Cardiology Practice Questions from ATI

A nurse in an ED is assessing a client who has a bradydysrhythmia. Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor for? A. Confusion B. Friction rub C. Hypertension D. Dry skin

A. Confusion Bradydysrhythmia can cause decreased systemic perfusion, which can lead to confusion. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client's mental status.

A nurse is caring for a client following insertion of a permanent pacemaker. Which of the following client statements indicates a potential complication of the insertion procedure? A. "I can't get rid of these hiccups." B. "I feel dizzy when I stand." C. "My incision site stings." D. "I have a headache."

A. "I can't get rid of these hiccups." Hiccups can indicate that the pacemaker is stimulating the chest wall or diaphragm, which can occur as a result of a lead wire perforation.

A nurse is planning a presentation for a group of clients who have HTN. Which of the following lifestyle modifications should the nurse include? (Select all apply) A. Limited alcohol intake B. Regular exercise program C. Decreased magnesium intake D. Reduced potassium intake E. Tobacco cessation

A. Limited alcohol intake is correct. Clients who have hypertension should limit alcohol intake. B. Regular exercise program is correct. Clients who have hypertension should develop a regular exercise program to help reduce blood pressure. E. Tobacco cessation is correct. Clients who have hypertension should have a goal of tobacco cessation because tobacco use exacerbates hypertension.

A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is experiencing AFib. Which of the following findings should the nurse plan to monitor for and report to the provider immediately? A. Slurred speech B. Irregular pulse C. Dependent edema D. Persistent fatigue

A. Slurred speech The greatest risk to this client is injury from an embolus caused by the pooling of blood that can occur with atrial fibrillation. Slurred speech can indicate inadequate circulation to the brain because of an embolus. Therefore, the nurse should report this finding to the provider immediately.

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has heart failure. The nurse should instruct the client to report which of the following findings immediately to the provider? A. Weight gain of 0.9 kg (2lb) in 24 hr B. Increase of 10mmHg in SBP C. Dyspnea with exertion D. Dizziness when rising quickly

A. weight gain of 0.9 kg (2lb) in 24 hr When using the urgent vs nonurgent approach to client care, the nurse should determine priority finding is a weight gain of 0.5 to 0.9 kg (1.1 -2lb) in 1 day. Weight gain is indicative of fluid retention and worsening heart failure.

A nurse is reviewing the ECG rhythm strip of a client who is receiving telemetry. Which of the following areas of the strip should the nurse examine to observe for atrial depolarization? ( You will find hot spots to select in the artwork below. Select only the hot spot that corresponds to your answer.)

Answer is A.

A nurse is providing health teaching to a group of clients. Which of the following clients is at risk for developing peripheral arterial disease? A. A client who has hypothyroidism B. A client who has diabetes mellitus C. A client whose daily caloric intake consists of 25% fat D. A client who consumes two 12-oz (0.35-L) bottles of beer a day

B. A client who has diabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus places the client at risk for microvascular damage and progressive peripheral arterial disease.

A nurse is reviewing the lab results of several male clients who have peripheral arterial disease. The nurse should plan to provide dietary teaching for the clients who has which of the following lab values? A. Cholesterol 180 mg/dL, HDL 70 mg/dL, LDL 90 mg/dL B. Cholesterol 185 mg/dL, HDL 50 mg/dL, LDL 120 mg/dL C. Cholesterol 190 mg/dL, HDL 25 mg/dL, LDL 160 mg/dL D. Cholesterol 195 mg/dL, HDL 55 mg/dL, LDL 125 mg/dL

C. Cholesterol 190 mg/dL, HDL 25 mg/dL, LDL 160 mg/dL These laboratory values for HDL and LDL are outside of the expected reference range and indicate that the nurse should provide dietary teaching to the client. The expected reference range for cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL; for HDL is above 45 mg/dL for males and above 55 mg/dL for females; and for LDL is less than 130 mg/dL.

A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of angina and is scheduled for exercise electrocardiography at 1100. Which of the following statements by the client requires the nurse to contact the provider for possible rescheduling? A. I'm still hungry after the bowl of cereal I ate at 7am. B. I didn't take my heart pills this morning because the doctor told me not to. C. I have had chest pain a couple of times since I saw my doctor in the office last week. D. I smoked a cigarette this morning to calm my nerves about having this procedure

D. I smoked a cigarette this morning to calm my nerves about having thus procedure Smoking prior to test can change the outcome and place client at additional risks.

A nurse is assessing a client who has a history of DVT and is receiving warfarin. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication is effective? A. Hemoglobin 14g/dL B. Minimal bruising of extremities C. Decreased Blood Pressure D. INR 2.0

D. INR 2.0 The nurse should identify that an INR of 2.0 is within the desired reference range of 2.0 to 3.0 for a client who has a deep-vein thrombosis and is receiving warfarin to reduce the risk of new clot formation and a stroke.

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving heparin therapy and develops hematuria. Which of the following actions should the nurse take if the client's PTT is 96 seconds? A. Increase the heparin infusion flow rate by 2mL/hr B. Continue to monitor the heparin infusion as prescribed C. Request a prothrombin time (PTT) D. Stop the heparin infusion

D. Stop the heparin infusion. The nurse should identify that the client's aPTT is above the critical value and the client is displaying manifestations of bleeding. Therefore, the nurse should discontinue the heparin infusion immediately and notify the provider to reduce the risk of client injury.

A nurse is monitoring a client's ECG monitor and notes the client's rhythm has changed from normal sinus rhythm to supraventricular tachycardia. The nurse should prepare to assist with which of the following interventions? A. Initiate chest compressions B. Vagal stimulation C. Administration of atropine IV D. Defibrillation

Vagal stimulation The nurse should identify that vagal stimulation might temporarily convert the client's heart rate to normal sinus rhythm. The nurse should have a defibrillator and resuscitation equipment at the client's bedside because vagal stimulation can cause bradydysrhythmias, ventricular dysrhythmias, or asystole.