Cardiac practice questions

The nurse is caring for a patient in septic shock due secondary to pneumonia. The nurse knows that evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of septic shock include which interventions? (Select all that apply.) a. Administer norepinephrine to maintain mean arterial pressure of 65 mm Hg. b. Administer low-dose dopamine to maintain urine output greater than 30 mL/h. c. Start enteral nutrition within the first 48 hours after diagnosis of septic shock. d. Administer 30 mL/kg crystalloid for hypotension or lactate greater than or equal to 4 mmol/L. e. Perform an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test to identify patients who need hydrocortisone

A, C, D norepinephrine, enteral nutrition, crystalloid fluids

A physician orders removal of the central venous catheter (CVC) line. The patient has a diagnosis of heart failure with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The nurse would place the patient in what position for this procedure? a. Supine in bed b. Supine in a chair c. Flat in bed d. Reverse Trendelenburg position

A. Supine

The nurse is caring for a patient in hypovolemic shock secondary to cirrhosis of the liver. The nurse understands that this type of shock results from shifting of fluid into the abdominal cavity. What is the resulting hypovolemia called? a. Absolute hypovolemia b. Distributive hypovolemia c. Relative hypovolemia d. Compensatory hypovolemia

A. absolute hypovolemia

A nurse is caring for a patient in septic shock due to urinary sepsis. Which pathophysiologic mechanism results in septic shock? a. Bacterial toxins lead to vasodilation. b. White blood cells are released to fight invading bacteria. c. Microorganisms invade organs such as the kidneys and heart. d. Decreased red blood cell production and fluid loss

A. bacterial toxins lead to vasodilation

A patient has been admitted with septic shock due to urinary sepsis. The practitioner inserts a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter. Which hemodynamic value would the nurse expect to note to support this diagnosis? a. Cardiac output (CO) of 8 L/min b. Right atrial pressure (RAP) of 17 mm Hg c. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) of 23 mm Hg d. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) of 1100 dyne/s/cm

A. cardiac ouput of 8 l per min

The patient is admitted with a diagnosis of cardiogenic shock. The patient's heart rate (HR) is 135 beats/min with weak peripheral pulses. The patient has bilaterally crackles in the bases of the lungs. O2 saturation is 90% on 4L/NC. The practitioner orders diuretics and vasodilators. What response should the nurse expect after starting the medications? a. Decreased preload and afterload b. Increased preload and afterload c. Decreased preload and increased afterload d. Increased preload and decreased afterload

A. decreased preload and afterload

A patient is being admitted with cardiogenic shock secondary to acute heart failure. In addition to a diuretic, which medication would the nurse anticipate the practitioner ordering for the patient? a. Epinephrine b. Nitroprusside c. Dobutamine d. Nitroglycerine

A. epinephrine

When assessing a patient with PVCs, the nurse knows that the ectopic beat is multifocal because it appears in what way? a. In various shapes in the same lead b. With increasing frequency c. Wider than a normal QRS d. On the T wave

A. in various shape in the same lead

The nurse is caring for a patient in cardiogenic shock. The nurse recognizes that the patient's signs and symptoms are the result of what problem? a. Inability of the heart to pump blood forward b. Loss of circulating volume and subsequent decreased venous return c. Disruption of the conduction system when reentry phenomenon occurs d. Suppression of the sympathetic nervous system

A. inability of the heart to pump blood forward

A patient has been admitted with hypovolemic shock due to traumatic blood loss. Which nursing measure can best facilitate the administration of large volumes of fluid? a. Inserting a large-diameter peripheral intravenous catheter b. Positioning the patient in the Trendelenburg position c. Encouraging the patient to drink at least 240 mL of fluid each hour d. Administering intravenous fluids under pressure with a pressure bag

A. inserting a large-diameter peripheral intravenous catheter

Why is a new-onset of atrial fibrillation serious? a. It increases the patient's risk for a stroke. b. It increases the patient's risk for a deep venous thrombosis. c. It may increase cardiac output to dangerous levels. d. It indicates the patient is about to have a myocardial infarction.

A. it increases their risk for stroke

A patient is admitted with a brain and spinal cord injury secondary to a motor vehicle crash. The nurse is monitoring the patient for signs of neurogenic shock. Clinical findings in neurogenic shock are related to which pathophysiologic process? a. Loss of sympathetic nervous system innervation b. Parasympathetic nervous system stimulation c. Injury to the hypothalamus d. Focal injury to cerebral hemispheres

A. loss of simpathetic nervous system innervation

A patient has been admitted with anaphylactic shock due to an unknown allergen. The nurse understands that the decrease in the patient's cardiac output is the result of which mechanism? a. Peripheral vasodilation b. Increased venous return c. Increased alveolar ventilation d. Decreased myocardial contractility

A. peripheral vasodilation

A patient in cardiogenic shock is being treated in the critical care unit. Which findings would the nurse expect to note in the patient to support this diagnosis? (Select all that apply.) a. Warm, dry skin b. Heart rate greater than 100 beats/min c. Weak, thready pulse d. Increased right atrial pressure e. Decreased pulmonary artery occlusion pressure

