Pharm Cardio PP
A nurse administers quinidine sulfate to a patient with atrial fibrillation. The nurse should assess the electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing knowing that quinidine sulfate has what effect on the ECG? A. Prolongation of the QT interval B. Prolongation of the PR interval C. Narrowing of the QRS complex D. Tall, peaked T waves
ANS: A
A patient is receiving an intravenous infusion of heparin to treat a pulmonary embolism. What laboratory value will the nurse monitor to evaluate treatment with this medication? A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) B. Prothrombin time (PT) C. Platelet count D. Hemoglobin and hematocrit
ANS: A
A patient is prescribed digoxin [Lanoxin] and furosemide [Lasix]. It is most important for the nurse to assess which value before administering these medications? A. Serum sodium B. Blood urea nitrogen C. Serum potassium D. Plasma B-natriuretic peptide
ANS: C
A patient with angina pectoris is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin. Which statement made by the patient indicates understanding of the medication teaching? A. "I may experience a headache as a side effect." B. "The chest pain should be relieved within 20 minutes." C. "I should swallow the tablet and drink a glass of water." D. "I should take this medication in the morning before breakfast."
ANS: A
A patient with stage 2 hypertension has been prescribed a thiazide diuretic and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. It is most appropriate for the nurse to do what? A. Contact the healthcare provider. B. Administer both drugs to the patient. C. Administer the thiazide diuretic at bedtime. D. Hold the medications if the blood pressure is normal.
ANS: A
Cholestyramine has been prescribed for a patient. Which instruction should the nurse include in patient teaching? A. Cholestyramine can impair absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. B. Stop taking the drug if you develop constipation. C. Take cholestyramine with other drugs you are prescribed to enhance absorption. D. Do not take the medication if the formula is cloudy after mixing with water.
ANS: A
The healthcare provider prescribes sustained-release verapamil [Calan SR] to an 82-year-old patient who takes digoxin [Lanoxin] daily. Which action is most appropriate for the nurse to take? A. Monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm continuously. B. Assess the patient for tachycardia and hypertension. C. Maintain the patient on bed rest for 8 to 10 hours. D. Reduce dietary fiber to prevent loose, watery diarrhea.
ANS: A
The nurse cares for a patient receiving digoxin [Lanoxin]. What indicates to the nurse that treatment with this medication is effective? A. Improved cardiac output B. Reduced exercise tolerance C. Increased body weight D. Decreased cardiac contractility
ANS: A
The nurse cares for a patient with a digoxin level of 1.9 ng/mL. Which action would be most appropriate for the nurse to take initially? A. Start continuous heart monitoring. B. Check the patient's serum creatinine. C. Administer digoxin as prescribed. D. Give Fab antibody fragments [Digibind].
ANS: A
The nurse teaches a patient about benazepril [Lotensin]. Which statement by the patient requires an intervention by the nurse? A. "I use NoSalt instead of salt to season foods." B. "I eat sweet potatoes once or twice a week." C. "I drink 4 ounces of prune juice each morning." D. "I like asparagus because it's high in vitamin K."
ANS: A
A nurse instructs a patient about signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity. The nurse determines that teaching is successful if the patient makes which statement? A. "If my heart is racing, the dose may be too high." B. "I should report any muscle weakness or nausea." C. "My doctor should be notified if diarrhea occurs." D. "The dose will be reduced if I develop memory loss."
ANS: B
A patient diagnosed with ST-elevation myocardial infarction has been scheduled for an angioplasty. Which medication does the nurse anticipate administering before this procedure? A. Dobutamine [Dobutrex] B. Abciximab [ReoPro] C. Alteplase [Activase] D. Warfarin [Coumadin]
ANS: B
A patient diagnosed with heart failure has stage 1 hypertension. Which medication, if ordered by the healthcare provider, should the nurse question? A. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor B. Calcium channel blocker C. Thiazide diuretic D. Beta blocker
ANS: B
A patient diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) develops a dysrhythmia. Which medication, if ordered by the physician, should the nurse question? A. Lidocaine [Xylocaine] B. Procainamide [Procanbid] C. Disopyramide [Norpace] D. Amiodarone [Cordarone]
ANS: B
A patient is prescribed hydralazine. What is most important for the nurse to teach the patient? A. Precautions for postural hypotension B. Prevention of reflex tachycardia C. High initial dose for slow acetylators D. Recognition of hypertrichosis
ANS: B
A patient is prescribed lovastatin [Mevacor]. The nurse will teach the patient to take the medication at which time? A. With any meal B. With the evening meal C. 1 hour before breakfast D. 2 hours after a meal
ANS: B
A patient who is hospitalized for an infection takes eplerenone [Inspra] for heart failure. Which medication, if ordered by the physician, should the nurse question? A. Ciprofloxacin [Cipro] B. Itraconazole [Sporanox] C. Tetracycline [Sumycin] D. Ampicillin [Principen]
ANS: B
A patient with severe hypertension is prescribed minoxidil. Which medications will the nurse expect to be administered to reduce adverse responses to minoxidil? A. Adenosine [Adenocard] and ticlopidine [Ticlid] B. Furosemide [Lasix] and propranolol [Inderal] C. Digoxin [Lanoxin] and captopril [Capoten] D. Donepezil [Aricept] and clonidine [Catapres]
ANS: B
The nurse instructs a patient about taking nifedipine [Procardia XL]. Which statement made by the patient indicates an understanding of medication teaching? A. "I'll stop taking my beta blocker." B. "The pill should be swallowed whole." C. "The drug will cause constipation." D. "This drug treats heart rhythm problems."
