NURS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS WEEK 1
Which of the following blood vessel layers may be damaged in a client with an
aneurysm?
A. Externa
B. Interna
C. Media
D. Interna and Media
The factor common to all types of aneurysms is damaged media. The media has more
smooth muscle and less elastic fibers, so it’s more capable of vasoconstriction and
vasodilation. The interna and externa are generally not damaged in an aneurysm.
When assessing a client for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which area of the
abdomen is most commonly palpated?
A. Right upper quadrant
B. Directly over the umbilicus
C. Middle lower abdomen to the left of the midline
D. Midline lower abdomen to the right of the midline
The aorta lies directly left of the umbilicus; therefore, any other region is
inappropriate for palpation.
Which of the following conditions is linked to more than 50% of clients with
abdominal aortic aneurysms?
A. DM
B. HPN
C. PVD
D. Syphilis
Continuous pressure on the vessel walls from hypertension causes the walls to
weaken and an aneurysm to occur. Atherosclerotic changes can occur with
peripheral vascular diseases and are linked to aneurysms, but the link isn’t as strong
as it is with hypertension. Only 1% of clients with syphilis experience an aneurysm.
Diabetes mellitus doesn’t have a direct link to aneurysm.
, Which of the following sounds is distinctly heard on auscultation over the abdominal
region of an abdominal aortic aneurysm client?
a. Bruit b. Crackles c. Dullness d. Friction rubs
A bruit, a vascular sound resembling a heart murmur, suggests partial arterial
occlusion. Crackles are indicative of fluid in the lungs. Dullness is heard over
solid organs, such as the liver. Friction rubs indicate inflammation of the
peritoneal surface.
Which of the following groups of symptoms indicated a ruptured abdominal
aneurysm?
A. Lower back pain, increased BP, decreased RBC, increased WBC
B. Severe lower back pain, decreased BP, decreased RBC, increased WBC
C. Severe lower back pain, decreased BP, decreased RBC, decreased WBC
D. Intermittent lower back pain, decreased BP, decreased RBC, increased WBC
Severe lower back pain indicates an aneurysm rupture, secondary to pressure
being applied within the abdominal cavity. When rupture occurs, the pain is
constant because it can’t be alleviated until the aneurysm is repaired. Blood
pressure decreases due to the loss of blood. After the aneurysm ruptures, the
vasculature is interrupted and blood volume is lost, so blood pressure wouldn’t
increase. For the same reason, the RBC count is decreased – not increased. The
WBC count increases as cells migrate to the site of injury.
Which of the following complications of an abdominal aortic repair is indicated by the
detection of a hematoma in the perineal area?
A. Hernia
B. Stage 1 pressure ulcer
C. Retroperitoneal rupture at the repair site
D. The rapid expansion of the aneurysm
Blood collects in the retroperitoneal space and is exhibited as a hematoma in the
perineal area. This rupture is most commonly caused by leakage at the repair site.
, A hernia doesn’t cause vascular disturbances, nor does a pressure ulcer. Because no
bleeding occurs with rapid expansion of the aneurysm, a hematoma won’t form.
• Which hereditary disease is most closely linked to aneurysm?
A. Cystic fibrosis
B. Lupus erythematosus
C. Marfan's syndrome
D. Myocardial infarction
Marfan’s syndrome results in the degeneration of the elastic fibers of the aortic
media. Therefore, clients with the syndrome are more likely to develop an aortic
aneurysm.
Although cystic fibrosis is hereditary, it hasn’t been linked to aneurysms.
Lupus erythematosus isn’t hereditary. Myocardial infarction is neither
hereditary nor a disease.
• Which of the following treatments is the definitive one for a ruptured aneurysm?
A. Antihypertensive medication administration
B. Aortogram
C. Beta-adrenergic blocker administration
D. Surgical intervention
When the vessel ruptures, surgery is the only intervention that can repair it.
Administration of antihypertensive medications and beta-adrenergic blockers can
help control hypertension, reducing the risk of rupture. An aortogram is a
diagnostic tool used to detect an aneurysm.
• Which of the following heart muscle diseases is unrelated to another
cardiovascular disease?
A. Cardiomyopathy
B. Coronary artery disease
C. Myocardial infarction
D. Pericardial Effusion
Cardiomyopathy isn’t usually related to an underlying heart disease such as
Which of the following blood vessel layers may be damaged in a client with an
aneurysm?
