Cardiovascular System Practice Exam

Cardiovascular System Practice Exam Related

Review Cardiovascular System Practice Exam related questions and content

The nurse is giving the client digoxin for heart failure and recognizes that the drug has what type of effect on the heart?

  • A. Negative inotropic, negative chronotropic effect
  • B. Positive inotropic, negative chronotropic effect
  • C. Negative inotropic, positive chronotropic effect
  • D. Positive inotropic, positive chronotropic effect
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Positive inotropic, negative chronotropic effect. Digoxin is a positive inotrope, meaning it increases the force of myocardial contraction, which helps improve cardiac output in heart failure. It has a negative chronotropic effect, meaning it decreases the heart rate by slowing down the electrical conduction in the heart, which can be beneficial in certain heart conditions.

Choice A (Negative inotropic, negative chronotropic effect) is incorrect because digoxin is a positive inotrope, not a negative inotrope. Choice C (Negative inotropic, positive chronotropic effect) is incorrect because digoxin does not have a positive chronotropic effect. Choice D (Positive inotropic, positive chronotropic effect) is incorrect because digoxin has a negative chronotropic effect, not a positive one.

Therefore, the correct choice is B due to the combination of positive inotropic effect and negative chronotropic effect of digoxin on the heart

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The nurse is giving digoxin to a client. What is the most important parameter to check before administration?

  • A. Heart rate
  • B. Blood pressure
  • C. Respiratory rate
  • D. Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Digoxin is primarily used to treat heart conditions.
Step 2: Heart rate is crucial as digoxin can affect the heart rhythm.
Step 3: Monitoring heart rate ensures safety and effectiveness of digoxin.
Step 4: Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are important but not as directly impacted by digoxin.

In the patient with chest pain, which results can differentiate unstable angina from an MI?

  • A. ECG changes present at the onset of the pain
  • B. A chest x-ray indicating left ventricular hypertrophy
  • C. Appearance of troponin in the blood 48 hours after the infarct
  • D. Creatine kinase (CK)-MB enzyme elevations that peak 18 hours after the infarct
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: ECG changes distinguish unstable angina from MI.

Which of the following is a rare but serious condition where the pulmonary arteries become narrowed, increasing the blood pressure in the lungs?

  • A. Pulmonary hypertension
  • B. Pulmonary embolism
  • C. Pulmonary fibrosis
  • D. Aortic stenosis
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pulmonary hypertension. This condition is characterized by narrowing of the pulmonary arteries, leading to increased blood pressure in the lungs. Pulmonary embolism (B) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries, not narrowing. Pulmonary fibrosis (C) involves scarring of lung tissue, not artery narrowing. Aortic stenosis (D) is a narrowing of the aortic valve, not the pulmonary arteries. Therefore, the correct choice is A.

This test measures the amount of blood the heart pumps with each beat, often used to assess heart function.

  • A. Ejection fraction
  • B. Cardiac output
  • C. Stroke volume
  • D. End-diastolic volume
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ejection fraction. Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart's left ventricle with each contraction. It is a key indicator of heart function and can help diagnose heart conditions such as heart failure. Cardiac output (B) is the total amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute, not the amount pumped with each beat. Stroke volume (C) is the amount of blood pumped by the heart in one contraction, not specifically with each beat. End-diastolic volume (D) is the amount of blood in the ventricle before contraction, not the amount pumped with each beat.

The client on warfarin has an INR of 3.8. What is the most appropriate action by the nurse?

  • A. Administer vitamin K.
  • B. Hold the next dose of warfarin.
  • C. Increase the dose of warfarin.
  • D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer vitamin K. When a client on warfarin has an INR above the therapeutic range (usually 2-3), like in this case (3.8), administering vitamin K is appropriate to reverse the anticoagulant effects. This helps prevent bleeding complications. Holding the next dose of warfarin (B) may not be sufficient to lower the INR quickly. Increasing the dose of warfarin (C) would further elevate the INR, leading to higher bleeding risk. Notifying the healthcare provider (D) is important, but immediate action with vitamin K is necessary to address the high INR.

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