopy (choice B) is a procedure used to examine the airways, not to drain fluid. An echocardiogram (choice C) is an imaging test to assess the heart's structure and function, not related to draining pleural fluid. A CT scan (choice D) is a cross-sectional imaging test that provides detailed pictures of the inside of the body, not used for draining pleural fluid.

3. What procedure uses a balloon to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the heart?

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

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Angioplasty. Angioplasty is a procedure that involves using a balloon to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the heart, thereby improving blood flow. This choice is correct because it directly matches the description provided in the question. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they involve different procedures: Bypass graft is a surgical procedure to redirect blood flow, stent placement involves inserting a mesh tube to keep an artery open, and valve replacement is the surgical replacement of a heart valve.

4. Which structure serves as the normal pacemaker of the heart?

• A. SA node
• B. AV node
• C. Purkinje fibers
• D. Atria

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the SA node. The sinoatrial (SA) node is known as the natural pacemaker of the heart as it generates electrical impulses initiating each heartbeat. The SA node is located in the right atrium and sets the rhythm and rate of the heartbeat. The AV node (choice B) is responsible for delaying the electrical impulse to allow the atria to contract before the ventricles. Purkinje fibers (choice C) are specialized cardiac fibers responsible for the rapid conduction of impulses to the myocardial cells, and the atria (choice D) are the upper chambers of the heart involved in receiving blood from the veins.

5. The nurse is caring for a client on digoxin with a heart rate of 48 bpm. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• A. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider.
• B. Administer the digoxin as ordered.
• C. Administer atropine to increase the heart rate.
• D. Increase the dose of digoxin.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse's priority action should be to hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider. A heart rate of 48 bpm is low, and digoxin, being a medication that can further decrease the heart rate, should be withheld. Administering the digoxin as ordered (Choice B) would not be appropriate in this situation as it can exacerbate bradycardia. Atropine (Choice C) is not the initial treatment for this scenario; holding the digoxin is the first action. Increasing the dose of digoxin (Choice D) would be contraindicated due to the client's bradycardia. Therefore, the correct action is to hold the digoxin and inform the healthcare provider for further guidance.

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