Final Exam Chat ATI Questions Flashcards
(336 cards)
A patient presents with chest discomfort during exercise that is relieved by rest and nitroglycerin. Which coronary artery is most likely involved if the pain is located in the anterior chest and radiates down the left arm? A. Right coronary artery B. Left circumflex artery C. Left anterior descending (LAD) artery D. Pulmonary artery
C. Left anterior descending (LAD) artery
The LAD supplies the anterior wall of the left ventricle — classic location for exertional chest pain.
A nurse is assessing a client who reports dizziness when standing and has a history of hypertension. The nurse notes a MAP of 58 mm Hg. What is the priority nursing action? A. Recheck blood pressure in 30 minutes B. Encourage fluid intake C. Notify the provider immediately D. Instruct the client to ambulate
C. Notify the provider immediately
A MAP <60 mm Hg may indicate inadequate organ perfusion.
A 74-year-old patient with known CAD reports new confusion and mild dyspnea without chest pain. What is the nurse’s best initial action? A. Ask about recent dietary intake B. Notify the provider immediately C. Administer oxygen D. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
D. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
Older adults may not present with classic symptoms of myocardial ischemia. First assess, then intervene.
The nurse auscultates a murmur over the 5th ICS, left midclavicular line. Which valve is likely affected? A. Tricuspid B. Pulmonic C. Aortic D. Mitral
D. Mitral
This is the mitral (apical/PMI) landmark — commonly assessed for regurgitation or stenosis.
During assessment, a patient has bounding pedal pulses rated at 4+. What could this indicate? A. Hypovolemia B. Normal finding C. Fluid overload or increased CO D. Decreased perfusion to the extremities
C. Fluid overload or increased CO
Bounding pulses may reflect high stroke volume or pressure.
A patient’s lab values reveal elevated troponin I and T, but no ST elevation is present on ECG. Which condition is most likely? A. Unstable angina B. STEMI C. NSTEMI D. Stable angina
C. NSTEMI
This is myocardial infarction without ST elevation but with evidence of damage (elevated troponins).
A client is undergoing a cardiac stress test. What finding would require the nurse to stop the test immediately? A. HR increase from 75 to 95 B. Mild fatigue C. ST segment depression on ECG D. Reported muscle cramps in the legs
C. ST segment depression on ECG
Indicates myocardial ischemia. Test should be stopped and evaluated.
A patient recovering from an MI has a MAP of 55 mm Hg, cool extremities, and altered mental status. Which hemodynamic issue does this most likely reflect? A. High preload B. Increased contractility C. Low cardiac output D. Elevated afterload
C. Low cardiac output
Signs indicate poor perfusion, likely due to impaired ventricular function post-MI.
A nurse is educating a patient on how the autonomic nervous system affects the heart. Which statement indicates understanding? A. “The sympathetic system slows my heart rate.” B. “The parasympathetic system raises my blood pressure.” C. “The vagus nerve is part of the sympathetic response.” D. “The sympathetic system increases heart rate and contractility.”
D. “The sympathetic system increases heart rate and contractility.”
Correct explanation of SNS influence on cardiac function.
A patient with chronic hypertension is showing signs of left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiography. Which concept explains this adaptation? A. Increased preload B. Decreased afterload C. Increased afterload D. Decreased contractility
C. Increased afterload
The left ventricle thickens to overcome increased systemic vascular resistance.
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Preload and Afterload – CARDS RX (explained)
Afterload is the amount of resistance the heart has to overcome to pump blood out into the circulatory system. Essentially, it’s the pressure the ventricles need to generate to open the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonary) and eject blood during systole. It’s influenced by the resistance in the arteries and the stiffness of the arterial walls.
A nurse is reviewing the chart of a client with consistently elevated BP readings over the past month. Which entry would support a diagnosis of primary hypertension? A. History of polycystic kidney disease B. Elevated creatinine and protein in urine C. Sedentary lifestyle and BMI of 34 D. BP elevation only during office visits
C. Sedentary lifestyle and BMI of 34
Primary HTN is linked to modifiable risk factors like obesity and inactivity.
