The most life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia following myocardial infarction is
- A. ventricular fibrillation
- B. premature ventricular contractions
- C. premature atrial contractions
- D. atrial fibrillation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation disrupts cardiac function and requires immediate intervention.
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Which of the following are the consequences of fluid and electrolyte imbalances resulting from diuretic therapy in older adults?
- A. Fatigue
- B. Dyspnea
- C. Chest pain
- D. Heart palpitations
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fluid and electrolyte imbalances can lead to fatigue, a common side effect of diuretic use in older adults.
A patient has been receiving a heparin sodium IV for the last three days. The patient's most current platelet count is 65,000 × 103/uL; while the platelet count on admission was 350,000 × 103/uL. The cardiac-vascular nurse contacts the physician to:
- A. report that the medication level is subtherapeutic.
- B. report that the patient is exhibiting signs of an adverse reaction.
- C. request an increase in the medication infusion rate.
- D. request an order for platelet transfusion.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A significant drop in platelets suggests heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, an adverse reaction.
Which heart chamber ejects blood into the lungs via the pulmonary artery?
- A. Right atrium
- B. Left atrium
- C. Right ventricle
- D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, the right ventricle. The right ventricle is responsible for pumping deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery for oxygenation. This process occurs during the pulmonary circulation phase of the cardiac cycle. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it into the right ventricle. The right ventricle then contracts to push the blood through the pulmonary valve and into the pulmonary artery. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs, which is then pumped into the left ventricle for distribution to the rest of the body. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not directly involve the ejection of blood into the lungs via the pulmonary artery.
What is the narrowing of the arteries due to the buildup of plaque, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes?
- A. Coronary artery disease
- B. Peripheral artery disease
- C. Aortic stenosis
- D. Mitral valve prolapse
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Coronary artery disease. This condition involves the narrowing of arteries supplying blood to the heart due to plaque buildup. Plaque can lead to blockages, causing heart attacks and strokes. Peripheral artery disease (B) affects arteries outside the heart. Aortic stenosis (C) is the narrowing of the aortic valve, not arteries. Mitral valve prolapse (D) is a condition affecting the mitral valve, not arteries. Therefore, A is the correct answer.
What is the procedure where a device is used to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm during a life-threatening arrhythmia?
- A. Defibrillation
- B. Cardioversion
- C. Echocardiogram
- D. Ablation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Defibrillation is the correct answer as it is the procedure where an electrical device delivers a shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm during a life-threatening arrhythmia. This shock helps reset the heart's electrical activity. Cardioversion (B) is similar but used for less severe arrhythmias. Echocardiogram (C) is an imaging test to assess heart function, not a treatment. Ablation (D) is a procedure to destroy abnormal heart tissue causing arrhythmias but not used for immediate life-threatening situations like defibrillation.