Cardio Flashcards
A nurse is caring for a client in the intensive care unit diagnosed with shock. Which definition best describes this shock state?
A. Shock that occurs due to a decrease in intravascular volume
B. Shock that occurs as a result of cardiac dysfunction
C. Shock that occurs secondary to an excessive inflammatory response due to infection
D. Shock that occurs due to damage to the brain or spinal cord
A. Shock that occurs due to a decrease in intravascular volume
Hypovolemic shock is a life-threatening condition characterized by a decrease in intravascular volume in the cardiovascular system, which becomes insufficient to support adequate perfusion of the body tissues
After a history and physical indicate a client may be experiencing atrial fibrillation, which diagnostic testing should the nurse prepare the client for?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Cardiac catheterization
C. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
D. 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
D. 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
A client recently diagnosed with left-sided heart failure is in the outpatient clinic for shortness of breath. Which additional assessment finding indicates that the client may be experiencing worsening of the condition?
A. Respiratory rate of 12 and shoulder pain 7/10
B. Crackles auscultated bilaterally and pink, frothy sputum
C. Urine output of 1000 mL and increased episodes of vomiting
D. Heart rate of 75 and blood pressure of 105/68
B. Crackles auscultated bilaterally and pink, frothy sputum
Following a severe myocardial infarction, a client demonstrates decreased cardiac output. The nurse understands which compound(s) is/are likely being released by the body to compensate for decreased cardiac output? Select all that apply.
A. Epinephrine
B. Histamine
C. Luteinizing hormone
D. Angiotensin II
E. Antidiuretic hormone
A. Epinephrine
D. Angiotensin II
E. Antidiuretic hormone
The nurse is caring for an adult client with a blood pressure of 201/125 mmHg who is prescribed intravenous (IV) hydralazine 10 mg once. The medication is available in a vial containing 20 mg/mL. How many mL of the solution should the nurse administer per dose?
0.5 mL
The nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department who has a suspected myocardial infarction (MI). The healthcare provider tells the nurse they plan to prescribe a clonidine patch since the client was hypertensive on admission. Before applying the patch, which action should the nurse do first?
A. Ask the client to rate their pain on a scale of 0-10
B. Tell the client to lie down on their back
C. Provide the client with a glass of water
D. Obtain a new blood pressure
D. Obtain a new blood pressure
Clonidine is a medication that lowers blood pressure and should not be administered if the client is currently experiencing hypotension.
A client with a history of hypertension presents to the emergency department reporting a severe headache for three days. The triage nurse obtains a blood pressure of 231/187 mmHg and the client’s creatinine is 2.5 mg/dL. After establishing intravenous access, the nurse notifies the healthcare provider. Which medication should the nurse expect the healthcare provider to prescribe for this client’s condition?
A. Dopamine
B. Vasopressin
C. Midodrine
D. Hydralazine
D. Hydralazine
Direct-acting vasodilators, like hydralazine, work because there is an inverse relationship of the size (diameter) of a blood vessel to the blood pressure.
A client presents to the ER with palpitations after returning from a vacation. They state that yesterday, they consumed a moderate amount of alcohol and inhaled cocaine. The client has premature atrial contractions (PACs) on their electrocardiogram. What is the most likely cause of the client’s arrhythmia?
A. Myocardial inflammation
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Increased sympathetic activity
D. Impaired ventilation
C. Increased sympathetic activity
Illicit drugs like cocaine can increase sympathetic stimulation and raise the likelihood of enhanced automaticity within the atria. This can lead to PACs.
The cardiac nurse is caring for several clients who are each prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The nurse should hold the next dose and call the provider to discuss the prescription for which client?
A. Adult client recently prescribed spironolactone for heart failure
B. Elderly client diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (MI)
C. Female client with a potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
D. Adult male with a blood pressure of 142/88 mmHg
A. Adult client recently prescribed spironolactone for heart failure
ACE inhibitors decrease potassium excretion in the urine, which can lead to hyperkalaemia. So, it is important for clients who are taking ACE inhibitors to avoid taking potassium sparing diuretics, like spironolactone. The nurse should hold the next dose and contact the provider to discuss the prescription for this client.
The nurse has administered digoxin to a client for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Which side effect(s) should the nurse monitor for? Select all that apply.
A. Weight gain
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia
D. Seizures
E. Diplopia
C. Bradycardia
E. Diplopia
Bradycardia, or low heart rate, is a side effect of cardiac glycosides such as digoxin.