A 55-year-old client has a BP reading of 148/94 mmHg. What is the nurse’s next best action? A. Diagnose the client with hypertension B. Reassess BP on a different day C. Administer antihypertensive medication D. Instruct the client to restrict fluids
B. Reassess BP on a different day
Diagnosis requires two+ elevated readings on separate visits.
A client presents to the ED with BP 210/152 mmHg, headache, blurred vision, and dyspnea. Which action should the nurse take first? A. Administer a stat antihypertensive IV B. Place the client on seizure precautions C. Call the Rapid Response Team D. Reassess BP manually in both arms
A. Administer a stat antihypertensive IV
This is a hypertensive crisis — immediate BP reduction is required to prevent organ damage.
A nurse is counseling a client newly diagnosed with HTN. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching? A. “I should reduce my sodium intake.” B. “I’ll stop my medication once my BP is normal.” C. “I’ll start walking 30 minutes, 3 times a week.” D. “I’ll read food labels for sodium content.”
B. “I’ll stop my medication once my BP is normal.”
HTN requires long-term treatment — stopping meds abruptly can lead to rebound HTN.
A nurse is educating a client with newly prescribed lisinopril. Which symptom should the client report to the provider? A. Mild fatigue B. Dry cough C. Increased appetite D. Slight dizziness when standing
B. Dry cough
ACE inhibitors like lisinopril commonly cause a dry cough — may require a med change.
A client with secondary hypertension has a low GFR and elevated BUN/Creatinine. Which underlying cause is most likely? A. Obesity B. Vaping C. Kidney disease D. Stress
C. Kidney disease
Kidney disease is a common cause of secondary HTN and affects renal filtration markers.
The nurse is assessing a client who reports fatigue and facial flushing. BP is 162/98. What is the nurse’s priority assessment? A. Check for dependent edema B. Ask about recent salt intake C. Assess for medication adherence D. Review cardiovascular and renal history
D. Review cardiovascular and renal history
HTN affects target organs — assess for end-organ damage.
A nurse is discussing the DASH diet with a client. Which meal option indicates correct understanding of the diet? A. Ham sandwich with cheese and chips B. Grilled salmon, brown rice, and steamed broccoli C. Fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy D. Bacon, eggs, and white toast with butter
B. Grilled salmon, brown rice, and steamed broccoli
The DASH diet emphasizes lean protein, whole grains, and low sodium.
A nurse is planning care for a hypertensive client with poor medication adherence. Which intervention best addresses this issue? A. Ask if they have a pill organizer B. Refer to a dietitian C. Educate on measuring BP at home D. Assess financial ability to afford medications
D. Assess financial ability to afford medications
Cost is a common barrier to adherence and must be addressed directly.
A client taking antihypertensive medication reports dizziness upon standing. What is the nurse’s best response? A. “You should stop the medication immediately.” B. “That’s normal and nothing to worry about.” C. “Change positions slowly and call if it gets worse.” D. “This likely means the medication isn’t working.”
C. “Change positions slowly and call if it gets worse.”
Orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect — safety education is key.
A client with a history of smoking and diabetes reports calf pain while walking that is relieved by rest. What is the nurse’s priority action? A. Assess dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses B. Apply compression stockings to improve circulation C. Elevate the legs above heart level D. Instruct the client to avoid all physical activity
A. Assess dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses
Intermittent claudication is a classic symptom of PAD; peripheral pulse assessment helps confirm impaired perfusion.
A nurse notes thin, shiny skin and a loss of hair on a client’s lower legs. Which condition should the nurse suspect? A. Venous insufficiency B. Arterial occlusion C. Deep vein thrombosis D. Cellulitis
B. Arterial occlusion
Skin changes like shiny, hairless legs suggest poor arterial circulation due to PAD.
A client has an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) of 0.76. What does this result indicate? A. Normal arterial blood flow B. Mild venous insufficiency C. Moderate peripheral arterial disease D. Severe deep vein thrombosis
C. Moderate peripheral arterial disease
An ABI <0.90 confirms PAD; 0.76 suggests moderate disease.
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client with PAD. Which intervention is inappropriate? A. Encourage walking to the point of pain B. Elevate legs above the level of the heart C. Recommend smoking cessation D. Apply warmth to promote vasodilation
B. Elevate legs above the level of the heart
Elevating legs above the heart reduces arterial perfusion in PAD — legs should be kept in a dependent position.