ANS: B
The nurse will teach a patient who is prescribed niacin [Niacor] to prevent flushing of the face by doing what? A. Drinking a full glass of water after taking the medication B. Taking 325 mg of aspirin 30 minutes before each dose C. Ingesting a meal before taking the medication D. Increasing dietary fiber before and after each dose
ANS: B
A patient has been diagnosed with a STEMI. Which medications does the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient? A. Beta blocker, angiotensin II receptor blocker, and oxygen B. Aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and diuretics C. Aspirin, beta blocker, oxygen, morphine, and nitroglycerin D. Heparin, nitroprusside, morphine, and calcium channel blocker
ANS: C
A patient has hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Which blood pressure goal would be most beneficial for this patient? A. Blood pressure less than 140/90 mm Hg B. Diastolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg C. Blood pressure less than 130/80 mm Hg D. Systolic blood pressure less than 160 mm Hg
ANS: C
A patient is prescribed a nitroglycerin transdermal patch. The nurse should include which statement when teaching the patient how to use this medication? A. "Apply the patch to the chest over the heart." B. "Change the patch each week." C. "Remove the patch at bedtime." D. "Put on the patch before exercising."
ANS: C
A patient is prescribed verapamil [Calan]. The nurse should assess the patient for which common adverse effects? A. Atrial fibrillation, photosensitivity, and blurred vision B. Tachycardia, stomatitis, and inflammation of the joints C. Constipation, headache, and edema of the ankles and feet D. Dry mouth, lymphadenopathy, and decreased appetite
ANS: C
A patient who is taking spironolactone [Aldactone] is prescribed losartan [Cozaar]. The nurse should take which action? A. Assess for symptoms of hyperkalemia. B. Observe for a hypertensive crisis. C. Administer the medications as scheduled. D. Evaluate for first-dose hypotension.
ANS: C
During administration of alteplase [Activase], the patient's IV site starts to ooze blood around the catheter. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate? A. Discontinue the infusion of alteplase. B. Assess the patient's vital signs. C. Apply direct pressure over the puncture site. D. Administer aminocaproic acid [Amicar].
ANS: C
The nurse administers an intravenous infusion of amiodarone [Coredarone] to a patient to prevent recurrent episodes of ventricular fibrillation. It is most important for the nurse to assess the patient for which condition? A. Urinary retention B. Hypercalcemia C. Hypotension D. Metallic taste
ANS: C
The nurse teaches a patient diagnosed with chronic stable angina about the mechanism of action of nitroglycerin. The nurse should include which instruction? A. "Nitroglycerin reduces vasospasms of the heart's arteries, which improves blood supply." B. "Nitroglycerin opens the arteries to allow more oxygen to be delivered to the heart muscle." C. "Nitroglycerin dilates veins, which decreases the amount of oxygen needed by the heart." D. "Nitroglycerin improves blood flow to the heart muscle by increasing blood pressure."
ANS: C
What is the antidote for heparin? A. Ferrous sulfate B. Atropine sulfate C. Protamine sulfate D. Magnesium sulfate
ANS: C
Which patient does the nurse identify as most likely needing an increased dose of warfarin [Coumadin] to have the same anticoagulant effect? A. Patient taking acetaminophen [Tylenol] for back pain B. Patient taking cimetidine [Tagamet] to prevent gastric ulcers C. Patient taking oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy D. Patient taking prednisone [Deltasone] for rheumatoid arthritis
ANS: C
A female patient who is diabetic sustained an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The nurse provides discharge teaching. Which statement, made by the patient, indicates that further teaching is required? A. "Medications are needed to prevent heart failure." B. "I will take aspirin, atenolol, and captopril indefinitely." C. "My blood pressure should be less than 130/80 mm Hg." D. "Daily estrogen will prevent another heart attack."
ANS: D
A patient in the emergency department is diagnosed with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The patient has been prescribed 325 mg of aspirin. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? A. Administer the medication to the patient if a headache develops. B. Administer the medication with a full glass of water. C. Instruct the patient to let the tablet dissolve under the tongue. D. Tell the patient to chew the tablet thoroughly.
ANS: D
A patient is prescribed sustained-release oral nitroglycerin capsules for chronic stable angina. The nurse should include which instruction? A. "Avoid exercising to help prevent chest pain." B. "Place the capsule under the tongue if chest pain occurs." C. "Take the capsule as needed before exercise or exertion." D. "Sit or lie down if dizziness or lightheadedness occurs."
ANS: D
A patient is to receive a scheduled dose of diltiazem [Cardizem]. The nurse should hold the medication and contact the prescriber if which of the following is noted? A. The patient's blood pressure is 112/64 mm Hg. B. The patient's cardiac rhythm is atrial fibrillation. C. The patient is complaining of chest pain. D. The patient is in second-degree heart block.
ANS: D
The nurse is preparing to administer adenosine [Adenocard] to a patient to treat paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Which action by the nurse is most appropriate? A. Inject the medication into the peripheral intravenous (IV) line. B. Infuse the dose by diluting the drug in 100 mL of saline. C. Administer a small test dose to determine hypersensitivity. D. Give the medication through the central line catheter.
ANS: D
Which patient is the most appropriate candidate for both lifestyle changes and drug therapy with an antihypertensive medication? A. A 47-year-old patient with blood pressure of 110/78 mm Hg and with type 2 diabetes mellitus B. A 76-year-old patient with blood pressure of 128/88 mm Hg and a history of dyslipidemia C. A 52-year-old patient with blood pressure of 136/89 mm Hg who smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day D. A 32-year-old patient with blood pressure of 142/94 mm Hg who is sedentary
ANS: D
Which patient would most likely be prescribed sodium nitroprusside [Nitropress]? A. A patient with a recent diagnosis of essential hypertension B. A patient with heart failure who receives weekly home visits C. A patient who is hypotensive after a myocardial infarction D. A patient with a hypertensive crisis in the intensive care unit
ANS: D