Exam practice questions - set 1

Question 1

Acute chest pain due to CAD is caused by what?

Answer 1

Increased myocardial 02 demand and decreased myocardial 02 supply

Question 2

What is the primary goal in chest pain management?

Answer 2

Open the artery and keep it open

Question 3

What are the 3 commonly used medications in acute chest pain and management?

Answer 3

GTN, morphine, and aspirin

Question 4

When giving morphine for acute chest pain, what are three key nursing considerations?

Answer 4

RR under 12, altered level of consciousness, and hypotension

Question 5

Aspirin is what type of drug?

Answer 5

An antiplatelet

Question 6

The role of statins in acute chest pain management is what?

Answer 6

To lower total cholesterol / low-density lipid levels

Question 7

Three medication classes used in the treatment of heart failure are what?

Answer 7

Diuretics, statins and beta blockers

Question 8

Beta blockers do what?

Answer 8

Slow the HR, lower the BP and reduce the force of contraction.

Question 9

Ace inhibitors do what?

Answer 9

Promote vasodilation and diuresis, decreasing the workload of the heart.

Question 10

Diuretics do what?

Answer 10

Increase sodium and water excretion by the kidneys

Question 11

You are looking after a patient who has recently been diagnosed with asthma. You are the practice nurse responsible for providing an education session. Which of the following best describes the cause of their breathlessness?

A. Bronchospasm, increased mucous production and narrowing of airways
B. Coughing, wheezing and apnoea
C. Narrowing of airways, vasodilation and bronchospasm
D. Tachypnoea, decreased mucus production and bronchodilation

Answer 11

A. Bronchospasm, increased mucous production and narrowing of the airways

Question 12

Metastasis is defined as what?

A. The process of benign cells migrating to another region
B. Cancer cells moving from their original location to other sites
C. Growing in or penetrating a body cavity
D. The interruption of growth of malignant cells

Answer 12

B. Cancer cells moving from their original location to other sites

Question 13

A common side effect of chemotherapy includes?

A. Decreased level of consciousness
B. Depression
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. All of the above

Answer 13

C. Nausea and vomiting

Question 14

You are caring for a patient who has right-sided paralysis and aphasia after an embolic stroke that occurred two days ago. These symptoms indicate that?

A. The damage was probably in both hemispheres of the brain
B. The damage was probably in the left side of his cerebrum probably in the frontal area
C. The damage was probably in the right side of the brain
D. He will probably regain function quickly after this type of injury

Answer 14

B. The damage was probably in the left side of his cerebrum probably in the frontal area

Question 15

Prolonged hypertension results in the following permanent change in the vascular system:
A. Development of lipid plaques in large veins
B. Recurrent infection in peripheral arteries
C. Damage to the arterial walls
D. Increased systemic vasodilation

Answer 15

C. Damage to the arterial walls

Question 16

The nurse is concerned that their patient may be developing left sided heart failure. Signs and symptoms of left sided heart failure include:

A. Dyspnoea, orthopnea, and a cough
B. Fatigue, dizziness, and a headache
C. Weakness, palpitations and peripheral oedema
D. Diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting

Answer 16

A. Dyspnea, Orthopnea, and cough

Question 17

The nurse measures the blood pressure of a 78 year old patient and finds it to be 168/86mmhg. An age-related change that contributes to this finding is what?

A. Stenosis of the heart valves
B. Loss of elasticity in arterial vessels
C. Decreased beta-adrenergic sensitivity
D. An increase is serum calcium levels

Answer 17

B. Loss of elasticity in arterial vessels

Question 18

During an assessment of a 63-year-old at the clinic, the patient tells the nurse that for years they have taken an evening walk, but lately even a short walk causes leg pain and muscle cramps. If they stop for a while, the pain goes away. The nurse recognises this condition as:

A. An arterial inflammatory and spastic condition that is precipitated by exercise
B.Varicose veins due to chronic venous insufficiency, with resultant ischaemia and pain
C.Thrombophlebitis due to a blood clot in a peripheral vessel, resulting in venous obstruction
D.Intermittent claudication due to peripheral ischaemia

Answer 18

D: Intermittent claudication due to peripheral ischaemia

Question 19

You are talking to your patient several days following their myocardial infarction. During this conversation, you explain that a myocardial infarction is what?

A. A blockage of a coronary artery
B. A complication of congestive heart failure
C. Ischemia of the heart muscle
D. A worse form of angina pectoris

Answer 19

A: A blockage of a coronary artery

Question 20

You are caring for a patient who was admitted with myocardial infarction (MI) two days ago. You note bilateral oedema in their lower extremities. You would plan to do which of the following next?

A. Review the intake and output records for the last two days
B. Change the time of diuretic administration from morning to evening
C. Send a referral to the dietitian requesting an increased sodium diet
D. Commence daily weighs

Answer 20

D. Commence daily weighs

Question 21

The most common complication following myocardial infarction is what?

