ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions
1. Which type of heart disease involves the stiffening of the heart muscle, reducing its ability to relax and fill with blood?
- A. Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- B. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- C. Dilated cardiomyopathy
- D. Ventricular hypertrophy
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, restrictive cardiomyopathy. This condition specifically involves the stiffening of the heart muscle, leading to a reduced ability to relax and fill with blood between beats. Choice B, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, not stiffening. Choice C, dilated cardiomyopathy, involves the enlargement and weakening of the heart chambers, not stiffening. Choice D, ventricular hypertrophy, refers to the thickening of the walls of the heart's pumping chambers but does not specifically involve the stiffening that is characteristic of restrictive cardiomyopathy.
2. Which condition is characterized by an inability to effectively pump blood, leading to fluid buildup and swelling in the body?
- A. Heart failure
- B. Cardiomyopathy
- C. Angina
- D. Myocarditis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Heart failure is the correct answer. It is a condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, resulting in fluid accumulation and swelling in the body. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that affects its ability to pump blood but is not the specific condition described in the question. Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, not directly related to fluid buildup and swelling. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle and does not necessarily involve the inability to pump blood effectively.
3. 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.
4. The healthcare provider is preparing to administer heparin to a client. What lab value should be monitored?
- A. PT/INR
- B. aPTT
- C. Platelet count
- D. Hemoglobin
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct lab value that should be monitored when administering heparin is the aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time). Heparin affects the intrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade, and aPTT is a sensitive measure to assess the effectiveness of heparin therapy. Monitoring aPTT helps in adjusting the heparin dose to maintain the desired anticoagulant effect. PT/INR is more specific to monitor warfarin therapy, not heparin. Platelet count and hemoglobin levels are important parameters to assess bleeding tendencies and oxygen-carrying capacity but are not directly related to monitoring heparin therapy.
5. 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.
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