Digoxin can cause certain visual side effects such as diplopia. Diplopia is when a client experiences double vision.
The nurse is preparing to provide client education regarding the common causes of peripheral venous disease (PVD). Which contributing disease process should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Hypertension
B. Type II diabetes
C. Atherosclerosis
D. Congestive heart failure (CHF)
D. Congestive heart failure (CHF)
CHF is associated with the development of PVD. A client with congestive heart failure cannot pump the blood forward, which results in blood pooling in the venous system, increasing venous pressure and causing damage to the veins.
The nurse is documenting the plan of care for a client diagnosed with a ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Which nursing intervention is appropriate to include?
A. Educate client about foods low in potassium and magnesium
B. Encourage family members to visit the client frequently
C. Instruct the client not to strain during bowel movements
D. Assist the client in performing active range of motion every hour
C. Instruct the client not to strain during bowel movements
A nurse is caring for a client admitted with hypertension. The client’s vital signs at 8 am (08:00) were:
Temperature 37.1°C (98.8 °F)
Blood pressure 110/88 mmHg
Heart rate 78/min
Respirations 20/min
Oxygen saturation 98% on room air
Prior to administering atenolol at 10 am (10:00), which nursing intervention should the nurse perform?
A. Ask the client if they have eaten breakfast
B. Take another temperature
C. Change the administration time
D. Check blood pressure and heart rate
D. Check blood pressure and heart rate
A nurse is caring for a client in the compensatory stage of hypovolemic shock. Which consequences of catecholamine release should the nurse expect to observe in this client? Select all that apply.
A. Increased cardiac contractility
B. Increased urine output
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
E. Increased peripheral resistance
A. Increased cardiac contractility
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
E. Increased peripheral resistance
A 65-year-old client is being discharged after hospitalization following a cardiac arrest event. During hospitalization, the client developed asystole and achieved a return of spontaneous circulation. In the event the client becomes unresponsive at home, what instruction should the nurse provide to the client’s family members in addition to the need to notify emergency responders?
A. “Coach the client to take slow, deep breaths.”
B. “Push hard and fast on the client’s chest.”
C. “Lay the client on their side to prevent choking.”
D. “Administer 4 ounces of fruit juice.
B. “Push hard and fast on the client’s chest.”
Which statement(s) should the nurse include when teaching a client with left-sided heart failure to prevent future exacerbations? Select all that apply.
A. “Take your lisinopril and furosemide as ordered.”
B. “Monitor your fluid intake to prevent fluid overload.”
C. “Weigh yourself at the same time each day.”
D. “Eat a low-salt diet to prevent fluid retention.”
E. “Eat lots of high-cholesterol foods to prevent heart disease.”
F. “Increase calcium intake to prevent heart failure.”
A. “Take your lisinopril and furosemide as ordered.”
B. “Monitor your fluid intake to prevent fluid overload.”
C. “Weigh yourself at the same time each day.”
D. “Eat a low-salt diet to prevent fluid retention.”
Which statement can be applied to the pathological process of primary hypertension?
A. “Hypertension occurs when a buildup of plaque weakens the arterial walls.”
B. “Secondary hypertension occurs when the veins are weakened.”
C. “Primary hypertension is caused by other medical conditions.”
D. “Genetic factors can affect the cardiovascular and renal systems.”
D. “Genetic factors can affect the cardiovascular and renal systems.”
Primary hypertension has no known underlying cause, but it is thought to be due to the interaction of environmental and genetic factors affecting the cardiovascular and renal systems.
The nurse is gathering the medication history from a client diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF). The client tells the nurse they are taking a cardiac glycoside. Which medication on the client’s home medication list is within this classification?
A. Digoxin
B. Losartan
C. Bumetanide
D. Captopril
A. Digoxin
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used in the treatment of CHF.
A client arrives at the emergency department with chest pain and is being evaluated for a possible myocardial infarction (MI). Which diagnostic test(s) should the nurse prepare the client for? Select all that apply.
A. Cardiac Stress Test
B. Chest X-Ray
C. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
D. Serum coagulation panel
E. Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP)
B. Chest X-Ray
C. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
D. Serum coagulation panel
E. Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP)
The emergency department nurse is caring for a client experiencing 8/10 chest pain and left arm tingling. The healthcare provider suspects the client is having a myocardial infarction (MI). The nurse should anticipate that the healthcare provider will prescribe which medication?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Furosemide
C. Atorvastatin
D. Isosorbide dinitrate
A. Nitroglycerin