A. An arrhythmia
B. Acute respiratory failure
C. Cardiac arrest
D. Pulmonary embolism

Answer 21

A. An arrhythmia

Question 22

Shortly after admission, your patient becomes cyanoses and agitated. The nurse will do what:

A. Commence him on 02 at 8 litres via a mask
B. Undertake an assessment using the rapid assessment framework
C. Give him 02 at 2 litres via nasal cannula
D. Get him to take deep breaths to increase his 02 intake

Answer 22

B: Undertake an assessment using the rapid assessment framework

Question 23

A patient with acute diarrhoea of 24 hours duration calls the clinic to ask for directions for care. In talking with the patient, the nurse should:

A. Ask the patient to describe the character of the stools and any associated symptoms
B. Advise the patient to use over-the-counter loperamide to slow gastrointestinal motility
C. Inform the patient that laboratory testing of blood and stool specimens will be necessary
D. Advise the patient to drink clear liquid fluids with electrolytes

Answer 23

A: Ask the patient to describe the character of the stools and any associated symptoms

Question 24

The information that is most important for the nurse to obtain during the initial assessment of a patient admitted to the ward with vomiting of bright red blood is what?

A. Current medical problems
B. Medications the patient is taking
C. History of prior bleeding episodes
D. Vital signs and the early warning score

Answer 24

D: Vital signs and the early warning score

Question 25

Two days following a hemicolectomy the patient complains of gas and abdominal distension. The nurse plans for the patient, based on the knowledge that the patients symptoms occur as a result of what?

A. Impaired peristalsis
B. Irritation of the bowel
C. Nasogastric suctioning
D. Inflammation of the bowel at the anastomosis site

Answer 25

A. Impaired peristalsis

Question 26

Which of the following early warning signs could alert you to the presence of hypoxia?

A. Restlessness
B. Cyanosis
C. Lethargy
D. Coma

Answer 26

A. Restlessness

Question 27

Which of the following terms refers to purulent fluid in the pleuritic cavity?

A. Pleural effusion
B. Pneumothorax
C. Empyema
D. Haemothorax

Answer 27

C: Empyema

Question 28

A patient is treated in the emergency department for shock following a motor vehicle accident. The nurse knows that shock is a clinical syndrome in which cellular dysfunction and organ failure occur primarily as a result of what?

A. Hypertension
B. Loss of blood
C. Severe infection
D. Impaired tissue perfusion

Answer 28

D: Impaired tissue perfusion

Question 29

While monitoring a patients cardiac activity the nurse recognises that a normal physiological mechanism responsible for an increase in heart rate and force of cardiac contractions is stimulation of what?

A. The vagus nerve
B. Chemoreceptors in the vena cava
C. Alpha-adrenergic receptors in the vascular system
D. Baroreceptors in the aortic arch and carotid body

Answer 29

D. Baroreceptors in the aortic arch and carotid body

Question 30

A patient with hypovolaemic shock has a urinary output of 25ml/hour. The nurse understands that the compensatory physiological mechanism involved is what?

A. Release of aldosterone, which increases serum osmolarity, causing release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
B. Movement of interstitial fluid to the intravascular space, increasing renal blood flow
C. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system, causing vasodilation of the renal arteries
D. Beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation that causes increased cardiac output as a result of increased heart rate and myocardial contractility

Answer 30

A. Release of aldosterone which increases serum osmolarity, causing release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Question 31

A patient has been admitted in acute respiratory distress after collapsing while playing netball. Following your assessment, you identify they have ineffective airway clearance and suspect they have pneumonia. You base this on the finding of what?

A. 02 saturations of 85%
B. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per miniute
C. Crackles in the right and left lobes with pink frothy sputum
D. Crackles in the right and left lobes with productive green sputum

Answer 31

D: Crackles in the right and left lobes with productive green sputum

Question 32

Your patient is commences on 02 therapy. A priority assessment while they are on 02 will be what?

A. Respiratory rate
B. Accessory muscle use
C. Urinary output
D. 02 saturation

Answer 32

A: Respiratory rate

Question 33

The primary goal of withholding food and fluids before surgery is to prevent what?

A. Aspiration
D. Distension
C. Infection
D. Obstruction

Answer 33

A: Aspiration

Question 34

You are the student nurse caring for a patient with intravenous therapy. You notice that the intravenous cannula insertion site appears swollen and is tender to touch. What is your first action?

A. Stop the infusion and seek assistance immediately
B. Remove the intravenous fluids from the patient
C. Flush the leur with 0.9% Normal Saline
D. Decrease the drip rate so the IV fluids infuse at a slower rate.

Answer 34

A: Stop the infusion and seek assistance immediately