ATI EXAM: CARDIAC & ASSOCIATED RISK
DISORDERS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
LATEST UPDATE | 100% VERIFIED
SECTION 1 – Hypertension & Risk Factors (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is teaching a client with newly diagnosed hypertension.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will stop my medication when my blood pressure is normal.”
B. “I will check my blood pressure only when I have a headache.”
C. “I will limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day.”
D. “I will take my medication every other day to avoid side
effects.”
Answer: C
Rationale: The 2020 ACC/AHA guidelines recommend <2,300 mg
sodium/day for hypertension management. Stopping meds or taking
inconsistently leads to rebound hypertension. Daily home monitoring
is preferred, not just when symptomatic.
,2. A client with stage 2 hypertension (168/98 mm Hg) is
prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum glucose
Answer: B
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics cause hypokalemia (potassium
wasting), increasing risk for arrhythmias. Sodium and glucose may
be affected but potassium is the priority.
3. A nurse is assessing a client for secondary causes of
hypertension. Which finding is most indicative of primary
hyperaldosteronism?
A. Low renin, high aldosterone, hypokalemia
B. High renin, low aldosterone, hyperkalemia
C. Elevated plasma metanephrines
D. Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone
Answer: A
Rationale: Primary aldosteronism = low renin, high aldosterone,
hypokalemia, hypertension. Pheochromocytoma = elevated
metanephrines. Thyroid issues cause different patterns.
,4. A client asks about the DASH diet. Which meal best follows
DASH recommendations?
A. Cheeseburger, fries, diet soda
B. Grilled salmon, quinoa, steamed broccoli, orange
C. Bacon, eggs, white toast, coffee
D. Pasta with Alfredo sauce, garlic bread
Answer: B
Rationale: DASH emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean
protein, low sodium. Salmon provides omega-3s; broccoli and quinoa
are high potassium/magnesium.
*(Continue similarly for 5–20 covering: hypertensive urgency vs
emergency, ACE inhibitor side effects (cough, angioedema), ARBs,
CCBs, beta-blocker precautions, African American hypertension
treatment, resistant hypertension, lifestyle modifications.)*
SECTION 2 – Hyperlipidemia & Atherosclerosis (Questions 21–35)
21. A client’s lipid panel shows LDL 190 mg/dL, HDL 35 mg/dL,
triglycerides 250 mg/dL. Which medication is first-line?
A. Ezetimibe
B. Atorvastatin
C. Fenofibrate
D. Niacin
Answer: B
Rationale: High-intensity statin is first-line for LDL ≥190 mg/dL
, (ACC/AHA guidelines). Fibrates lower triglycerides; niacin is
adjunct; ezetimibe added if statin insufficient.
22. A client taking atorvastatin reports muscle pain and dark urine.
What is the priority action?
A. Give acetaminophen and continue statin
B. Obtain creatinine kinase level and notify provider
C. Switch to rosuvastatin immediately
D. Encourage increased fluid intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle pain + dark urine suggests rhabdomyolysis. CK
level confirms; statin should be held pending provider order.
23. Which lab value requires a fibrate to be used with extreme
caution?
A. LDL 130 mg/dL
B. HDL 30 mg/dL
C. Triglycerides 500 mg/dL
D. eGFR 35 mL/min
Answer: D
Rationale: Fibrates (gemfibrozil, fenofibrate) can worsen renal
impairment. eGFR <30 is contraindication; <60 requires dose
adjustment.
DISORDERS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
LATEST UPDATE | 100% VERIFIED
SECTION 1 – Hypertension & Risk Factors (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is teaching a client with newly diagnosed hypertension.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will stop my medication when my blood pressure is normal.”
B. “I will check my blood pressure only when I have a headache.”
C. “I will limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day.”
D. “I will take my medication every other day to avoid side
effects.”
Answer: C
Rationale: The 2020 ACC/AHA guidelines recommend <2,300 mg
sodium/day for hypertension management. Stopping meds or taking
inconsistently leads to rebound hypertension. Daily home monitoring
is preferred, not just when symptomatic.
,2. A client with stage 2 hypertension (168/98 mm Hg) is
prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum glucose
Answer: B
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics cause hypokalemia (potassium
wasting), increasing risk for arrhythmias. Sodium and glucose may
be affected but potassium is the priority.
3. A nurse is assessing a client for secondary causes of
hypertension. Which finding is most indicative of primary
hyperaldosteronism?
A. Low renin, high aldosterone, hypokalemia
B. High renin, low aldosterone, hyperkalemia
C. Elevated plasma metanephrines
D. Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone
Answer: A
Rationale: Primary aldosteronism = low renin, high aldosterone,
hypokalemia, hypertension. Pheochromocytoma = elevated
metanephrines. Thyroid issues cause different patterns.
,4. A client asks about the DASH diet. Which meal best follows
DASH recommendations?
A. Cheeseburger, fries, diet soda
B. Grilled salmon, quinoa, steamed broccoli, orange
C. Bacon, eggs, white toast, coffee
D. Pasta with Alfredo sauce, garlic bread
Answer: B
Rationale: DASH emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean
protein, low sodium. Salmon provides omega-3s; broccoli and quinoa
are high potassium/magnesium.
*(Continue similarly for 5–20 covering: hypertensive urgency vs
emergency, ACE inhibitor side effects (cough, angioedema), ARBs,
CCBs, beta-blocker precautions, African American hypertension
treatment, resistant hypertension, lifestyle modifications.)*
SECTION 2 – Hyperlipidemia & Atherosclerosis (Questions 21–35)
21. A client’s lipid panel shows LDL 190 mg/dL, HDL 35 mg/dL,
triglycerides 250 mg/dL. Which medication is first-line?
A. Ezetimibe
B. Atorvastatin
C. Fenofibrate
D. Niacin
Answer: B
Rationale: High-intensity statin is first-line for LDL ≥190 mg/dL
, (ACC/AHA guidelines). Fibrates lower triglycerides; niacin is
adjunct; ezetimibe added if statin insufficient.
22. A client taking atorvastatin reports muscle pain and dark urine.
What is the priority action?
A. Give acetaminophen and continue statin
B. Obtain creatinine kinase level and notify provider
C. Switch to rosuvastatin immediately
D. Encourage increased fluid intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle pain + dark urine suggests rhabdomyolysis. CK
level confirms; statin should be held pending provider order.
23. Which lab value requires a fibrate to be used with extreme
caution?
A. LDL 130 mg/dL
B. HDL 30 mg/dL
C. Triglycerides 500 mg/dL
D. eGFR 35 mL/min
Answer: D
Rationale: Fibrates (gemfibrozil, fenofibrate) can worsen renal
impairment. eGFR <30 is contraindication; <60 requires dose
adjustment.
