ATI CARDIAC EXAM/ 80
QUESTIONS with 100% Correct
Answers(2023/2024)
You are reviewing the chart of a PT who is receiving heparin therapy for
a DVT. Which intervention should the RN anticipate taking if the PTs
aPTT is 96 seconds?
1. Increase heparin infusion rate by 2mL/hr
2. Continue monitor the heparin infusion as prescribed
3. Request a prothrombin time PT
4. Stop the heparin infusion - -4. Stop the heparin infusion- pt is above
the therapeutic range of 1-5-2 times the control. should discontinue to
prevent harm
-You are providing teaching to a PT who is 2 days post op following a
heart transplant. Which following statements should the nurse include in
the teaching?
1. You may no longer be able to feel chest pain
2. Your level of activity intolerance will not change
3. after 6 months you will no longer need to restrict you Na
4. You will be able to stop taking immunosuppressants after 12 months -
-1. You may no longer be able to feel chest pain- transplant PTs no
longer feel chest pain due to denervation of the heart
-ER nurse is assessing PT with bradydysrhythmia. Which finding should
he expect?
1. Confusion
2. Friction Rub
3. HTN
4. Dry skin - -1. Confusion- as a result of decreased tissue perfusion
-You are caring for a PT who had an anterior MI. PTs hx shows she is 1
wk post op open cholecystectomy the RN knows that which intervention
is contraindicated?
1. Administering IV morphine
2. giving O2 at 2L NC
3. Helping client to BSC
4. Assisting in thrombolytic therapy - -4. Assisting in thrombolytic
therapy- having surgery within 3 wks is a contraindication for
thrombolytic therapy
-You are caring for a PT who has endocarditis. Which finding should you
recognize as a complication?
,1. Ventricular depolarization
2. Guillain Barre Syndrome
3. Myelodysplastic syndrome
4. Valvular disease - -4. Valvular disease- damage will occur as a result
of inflammation or infection of the endocardium
-You are caring for PT with BP of 254/139, you recognize the PT is in a
hypertensive crisis. Which action should you take first?
1. Obtain blood samples for testing
2. Tell the PT to report vision changes
3. Place HOB at 45 degrees
4. Initiate IV access - -3. Place HOB at 45 degrees-ABC's this will
promote respiratory status and promote venous return reducing
workload on heart
**Initiate IV access- not first action
-When performing a cardiac assessment what is the point of maximal
impulse?
1. 2nd intercostal space right to the sternum
2. 2nd intercostal space left to the sternum
3. 5th intercostal space to the left of thermal border
4. Left 5th intercostal space in the midclavicular line - -4. Left 5th
intercostal space in the midclavicular line-this is best to hear the apex of
the heart which is considered maximal impulse
-You are caring for a PT who is experiencing Afib. You should report
what finding to the provider?
1. Slurred speech
2. Irregular pulse
3. Dependent edema
4. Persistant fatigue - -1. Slurred speech- greatest risk is an embolus
and this can indicate embolus
-You are assessing a PT with Left sided heart failure. What
manifestation should you expect to find?
1. Increased abdominal girth
2. Weak peripheral pulses
3. Jugular venous neck distention
4. Dependent edema - -2. Weak peripheral pulses- r/t decreased CO
from LSHF
-You are caring for a PT who is being treated for HF and has
prescriptions for digoxin and furosemide. You plan to monitor for which
of the following as an adverse effect of these meds?
, 1. SOB
2. Lightheadedness
3. Dry cough
4. Metallic taste - -2. Lightheadedness- can cause a sudden drop in BP=
lightheadedness
-You are monitoring a PT following coronary bypass graft surgery
(CABG). Which finding indicates cardiac tamponade?
1. Sternal instability
2. Increased WBC count
3. BP of 140/82 on inspiration and 154/90 on expiration
4. Sinus rhythm with occasional premature atrial contractions and HR 88
- -3. BP of 140/82 on inspiration and 154/90 on expiration= pulses
paradoxus
-What is Pulsus Paradoxus? - -When the systolic BP is 10 points higher
on expiration than on inspiration
**This is indicative of cardiac tamponade
-You are preparing PT for coronary angiography. You should report what
finding to the provider prior to procedure?
1. Hgb 14.4
2. HX: PAD peripheral arterial disease
3. UOP of 200ml in 4 hr
4. Previous allergic reaction to shell fish - -4. Previous allergic reaction
to shell fish- shellfish reaction will often react to iodine
-You are caring for a PT following insertion of a permanent pacemaker.
Which PT statement indicates a potential complication of the insertion
procedure?
1. I can't get rid of these hiccups
2. I feel dizzy when i stand
3. My incision stings
4. i have a headache - -1. I can't get rid of these hiccups-can indicate
the pacemaker is stimulating the chest wall or diaphragm indicating
wire lead perforation
-You are providing discharge teaching to a PT who has a prescription for
the transdermal nitroglycerin patch. Which instruction would you
include?
