Cardiovascular Practice Questions

Question 1

When hypokalemia is suspected, which diagnosis test will the nurse use to confirm the diagnosis?

Answer 1

Serum potassium level
Normal level=3.5-5.0

Question 2

What object would the nurse teach the client with a newly implanted pacemaker to avoid?

Answer 2

A strong magnet

Question 3

Which part of the ECG represents depolarization of the ventricles?

Answer 3

QRS interval

P wave=depolarization of atria
T wave=ventricular repolarization
PR interval=depolarization of the atria of the atrioventricular node

P wave-QRS complex-T wave

Question 4

A client with type 1 DM asks what causes several brown spots on the skin. What would be the best response by the nurse?

Answer 4

Those brown spots result from small blood vessel damage; the blood contains iron, which leaves a brown spot

Question 5

When teaching a client with atrial fibrillation about a new prescription for warfarin, the nurse will include information about which vitamin?

Answer 5

Vitamin K
Warfarin causes inhibition of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors

Question 6

How would anxiety affect the outcomes for a client with heart failure?

Answer 6

Increases the cardiac workload

Question 7

Which group of client would the nurse anticipate to have the highest incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphomas?

Answer 7

Older adults

Question 8

A hospitalized patient has been dx with heart failure as a complication of hypertension. In explaining the disease process to the client, the nurse identifies which chamber of the heart as primarily responsible for the symptoms?

A. Left atrium
B. Right atrium
C. Left ventricle
D. Right ventricle

Answer 8

C. Left ventricle

Rationale:
HTN increases workload of the LV because the ventricle has to pump the stroke volume against increased resistance (after load) in the major blood vessels.
*discuss blood flow through the heart

Question 9

A client is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization using an iodine agent. Which assessment is most critical before the procedure?

A. Intake and output
B. Height and weight
C. Baseline peripheral pulse rates
D. Previous allergy to contrast agents

Answer 9

D. Previous allergy to contrast agents

Question 10

A client is admitted to the hospital with chest pain and a hx of type 2 DM is scheduled for cardiac catheterization. Which medication would need to be withheld for 24 hours before the procedure and 48 hours after?

A. Glipizide
B. Metformin
C. Rapaglinide
D. Regular insulin

Answer 10

B. Metformin

Affects kidney function = risk for AKI

Question 11

The nurse is planning care for a client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the right leg. Which interventions would the nurse anticipate the physician to most likely prescribe? SATA

A. Strict bed rest
B. Elevation of the right leg
C. Administration of acetaminophen
D. Application of moist heat to right leg
E. Monitoring for signs of pulm embolism

Answer 11

B. Elevation of right leg
C. Administration of acetaminophen
D. Application of heat
E. Monitoring for PE

Question 12

The new RN is reviewing cardiac rhythms with a mentor. Which statement by the new RN indicates that teaching about ventricular fibrillation has been EFFECTIVE?

A. “Vfib appears as irregular beats within a rhythm”
B. “Vfib does not have P waves or QRS complexes”
C. “Vfib is a regular pattern of wide QRS complexes”
D. “Vfib has recognizable P waves, QRS complexes, and T waves”

Answer 12

B. “Vfib does not have P waves or QRS complexes”

Question 13

A client has developed uncontrolled atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate of 150 beats/min. What manifestation should the nurse observe for when performing the client’s focused assessment?

A. Flat neck veins
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Hypotension and dizziness
D. Clubbed fingertips and headache

Answer 13

C. Hypotension and dizziness

The client with uncontrolled afib with ventricular rate greater than 100 beats/min is at risk for low cardiac output due to loss of atrial kick

Question 14

A client complained of calf tenderness, and thrombophlebitis is suspected. The nurse should next assess the client for which finding?

A. Bilateral edema
B. Increased calf circumference
C. Diminished distal peripheral pulses
D. Coolness and pallor of the affected limb

Answer 14

B. Increased calf circumference

Question 15

The nurse is caring for a client with cardiac disease who has been placed on a cardiac monitor. The nurse notes that the client has developed afib and has a rapid ventricular rate of 150 beats/min. The nurse should assess the client for which finding?

A. Hypotension
B. Flat neck veins
C. Complaints of nausea
D. Complaints of headache

Answer 15

A. Hypotension

Question 16

The nurse is reviewing an ECG rhythm strip. The P waves and QRS complexes are regular. The PR interval is 0.16 seconds, and the QRS complexes measure 0.06 seconds. The overall HR is 64. Which action should the nurse take?

A. Check VS
B. Check lab test results
C. Monitor for any rhythm change
D. Notify the primary health care provider

Answer 16

C. Monitor for any rhythm change

All findings are within range
HR = 60-100
PR wave = 0.12-0.20
QRS = 0.4-0.10

Question 17

The nurse is assessing a clients legs for the presence of edema. The nurse notes that the client has mild pitting with slight indentation and perceptible swelling of the leg. How should the nurse define and document this finding?

A. 1+ edema
B. 2+ edema
C. 3+ edema
D. 4+ edema

Answer 17

A. 1+ edema

2+ = moderate pitting
3+ = deep pitting
4+ = very deep pitting, indentation that lasts a long time

Question 18

The nurse is teaching a client with cardiomyopathy about home care safety measures. The nurse should address with the client which most important measure to ensure client safety?

A. Assessing pain
B. Administering vasodilators
C. Avoiding OTC drugs
D. Moving slowly from sitting to standing position

Answer 18

D. Moving slowly from sitting to standing position