A. Externa
B. Interna
C. Media
D. Interna and Media
The factor common to all types of aneurysms is damaged media. The media has more
smooth muscle and less elastic fibers, so it’s more capable of vasoconstriction and
vasodilation. The interna and externa are generally not damaged in an aneurysm.
When assessing a client for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which area of the
abdomen is most commonly palpated?
A. Right upper quadrant
B. Directly over the umbilicus
C. Middle lower abdomen to the left of the midline
D. Midline lower abdomen to the right of the midline
The aorta lies directly left of the umbilicus; therefore, any other region is
inappropriate for palpation.
Which of the following conditions is linked to more than 50% of clients with
abdominal aortic aneurysms?
A. DM
B. HPN
C. PVD
D. Syphilis
Continuous pressure on the vessel walls from hypertension causes the walls to
weaken and an aneurysm to occur. Atherosclerotic changes can occur with
peripheral vascular diseases and are linked to aneurysms, but the link isn’t as strong
as it is with hypertension. Only 1% of clients with syphilis experience an aneurysm.
Diabetes mellitus doesn’t have a direct link to aneurysm.
, Which of the following sounds is distinctly heard on auscultation over the abdominal
region of an abdominal aortic aneurysm client?
a. Bruit b. Crackles c. Dullness d. Friction rubs
A bruit, a vascular sound resembling a heart murmur, suggests partial arterial
occlusion. Crackles are indicative of fluid in the lungs. Dullness is heard over
solid organs, such as the liver. Friction rubs indicate inflammation of the
peritoneal surface.
Which of the following groups of symptoms indicated a ruptured abdominal
aneurysm?
A. Lower back pain, increased BP, decreased RBC, increased WBC
B. Severe lower back pain, decreased BP, decreased RBC, increased WBC
C. Severe lower back pain, decreased BP, decreased RBC, decreased WBC
D. Intermittent lower back pain, decreased BP, decreased RBC, increased WBC
Severe lower back pain indicates an aneurysm rupture, secondary to pressure
being applied within the abdominal cavity. When rupture occurs, the pain is
constant because it can’t be alleviated until the aneurysm is repaired. Blood
pressure decreases due to the loss of blood. After the aneurysm ruptures, the
vasculature is interrupted and blood volume is lost, so blood pressure wouldn’t
increase. For the same reason, the RBC count is decreased – not increased. The
WBC count increases as cells migrate to the site of injury.
Which of the following complications of an abdominal aortic repair is indicated by the
detection of a hematoma in the perineal area?
A. Hernia
B. Stage 1 pressure ulcer
C. Retroperitoneal rupture at the repair site
D. The rapid expansion of the aneurysm
Blood collects in the retroperitoneal space and is exhibited as a hematoma in the
perineal area. This rupture is most commonly caused by leakage at the repair site.
, A hernia doesn’t cause vascular disturbances, nor does a pressure ulcer. Because no
bleeding occurs with rapid expansion of the aneurysm, a hematoma won’t form.
• Which hereditary disease is most closely linked to aneurysm?
A. Cystic fibrosis
B. Lupus erythematosus
C. Marfan's syndrome
D. Myocardial infarction
Marfan’s syndrome results in the degeneration of the elastic fibers of the aortic
media. Therefore, clients with the syndrome are more likely to develop an aortic
aneurysm.
Although cystic fibrosis is hereditary, it hasn’t been linked to aneurysms.
Lupus erythematosus isn’t hereditary. Myocardial infarction is neither
hereditary nor a disease.
• Which of the following treatments is the definitive one for a ruptured aneurysm?
A. Antihypertensive medication administration
B. Aortogram
C. Beta-adrenergic blocker administration
D. Surgical intervention
When the vessel ruptures, surgery is the only intervention that can repair it.
Administration of antihypertensive medications and beta-adrenergic blockers can
help control hypertension, reducing the risk of rupture. An aortogram is a
diagnostic tool used to detect an aneurysm.
• Which of the following heart muscle diseases is unrelated to another
cardiovascular disease?
A. Cardiomyopathy
B. Coronary artery disease
C. Myocardial infarction
D. Pericardial Effusion
Cardiomyopathy isn’t usually related to an underlying heart disease such as
