NSG 304 EXAM 1 REVIEW QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS
A patient is admitted to the cardiac unit with a heart rate of 55 beats per minute,
and an ECG strip shows sinus bradycardia. The nurse should prioritize which
intervention?
A) Administer an antiarrhythmic medication.
B) Prepare for synchronized cardioversion.
C) Provide patient education about bradycardia.
D) Start oxygen therapy immediately. - ANSWER Answer and Rationale:
C) Provide patient education about bradycardia.
Rationale: Bradycardia is a slow heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute.
In sinus bradycardia without symptoms, the priority is patient education rather
than immediate intervention. The patient should be educated about bradycardia,
its potential causes, and signs to watch for. If the patient becomes symptomatic
or the heart rate drops significantly, further interventions may be necessary.
A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation (AFib) is admitted to the cardiac unit.
The nurse knows that pharmacologic management for AFib typically includes:
A) Administering beta blockers.
B) Performing electrical cardioversion.
C) Initiating thrombolytic therapy.
D) Starting intravenous magnesium. - ANSWER Answer and Rationale:
A) Administering beta blockers.
Rationale: Pharmacologic management of atrial fibrillation often involves
medications to control the heart rate and rhythm. Beta blockers are commonly
used to slow the heart rate in AFib, helping to reduce symptoms and prevent
complications like stroke. Other interventions, such as electrical cardioversion,
may be considered in certain cases, but beta blockers are a common initial
approach.
In general cardiac pharmacology, beta blockers are often prescribed for various
cardiac conditions. Which of the following statements accurately describes the
action of beta blockers?
A) They increase heart rate and contractility.
B) They dilate coronary arteries.
C) They reduce blood pressure by increasing peripheral resistance.
D) They block the effects of adrenaline on the heart. - ANSWER Answer and
Rationale:
D) They block the effects of adrenaline on the heart.
, Rationale: Beta blockers, as the name suggests, block the effects of adrenaline
(epinephrine) on the heart. This results in a decreased heart rate, reduced
contractility, and lowered blood pressure. They are commonly used to treat
conditions such as hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias by reducing the
workload on the heart.
A nurse is providing education to a patient who is scheduled to undergo a valve
replacement surgery. The patient asks the nurse about the types of valve
replacements. Which response by the nurse is accurate?
A) "There is only one type of valve replacement, and it's made of synthetic
materials."
B) "There are two types of valve replacements: mechanical and bioprosthetic
(tissue) valves."
C) "Valve replacements are classified into three types: mechanical, biological,
and natural."
D) "Valve replacements come in four different types: metal, plastic, tissue, and
ceramic." - ANSWER Answer: B) "There are two types of valve replacements:
mechanical and bioprosthetic (tissue) valves."
Rationale: Valve replacements can be mechanical (usually made of metal or
plastic) or bioprosthetic (tissue valves, often from pigs or cows). This
information is essential for patients to understand the options and potential
differences in valve replacement types.
A nurse is assessing a patient with mitral stenosis. Which clinical manifestation
is most characteristic of this condition?
A) Chest pain radiating to the left arm
B) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
C) Hypertension with severe headache
D) Irregular heart rhythm with palpitations - ANSWER Answer: B) Paroxysmal
nocturnal dyspnea
Rationale: Mitral stenosis is characterized by the narrowing of the mitral valve,
which impedes blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. This can lead
to symptoms such as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, which is sudden
breathlessness that occurs at night when the patient is lying flat.
Which of the following routes is the primary mode of entry for bacteria causing
infective endocarditis?
a) Direct inoculation through open wounds
b) Inhalation of contaminated air
c) Hematogenous spread from other infections
d) Ingestion of contaminated food - ANSWER Answer: c) Hematogenous spread
from other infections
Rationale: Infective endocarditis typically results from the hematogenous
spread of bacteria from other infections in the body.
COMPLETE ANSWERS
A patient is admitted to the cardiac unit with a heart rate of 55 beats per minute,
and an ECG strip shows sinus bradycardia. The nurse should prioritize which
intervention?
A) Administer an antiarrhythmic medication.
B) Prepare for synchronized cardioversion.
C) Provide patient education about bradycardia.
D) Start oxygen therapy immediately. - ANSWER Answer and Rationale:
C) Provide patient education about bradycardia.
Rationale: Bradycardia is a slow heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute.
In sinus bradycardia without symptoms, the priority is patient education rather
than immediate intervention. The patient should be educated about bradycardia,
its potential causes, and signs to watch for. If the patient becomes symptomatic
or the heart rate drops significantly, further interventions may be necessary.
A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation (AFib) is admitted to the cardiac unit.
The nurse knows that pharmacologic management for AFib typically includes:
A) Administering beta blockers.
B) Performing electrical cardioversion.
C) Initiating thrombolytic therapy.
D) Starting intravenous magnesium. - ANSWER Answer and Rationale:
A) Administering beta blockers.
Rationale: Pharmacologic management of atrial fibrillation often involves
medications to control the heart rate and rhythm. Beta blockers are commonly
used to slow the heart rate in AFib, helping to reduce symptoms and prevent
complications like stroke. Other interventions, such as electrical cardioversion,
may be considered in certain cases, but beta blockers are a common initial
approach.
In general cardiac pharmacology, beta blockers are often prescribed for various
cardiac conditions. Which of the following statements accurately describes the
action of beta blockers?
A) They increase heart rate and contractility.
B) They dilate coronary arteries.
C) They reduce blood pressure by increasing peripheral resistance.
D) They block the effects of adrenaline on the heart. - ANSWER Answer and
Rationale:
D) They block the effects of adrenaline on the heart.
, Rationale: Beta blockers, as the name suggests, block the effects of adrenaline
(epinephrine) on the heart. This results in a decreased heart rate, reduced
contractility, and lowered blood pressure. They are commonly used to treat
conditions such as hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias by reducing the
workload on the heart.
A nurse is providing education to a patient who is scheduled to undergo a valve
replacement surgery. The patient asks the nurse about the types of valve
replacements. Which response by the nurse is accurate?
A) "There is only one type of valve replacement, and it's made of synthetic
materials."
B) "There are two types of valve replacements: mechanical and bioprosthetic
(tissue) valves."
C) "Valve replacements are classified into three types: mechanical, biological,
and natural."
D) "Valve replacements come in four different types: metal, plastic, tissue, and
ceramic." - ANSWER Answer: B) "There are two types of valve replacements:
mechanical and bioprosthetic (tissue) valves."
Rationale: Valve replacements can be mechanical (usually made of metal or
plastic) or bioprosthetic (tissue valves, often from pigs or cows). This
information is essential for patients to understand the options and potential
differences in valve replacement types.
A nurse is assessing a patient with mitral stenosis. Which clinical manifestation
is most characteristic of this condition?
A) Chest pain radiating to the left arm
B) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
C) Hypertension with severe headache
D) Irregular heart rhythm with palpitations - ANSWER Answer: B) Paroxysmal
nocturnal dyspnea
Rationale: Mitral stenosis is characterized by the narrowing of the mitral valve,
which impedes blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. This can lead
to symptoms such as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, which is sudden
breathlessness that occurs at night when the patient is lying flat.
Which of the following routes is the primary mode of entry for bacteria causing
infective endocarditis?
a) Direct inoculation through open wounds
b) Inhalation of contaminated air
c) Hematogenous spread from other infections
d) Ingestion of contaminated food - ANSWER Answer: c) Hematogenous spread
from other infections
Rationale: Infective endocarditis typically results from the hematogenous
spread of bacteria from other infections in the body.
