Medical Surgical Nursing: Cardiovascular care
Test your cognitive nursing skills in med-surg cardiovascular care for the adult patient. Please note that this quiz does not cover cardiovascular disorders.
- 1.
Which of the following is the correct definition of a stroke volume?
- A.
The volume of blood stretching the left ventricle at the end of diastole
- B.
The volume of blood ejected by the left ventricle during each contraction
- C.
The pressure against which the ventricles has to eject blood through the semilunar valves
- D.
The volume of blood pumped from the left ventricle in one minute
Correct Answer
B. The volume of blood ejected by the left ventricle during each contractionExplanation
Choice B is correctRate this question:
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- 2.
Which of the following is a normal finding in the aging adult?
- A.
Conduction time decreases
- B.
Baroreceptors become more sensitive
- C.
The left ventricle increases in size
- D.
Systemic vascular resistance decreases
Correct Answer
C. The left ventricle increases in sizeExplanation
An increased left ventricle is a common finding in the aging adultRate this question:
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- 3.
An ER nurse is reviewing the charts of several patients. Which of the following patients would the nurse interpret as having an angina?
- A.
A 39-year-old female patient complaining of indigestion, discomfort, and states that she feels like she has to "catch her breath."
- B.
A 51-year-old male patient who states "It hurts when I breathe!"
- C.
A 42-year-old female patient complaining of pain traveling up and down her chest
- D.
A 27-year old male patient complaining of a dull ache on his chest, palpitations, and numbness in his fingertips
Correct Answer
A. A 39-year-old female patient complaining of indigestion, discomfort, and states that she feels like she has to "catch her breath."Explanation
As opposed to men, women have atypical signs of an angina pectoris. Signs and symptoms include, dyspnea, stabbing chest pain, indigestion, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.Rate this question:
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- 4.
A nurse is interviewing a 56-year-old patient who states that after sleeping for two hours, he feels like he's suffocating. He also says that "Once I sit up and dangle my legs off the bed, I feel better." The nurse interprets these findings as:
- A.
Orthopnea
- B.
Anxiety
- C.
Insomnia
- D.
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Correct Answer
D. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspneaExplanation
PND occurs when the patient lies down for a few hours and is awakened with shortness of breath. Reclining and dangling the legs off the bed relieves their dyspnea.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which of the following is the correct method in identifying for postural hypotension?
- A.
First check the BP at the sitting position. After 3 minutes, have patient at the prone position. Wait for 1 minute to auscultate the BP and count the radial pulse.
- B.
First check the BP at the supine position, After 3 minutes, have patient sit or stand. Wait for 1 minute to auscultate the BP and count the radial pulse.
- C.
Wait for 1 minute to auscultate the BP and count the radial pulse while the patient is sitting. Then have the patient at the supine position and check for the BP.
- D.
First check the BP at the prone position, After 3 minutes, have patient sit or stand. Wait for 1 minute to auscultate the BP and count the radial pulse.
Correct Answer
B. First check the BP at the supine position, After 3 minutes, have patient sit or stand. Wait for 1 minute to auscultate the BP and count the radial pulse.Explanation
Postural hypotension is when there is a decrease of more than 20 mm Hg in systolic pressure or greater than 10 mm Hg in dystolic pressure. When a patient moves from a supine to a sitting or standing position, they are experiencing dizziness due to postural hypotension.Rate this question:
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- 6.
A nurse in the telemetry unit is caring for a patient who has a weak pulse that changes to a strong pulse. The nurse would document this finding as:
- A.
Paradoxical pulse
- B.
Gallop
- C.
Hyperkinetic pulse
- D.
Pulsus alternans
Correct Answer
D. Pulsus alternansExplanation
Pulsus alternans is where a weak pulse alternates with a stronger one.Rate this question:
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- 7.
While the nurse is doing a cardiovascular assessment on a 67-year-old patient, she hears an atrial gallop (S4). The nurse should evaluate this finding as:
- A.
Possibility for hypertension
- B.
Possibility for aortic stenosis
- C.
Possibility for ventricular hypertrophy
- D.
A normal finding
Correct Answer
D. A normal findingExplanation
This would be a normal finding for this particular patient since the ventricles stiffen in the aging adultRate this question:
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- 8.
A nurse is reviewing a patient's chart. Which lab finding would reveal to the nurse that the patient has an MI? (Select all that apply)
- A.
CK-MB
- B.
CK-MM
- C.
CK-BB
- D.
Troponins
- E.
Creatinine
Correct Answer(s)
A. CK-MB
D. TroponinsExplanation
CK-MB and troponins are not found in a healthy patients; therefore, an elevation of both indicates an infarctRate this question:
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- 9.
Which electrolyte does not play a major role in cardiovascular performance?
- A.
Magnesium
- B.
Chloride
- C.
Potassium
- D.
Calcium
Correct Answer
B. ChlorideExplanation
Chloride maintains osmotic pressure and plays a role in the buffering mechanism of the bodyRate this question:
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- 10.
A nurse is reviewing an ECG reading and notes an increased U wave with a depressed ST. The nurse interprets this reading as what electrolyte imbalance?
- A.
Hypocalcemia
- B.
Hypercalcemia
- C.
Hypokalemia
- D.
Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer
C. HypokalemiaExplanation
Increased U waves with a depressed ST and flat, inverted T waves are normally found in hypokalemia.Rate this question:
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- 11.
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a patient who will undergo cardiac catheterization. Which of the following statements indicates further teaching?
- A.
"I shouldn't take my digoxin before catheterization."
- B.
"I will be under general anesthesia."
- C.
"I shouldn't eat anything after midnight."
- D.
"Coughing is normal during the procedure."
Correct Answer
B. "I will be under general anesthesia."Explanation
Local anesthesia is given so that the patient may report chest pain or pressure on the siteRate this question:
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- 12.
Before undergoing cardiac catherization, it is important for the nurse to ask the patient if they have any allergies to:
- A.
Shellfish
- B.
Egg
- C.
Avocados
- D.
Peanuts
Correct Answer
A. ShellfishExplanation
Allergy to shellfish indicates a risk to radioplaque dyes and iodine. An antihistamine and corticosteroid are given prior to the procedure.Rate this question:
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- 13.
A nurse is providing teaching to a patient scheduled for a stress test. The patient understands instruction when he states:
- A.
"I shouldn't use my Verapamil before the test."
- B.
"It is important that I have a large meal before the test."
- C.
"I'm allowed to drink my coffee on the day of the test."
- D.
"I'm going to take a long hot shower after the test."
Correct Answer
A. "I shouldn't use my Verapamil before the test."Explanation
Calcium channel blockers, like Verapamil should be withheld before the test to allow the heart rate to increase during the testRate this question:
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- 14.
The patient is being discharged with warfarin (Coumadin). What labs should be routinely monitored for this patient?
- A.
Serum lipid panel
- B.
PTT
- C.
CBC
- D.
PT and INR
Correct Answer
D. PT and INRExplanation
PT (prothrombin time) and INR (international normalized ratio) are monitored for the therapeutic effects of the anticoagulantRate this question:
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- 15.
A patient who is being hemodynamically monitored has an increased RA pressure. How does the nurse interpret this finding?
- A.
Pulmonary rupture
- B.
Hypovolemia
- C.
Right ventricular failure
- D.
Afterload reduction
Correct Answer
C. Right ventricular failureExplanation
Normal RA ranges between 1-8 mm Hg. An increased RA indicates right ventricular failure whereas a low RA indicates hypovolemiaRate this question:
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