SAUNDERS PRACTICE SOLUTION VIEW
AHEAD EXAM WITH TESTED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026
• The nurse is reviewing an electrocardiogram rhythm strip. The P waves
and QRS complexes are regular. The PR interval is 0.16 second, and
QRS complexes measure 0.06 second. The overall heart rate is 64
beats/minute. Which would be a correct interpretation based on these
characteristics?
1.
Sinus bradycardia
2.
Sick sinus syndrome
3.
Normal sinus rhythm
4.
First-degree heart block . Answer: 3
,Normal sinus rhythm is defined as a regular rhythm, with an overall rate
of 60 to 100 beats/minute. The PR and QRS measurements are normal,
measuring 0.12 to 0.20 second and 0.04 to 0.10 second, respectively.
• A client is wearing a continuous cardiac monitor, which begins to
sound its alarm. A nurse sees no electrocardiographic complexes on the
screen. Which is the priority action of the nurse?
1.
Call a code.
2.
Call the health care provider.
3.
Check the client's status and lead placement.
4.
Press the recorder button on the electrocardiogram console. . Answer: 3
Sudden loss of electrocardiographic complexes indicates ventricular
asystole or possibly electrode displacement. Accurate assessment of the
client and equipment is necessary to determine the cause and identify the
appropriate intervention. The remaining options are secondary to client
assessment.
,• A client is having frequent premature ventricular contractions. The
nurse should place priority on assessment of which item?
1.
Sensation of palpitations
2.
Causative factors, such as caffeine
3.
Precipitating factors, such as infection
4.
Blood pressure and oxygen saturation . Answer: 4
Premature ventricular contractions can cause hemodynamic
compromise. Therefore, the priority is to monitor the blood pressure and
oxygen saturation. The shortened ventricular filling time can lead to
decreased cardiac output. The client may be asymptomatic or may feel
palpitations. Premature ventricular contractions can be caused by cardiac
disorders, states of hypoxemia, or by any number of physiological
stressors, such as infection, illness, surgery, or trauma, and by intake of
caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol.
, • The nurse is evaluating a client's response to cardioversion. Which
observation would be of highest priority to the nurse?
1.
Blood pressure
2.
Status of airway
3.
Oxygen flow rate
4.
Level of consciousness . Answer: 2
Nursing responsibilities after cardioversion include maintenance first of
a patent airway, and then oxygen administration, assessment of vital
signs and level of consciousness, and dysrhythmia detection.
• A client's electrocardiogram strip shows atrial and ventricular rates of
110 beats/minute. The PR interval is 0.14 second, the QRS complex
measures 0.08 second, and the PP and RR intervals are regular. How
should the nurse correctly interpret this rhythm?
1.
AHEAD EXAM WITH TESTED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026
• The nurse is reviewing an electrocardiogram rhythm strip. The P waves
and QRS complexes are regular. The PR interval is 0.16 second, and
QRS complexes measure 0.06 second. The overall heart rate is 64
beats/minute. Which would be a correct interpretation based on these
characteristics?
1.
Sinus bradycardia
2.
Sick sinus syndrome
3.
Normal sinus rhythm
4.
First-degree heart block . Answer: 3
,Normal sinus rhythm is defined as a regular rhythm, with an overall rate
of 60 to 100 beats/minute. The PR and QRS measurements are normal,
measuring 0.12 to 0.20 second and 0.04 to 0.10 second, respectively.
• A client is wearing a continuous cardiac monitor, which begins to
sound its alarm. A nurse sees no electrocardiographic complexes on the
screen. Which is the priority action of the nurse?
1.
Call a code.
2.
Call the health care provider.
3.
Check the client's status and lead placement.
4.
Press the recorder button on the electrocardiogram console. . Answer: 3
Sudden loss of electrocardiographic complexes indicates ventricular
asystole or possibly electrode displacement. Accurate assessment of the
client and equipment is necessary to determine the cause and identify the
appropriate intervention. The remaining options are secondary to client
assessment.
,• A client is having frequent premature ventricular contractions. The
nurse should place priority on assessment of which item?
1.
Sensation of palpitations
2.
Causative factors, such as caffeine
3.
Precipitating factors, such as infection
4.
Blood pressure and oxygen saturation . Answer: 4
Premature ventricular contractions can cause hemodynamic
compromise. Therefore, the priority is to monitor the blood pressure and
oxygen saturation. The shortened ventricular filling time can lead to
decreased cardiac output. The client may be asymptomatic or may feel
palpitations. Premature ventricular contractions can be caused by cardiac
disorders, states of hypoxemia, or by any number of physiological
stressors, such as infection, illness, surgery, or trauma, and by intake of
caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol.
, • The nurse is evaluating a client's response to cardioversion. Which
observation would be of highest priority to the nurse?
1.
Blood pressure
2.
Status of airway
3.
Oxygen flow rate
4.
Level of consciousness . Answer: 2
Nursing responsibilities after cardioversion include maintenance first of
a patent airway, and then oxygen administration, assessment of vital
signs and level of consciousness, and dysrhythmia detection.
• A client's electrocardiogram strip shows atrial and ventricular rates of
110 beats/minute. The PR interval is 0.14 second, the QRS complex
measures 0.08 second, and the PP and RR intervals are regular. How
should the nurse correctly interpret this rhythm?
1.
