cardiac practice questions
Severe chest pain is reported by a client during an acute myocardial infarction. Which of the following is the most appropriate drug for the nurse to administer?
Morphine sulfate (Morphine)
A client, who has undergone a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), has received discharge instructions. Which statement by the client would indicate the need for further teaching by the nurse?
"I should expect a low-grade fever and swelling at the site for the next week."
When assessing a client who reports recent chest pain, the nurse obtains a thorough history. Which client statement most strongly suggests angina pectoris?
"The pain occurred while I was mowing the lawn."
A client asks the nurse how long to wait after taking nitroglycerin before experiencing pain relief. What is the best answer by the nurse?
5 minutes
A nurse is caring for a client who is exhibiting signs and symptoms characteristic of a myocardial infarction (MI). Which statement describes priorities the nurse should establish while performing the physical assessment?
Assess the client's level of pain and administer prescribed analgesics
A client comes to the emergency department (ED) reporting precordial chest pain. In describing the pain, the client describes it as pressure with a sudden onset. What disease process would the nurse suspect in this client?
Coronary artery disease
A middle-aged client presents to the ED reporting severe chest discomfort. Which finding is most indicative of a possible myocardial infarction (MI)?
Chest discomfort not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin
A client with angina pectoris must learn how to reduce risk factors that exacerbate this condition. When developing the client's care plan, which expected outcome should a nurse include?
Client will verbalize the intention to stop smoking
A nurse is caring for a client who experienced an MI. The client is ordered to received metoprolol. The nurse understands that this medication has which therapeutic effect?
Decreases resting heart rate
A client comes to the emergency department reporting chest pain. An electrocardiogram (ECG) reveals myocardial ischemia and an anterior-wall myocardial infarction (MI). Which ECG characteristic does the nurse expect to see?
Elevated ST segment
The nurse is discussing risk factors for developing CAD with a patient in the clinic. Which results would indicate that the patient is not at significant risk for the development of CAD?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL), 80 mg/dL
A nurse is teaching a client who receives nitrates for the relief of chest pain. Which instruction should the nurse emphasize?
Lie down or sit in a chair for 5 to 10 minutes after taking the drug
A client with cardiovascular disease is being treated with amlodipine, which is intended to cause what therapeutic effect?
Reducing the heart's workload by decreasing heart rate and myocardial contraction
The nurse is caring for a client presenting to the emergency department (ED) reporting chest pain. Which electrocardiographic (ECG) finding would be most concerning to the nurse?
ST elevation
In the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), medications are often ordered to control blood pressure in the client. Which of the following is a primary purpose of using beta-adrenergic blockers in the nursing management of CAD?
To decrease workload of the heart
The client has had biomarkers tested after reporting chest pain. Which diagnostic marker of myocardial infarction remains elevated for as long as 2 weeks?
Troponin
When a client who has been diagnosed with angina pectoris reports experiencing chest pain more frequently, even at rest, that the period of pain is longer, and that it takes less stress for the pain to occur, the nurse recognizes that the client is describing which type of angina?
Unstable
The nurse knows that women and older adult are at greater risk for a fatal myocardial event. Which factor is the primary contributor of this cause?
Vague symptoms
Which nursing actions would be of greatest importance in the management of a client preparing for angioplasty?
Withhold anticoagulant therapy.
The client is asking the nurse about heart-healthy food choices for lunch. What are foods that are heart healthy? Select all that apply.
soy yogurt, broiled trout, blueberries
