Perfusion Flashcards
Which of the following factors directly influences stroke volume?
A. Blood viscosity
B. Fluid volume status
C. Peripheral vascular resistance
D. Heart rate
Answer: B. Fluid volume status
Rationale: Stroke volume is the amount of blood ejected by the heart during one contraction, and it is affected by the fluid volume status in the body. If there is too little or too much fluid, stroke volume is impacted
Which heart sound is heard due to the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
Answer: A. S1
Rationale: S1 is the “lub” sound, which occurs when the mitral and tricuspid valves close during systole
Central perfusion refers to the perfusion specific to the cardiopulmonary system.
Answer: True
Rationale: Central perfusion refers to the blood flow specific to the heart and lungs, which is crucial for maintaining overall circulation
Which of the following is considered a modifiable risk factor for altered perfusion?
A. Gender
B. Race
C. Diet
D. Age
Answer: C. Diet
Rationale: Diet is a modifiable risk factor because individuals can make changes to their diet to improve or protect perfusion. Gender, race, and age are non-modifiable risk factors
Which of the following are cues of central perfusion issues? (Select all that apply)
A. Dyspnea
B. Ischemic chest pain
C. Diminished peripheral pulses
D. Decreased capillary refill
E. Altered blood pressure
Answers: A. Dyspnea, B. Ischemic chest pain, E. Altered blood pressure
Rationale: Central perfusion issues primarily involve the heart and lungs, presenting with symptoms such as dyspnea (difficulty breathing), ischemic pain (chest pain), and abnormal blood pressure. Peripheral pulses and capillary refill are associated with peripheral perfusion
Which of the following measurements is required to calculate cardiac output?
A. Blood pressure and heart rate
B. Stroke volume and heart rate
C. Stroke volume and systolic blood pressure
D. Blood pressure and peripheral resistance
Answer: B. Stroke volume and heart rate
Rationale: Cardiac output is the product of stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped by the ventricle with each contraction) and heart rate
Which factors influence blood pressure? (Select all that apply)
A. Cardiac output
B. Peripheral vascular resistance
C. Blood volume
D. Stroke volume
E. Pulse pressure
Answers: A. Cardiac output, B. Peripheral vascular resistance, C. Blood volume
Rationale: Blood pressure is influenced by cardiac output, blood volume, and peripheral vascular resistance, as these factors affect the flow of blood through the vascular system
A nurse is assessing a patient for ischemic pain. Which of the following is most commonly associated with ischemia?
A. Pain that increases with rest
B. Pain that decreases with movement
C. Pain that worsens with exercise or activity
D. Pain that radiates down both legs
Answer: C. Pain that worsens with exercise or activity
Rationale: Ischemic pain often increases with physical activity because the demand for oxygen exceeds the supply provided to the tissues
The pulse of a healthy adult should fall within which expected reference range?
A. 50 to 90 beats per minute
B. 60 to 100 beats per minute
C. 70 to 120 beats per minute
D. 80 to 130 beats per minute
Answer: B. 60 to 100 beats per minute
Rationale: The expected pulse rate for a healthy adult is between 60 to 100 beats per minute, as this is considered the normal range
An apical pulse is best auscultated at the 2nd intercostal space on the left midclavicular line for adults.
Answer: False
Rationale: The apical pulse is best auscultated at the 5th intercostal space on the left midclavicular line for adults
A patient with bilateral lower extremity edema is likely to have which condition?
A. Arterial blockage
B. Heart failure
C. Peripheral vascular disease
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B. Heart failure
Rationale: Bilateral lower extremity edema is commonly associated with heart failure, where the heart cannot effectively pump blood, leading to fluid accumulation
Which of the following are signs of inadequate peripheral perfusion? (Select all that apply)
A. Cool extremities
B. Cyanosis
C. Bounding pulses
D. Prolonged capillary refill
E. Jugular vein distention
Answers: A. Cool extremities, B. Cyanosis, D. Prolonged capillary refill
Rationale: Inadequate peripheral perfusion leads to symptoms such as cool extremities, cyanosis (bluish discoloration), and prolonged capillary refill time. Jugular vein distention is a sign of central perfusion issues
Which of the following pulses is located behind the knee?
A. Popliteal
B. Dorsalis pedis
C. Posterior tibial
D. Femoral
Answer: A. Popliteal
Rationale: The popliteal pulse is located behind the knee in the popliteal fossa
A nurse notes a patient has a 3+ pulse. How should this pulse be described?
A. Absent
B. Normal
C. Weak
D. Increased or strong
Answer: D. Increased or strong
Rationale: A 3+ pulse is described as increased or strong, whereas 2+ is normal, 1+ is weak, and 0 is absent
Clubbing of the fingernails can indicate chronic hypoxia.
Answer: True
Rationale: Clubbing of the fingernails is a sign of chronic hypoxia, often seen in patients with long-standing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions
A nurse observes that a patient’s jugular veins are distended while the patient is sitting at a 45-degree angle. What might this indicate?
A. Hypovolemia
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Peripheral vascular disease
D. Aortic stenosis
Answer: B. Right-sided heart failure
Rationale: Jugular vein distention (JVD) is a sign of right-sided heart failure, where the heart cannot efficiently pump blood, leading to fluid backup
Capillary refill time (CRT) longer than 3 seconds in an adult may indicate:
A. Adequate perfusion
B. Dehydration
C. Impaired circulation
D. Hypothermia
Answer: C. Impaired circulation
Rationale: A capillary refill time longer than 3 seconds typically indicates impaired circulation and inadequate perfusion
Which of the following best describes a patient with an apical pulse of 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line?
A. The pulse is within normal limits
B. The patient has a displaced apical pulse
C. The patient’s apical pulse is inaudible
D. The patient has a strong radial pulse
Answer: A. The pulse is within normal limits
Rationale: In adults, the apical pulse is normally located at the 5th intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
A patient with severe peripheral edema is assessed for the pitting scale. A deep imprint that slowly returns to normal indicates which score?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 4+
Answer: D. 4+
Rationale: A 4+ pitting score indicates a deep imprint that is slow to return to normal, which is the most severe form of pitting edema
Which pulse site is located in the groove between the biceps and triceps muscles at the bend of the elbow?
A. Radial
B. Brachial
C. Femoral
D. Posterior tibial
Answer: B. Brachial
Rationale: The brachial pulse is located in the antecubital fossa, between the biceps and triceps muscles
Which of the following signs are associated with impaired peripheral perfusion? (Select all that apply)
A. Cool skin
B. Delayed capillary refill
C. Tachycardia
D. Warm extremities
E. Decreased pulse strength
Answers: A. Cool skin, B. Delayed capillary refill, E. Decreased pulse strength
Rationale: Impaired peripheral perfusion often presents with cool skin, delayed capillary refill, and weak pulses. Tachycardia and warm extremities are not typical signs of peripheral perfusion issues
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with suspected heart failure?
A. Bounding radial pulse
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
D. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
Answer: B. Jugular vein distention
Rationale: Jugular vein distention can indicate right-sided heart failure, which is a serious condition that impairs perfusion
A nurse is assessing a patient’s apical pulse. Which of the following best describes where the nurse should place the stethoscope for an adult?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
C. Fourth intercostal space, left of the sternum
D. Second intercostal space, left sternal border
Answer: B. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Rationale: The apical pulse is auscultated at the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line in adults
Diaphoresis in a patient with no apparent cause may indicate a cardiac event.
Answer: True
Rationale: Diaphoresis (sweating) without an obvious cause can be a sign of a cardiac event, such as a myocardial infarction (heart attack
