Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. The client is on a nitrate for angina. What is the most common side effect the nurse should monitor for?

• A. Headache
• B. Flushing
• C. Dizziness
• D. Nausea

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Headache. Nitrates commonly cause headaches as a side effect due to vasodilation. Flushing, dizziness, and nausea are less common side effects associated with nitrates. Flushing is more related to the dilation of blood vessels closer to the skin's surface, dizziness could occur but is not as common as headaches, and nausea is a less typical side effect of nitrates.

3. What is a condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow, making breathing difficult?

• A. Asthma
• B. Bronchitis
• C. Pleurisy
• D. Tuberculosis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Asthma is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by inflammation, narrowing, and swelling of the airways, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes; Pleurisy is inflammation of the tissues that line the lungs and chest cavity; Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs.

4. The client is given an alpha agonist. What might it be used for?

• A. For hemostasis
• B. To dilate the arteries
• C. To dilate the veins
• D. To decrease afterload

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Alpha agonists are used for hemostasis to help control bleeding by constricting blood vessels, leading to decreased blood flow to the area. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as alpha agonists do not typically dilate arteries, dilate veins, or decrease afterload.

5. Which condition is characterized by the narrowing or blockage of arteries that supply blood to the heart by plaque?

• A. Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• B. Atherosclerosis
• C. Peripheral artery disease
• D. Congestive heart failure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD specifically refers to the condition where the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup. Choice B, Atherosclerosis, is a general term for the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup but does not specifically mention the heart. Choice C, Peripheral artery disease, involves narrowing of arteries that supply blood to areas other than the heart. Choice D, Congestive heart failure, is a condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively but is not primarily caused by narrowed or blocked arteries.

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