Cardiovascular System Exam Questions

Cardiovascular System Exam Questions Related

Review Cardiovascular System Exam Questions related questions and content

Which condition is characterized by an inability to effectively pump blood, leading to fluid buildup and swelling in the body?

  • A. Heart failure
  • B. Cardiomyopathy
  • C. Angina
  • D. Myocarditis
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Heart failure is characterized by the heart's inability to effectively pump blood, leading to fluid buildup and swelling.
Step 2: Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, which may contribute to heart failure but is not the direct cause of fluid buildup.
Step 3: Angina is chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart, not directly related to fluid buildup.
Step 4: Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, which can lead to heart failure but is not the primary cause of fluid accumulation.
Summary: Heart failure is the correct answer as it directly relates to the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid accumulation. Cardiomyopathy, angina, and myocarditis are related to heart health but do not directly cause fluid buildup in the body.

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What procedure is used to visualize the airways and diagnose lung disease?

  • A. Bronchoscopy
  • B. Thoracentesis
  • C. Pulmonary function test
  • D. Chest X-ray
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the airways to visualize and diagnose lung diseases directly. It allows for direct visualization of the airways, collection of samples for biopsy, and removal of obstructions. Thoracentesis (B) is a procedure to remove fluid from the pleural space, not for visualizing airways. Pulmonary function test (C) measures lung function but doesn't directly visualize airways. Chest X-ray (D) provides an image of the lungs but doesn't allow for direct visualization or diagnosis of airway diseases.

What condition is characterized by a water hammer pulse?

  • A. Aortic regurgitation
  • B. Mitral valve stenosis
  • C. Mitral regurgitation
  • D. Aortic stenosis
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A water-hammer pulse is characteristic of aortic regurgitation due to the sudden increase in arterial pressure followed by rapid decline.

At 9:00 pm, you admit a 63-year-old with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to the ED. The physician is considering the use of fibrinolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA, alteplase). Which information is most important to communicate to the physician?

  • A. The patient was treated with alteplase about 8 months ago.
  • B. The patient takes famotidine (Pepcid) for esophageal reflux.
  • C. The patient has T wave inversions on the 12-lead ECG.
  • D. The patient has had continuous chest pain since 1:00 pM.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Continuous chest pain indicates ongoing ischemia, making the patient a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy within the therapeutic window.

What is a chronic condition where the heart muscle becomes weakened and enlarged, reducing its ability to pump blood effectively?

  • A. Dilated cardiomyopathy
  • B. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • C. Myocarditis
  • D. Pericarditis
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a chronic condition characterized by the heart muscle becoming weakened and enlarged, leading to reduced pumping efficiency. This results in symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling. The other choices are incorrect because:
B: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by thickening of the heart muscle, not weakening and enlargement.
C: Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, not specifically causing heart muscle weakening and enlargement.
D: Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium (outer lining of the heart), not directly affecting heart muscle function.

The nurse is caring for a client on heparin. What is the most important lab value to monitor?

  • A. aPTT
  • B. INR
  • C. Platelet count
  • D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: aPTT. This lab value is crucial for monitoring heparin therapy as it measures the effectiveness of the medication in preventing blood clots. Monitoring aPTT helps ensure the client is within the therapeutic range to prevent bleeding or clotting complications. Incorrect choices:
B: INR is used to monitor warfarin therapy, not heparin.
C: Platelet count is important, but aPTT is more directly related to heparin therapy.
D: Hemoglobin is important for assessing anemia but not specific to monitoring heparin therapy.

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