B C D increased HR, weak thready pulse, increases R atrial pressure

A patient has been admitted with hypovolemic shock due to blood loss. Which finding would the nurse expect to note to support this diagnosis? a. Distended neck veins b. Decreased level of consciousness c. Bounding radial and pedal pulses d. Widening pulse pressure

B. decreased LOC

What effect does ventricular tachycardia have on cardiac output? a. Increases cardiac output due to an increase in ventricular filling time b. Decreases cardiac output due to a decrease in stroke volume c. Increases cardiac output due to an increase in preload d. Decreases cardiac output due to a decrease in afterload

B. decreases CO due to a decrease in stroke volume

What is the initial intervention in a patient with sinus tachycardia with the following vital signs: heart rate, 136 beats/min; blood pressure, 102/60 mm Hg; respiratory rate, 24 breaths/min; temperature, 99.2 F; SpO2, 94% on oxygen 2 L/min by nasal cannula? a. Administer adenosine IV push. b. Identify the cause. c. Administer nitroglycerine 0.4 mg sublingual. d. Administer lidocaine 75 mg IV push.

B. identify the cause

What is the most common complication of a central venous catheter (CVC)? a. Air embolus b. Infection c. Thrombus formation d. Pneumothorax

B. infection

The nurse is caring for a patient with multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The nurse understands that earlier nutritional support is critical for the patient to prevent profound weight loss. Why does this occur in patient MODS? a. Patient experiences hypometabolism. b. Patient experiences hypermetabolism. c. Patient experiences anorexia. d. Patient has gut dysfunction.

B. patient experiences hypermetabolism

A nursing instructor is discussing the difference between primary and secondary multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) with a nursing student. Which statement indicates the student understood the information? a. Primary MODS is the result of inflammation in organs not involved in the initial insult. b. Primary MODS is the result of a direct organ injury. c. Primary MODS is due to a disorganization of the inflammatory immune system response. d. Primary MODS is due to disruption of the coagulation system.

B. primary mods is the result of direct organ injury

What type of atrioventricular (AV) block can be described as a gradually lengthening PR interval until ultimately the final P wave in the group fails to conduct? a. First-degree AV block Long PR interval b. Second-degree AV block, type I c. Second-degree AV block, type II Normal then no show d. Third-degree AV block

B. second degree type I

A nurse is discussing the concept of shock with a new graduate nurse. Which statement indicates the new graduate nurse understood the information? a. Shock is a physiologic state resulting in hypotension and tachycardia. b. Shock is an acute, widespread process of inadequate tissue perfusion. c. Shock is a degenerative condition leading to organ failure and death. d. Shock is a condition occurring with hypovolemia that results in hypotension.

B. shock is an acute, widespread process of inadequate tissue perfusion

A patient has been admitted with a neurologic disorder. With which disorder should the nurse be the most vigilant for the development of neurogenic shock? a. Ischemic stroke b. Spinal cord injury c. Guillain-Barr syndrome d. Brain tumor

B. spinal cord injury

A patient becomes unresponsive. The patient's heart rate is 32 beats/min in an idioventricular rhythm; blood pressure is 60/32 mm Hg; SpO2 is 90%; and respiratory rate is 14 breaths/min. Which intervention would the nurse do first? a. Notify the physician and hang normal saline wide open. b. Notify the physician and obtain the defibrillator. c. Notify the physician and obtain a temporary pacemaker. d. Notify the physician and obtain a 12-lead ECG.

C. temporary pacemaker

A patient's central venous pressure (CVP) reading suddenly increased from 10 to 48 mm Hg. His lungs are clear except for fine rales at the bases. What should the nurse do next? a. Nothing as this reading is still within normal limits. b. Place a STAT call into the physician. c. Administer ordered prn Lasix. d. Check the level of the transducer.

D. check the level of the transducer

The nurse is caring for a patient in cardiogenic shock. Which hemodynamic parameters would the nurse expect to note to support this diagnosis? a. Increased right atrial pressure b. Decreased pulmonary artery wedge pressure c. Increased cardiac output d. Decreased cardiac index

D. decreased cardiac index

A patient with a known penicillin allergy develops anaphylactic shock after a dose of ampicillin was given in error. Which medication would the nurse administer first? a. Methylprednisolone b. Gentamicin c. Atropine d. Epinephrine

D. epinephrine

What major clinical finding present in a patient with ventricular fibrillation (VF)? a. Hypertension b. Bradycardia c. Diaphoresis d. Pulselessness

D. pulselessness

Which portion of the electrocardiogram (ECG) is most valuable in diagnosing atrioventricular (AV) conduction disturbances? a. P wave b. PR interval c. QRS complex d. QT interval

PR interval

The physician is going to place a central venous catheter. Which anatomic site is associated with a lower risk of infection? a. Subclavian vein b. External jugular vein c. Internal jugular vein d. Femoral vein

subclavian