1. Apply new patch to the same site as the previous patch.
2. Place the new patch on an area skin away from skin folds and joints
3. Keep the patch on 24 hr per day
QUESTIONS with 100% Correct
Answers(2023/2024)
You are reviewing the chart of a PT who is receiving heparin therapy for
a DVT. Which intervention should the RN anticipate taking if the PTs
aPTT is 96 seconds?
1. Increase heparin infusion rate by 2mL/hr
2. Continue monitor the heparin infusion as prescribed
3. Request a prothrombin time PT
4. Stop the heparin infusion - -4. Stop the heparin infusion- pt is above
the therapeutic range of 1-5-2 times the control. should discontinue to
prevent harm
-You are providing teaching to a PT who is 2 days post op following a
heart transplant. Which following statements should the nurse include in
the teaching?
1. You may no longer be able to feel chest pain
2. Your level of activity intolerance will not change
3. after 6 months you will no longer need to restrict you Na
4. You will be able to stop taking immunosuppressants after 12 months -
-1. You may no longer be able to feel chest pain- transplant PTs no
longer feel chest pain due to denervation of the heart
-ER nurse is assessing PT with bradydysrhythmia. Which finding should
he expect?
1. Confusion
2. Friction Rub
3. HTN
4. Dry skin - -1. Confusion- as a result of decreased tissue perfusion
-You are caring for a PT who had an anterior MI. PTs hx shows she is 1
wk post op open cholecystectomy the RN knows that which intervention
is contraindicated?
1. Administering IV morphine
2. giving O2 at 2L NC
3. Helping client to BSC
4. Assisting in thrombolytic therapy - -4. Assisting in thrombolytic
therapy- having surgery within 3 wks is a contraindication for
thrombolytic therapy
-You are caring for a PT who has endocarditis. Which finding should you
recognize as a complication?
,1. Ventricular depolarization
2. Guillain Barre Syndrome
3. Myelodysplastic syndrome
4. Valvular disease - -4. Valvular disease- damage will occur as a result
of inflammation or infection of the endocardium
-You are caring for PT with BP of 254/139, you recognize the PT is in a
hypertensive crisis. Which action should you take first?
1. Obtain blood samples for testing
2. Tell the PT to report vision changes
3. Place HOB at 45 degrees
4. Initiate IV access - -3. Place HOB at 45 degrees-ABC's this will
promote respiratory status and promote venous return reducing
workload on heart
**Initiate IV access- not first action
-When performing a cardiac assessment what is the point of maximal
impulse?
1. 2nd intercostal space right to the sternum
2. 2nd intercostal space left to the sternum
3. 5th intercostal space to the left of thermal border
4. Left 5th intercostal space in the midclavicular line - -4. Left 5th
intercostal space in the midclavicular line-this is best to hear the apex of
the heart which is considered maximal impulse
-You are caring for a PT who is experiencing Afib. You should report
what finding to the provider?
1. Slurred speech
2. Irregular pulse
3. Dependent edema
4. Persistant fatigue - -1. Slurred speech- greatest risk is an embolus
and this can indicate embolus
-You are assessing a PT with Left sided heart failure. What
manifestation should you expect to find?
1. Increased abdominal girth
2. Weak peripheral pulses
3. Jugular venous neck distention
4. Dependent edema - -2. Weak peripheral pulses- r/t decreased CO
from LSHF
-You are caring for a PT who is being treated for HF and has
prescriptions for digoxin and furosemide. You plan to monitor for which
of the following as an adverse effect of these meds?
, 1. SOB
2. Lightheadedness
3. Dry cough
4. Metallic taste - -2. Lightheadedness- can cause a sudden drop in BP=
lightheadedness
-You are monitoring a PT following coronary bypass graft surgery
(CABG). Which finding indicates cardiac tamponade?
1. Sternal instability
2. Increased WBC count
3. BP of 140/82 on inspiration and 154/90 on expiration
4. Sinus rhythm with occasional premature atrial contractions and HR 88
- -3. BP of 140/82 on inspiration and 154/90 on expiration= pulses
paradoxus
-What is Pulsus Paradoxus? - -When the systolic BP is 10 points higher
on expiration than on inspiration
**This is indicative of cardiac tamponade
-You are preparing PT for coronary angiography. You should report what
finding to the provider prior to procedure?
1. Hgb 14.4
2. HX: PAD peripheral arterial disease
3. UOP of 200ml in 4 hr
4. Previous allergic reaction to shell fish - -4. Previous allergic reaction
to shell fish- shellfish reaction will often react to iodine
-You are caring for a PT following insertion of a permanent pacemaker.
Which PT statement indicates a potential complication of the insertion
procedure?
1. I can't get rid of these hiccups
2. I feel dizzy when i stand
3. My incision stings
4. i have a headache - -1. I can't get rid of these hiccups-can indicate
the pacemaker is stimulating the chest wall or diaphragm indicating
wire lead perforation
-You are providing discharge teaching to a PT who has a prescription for
the transdermal nitroglycerin patch. Which instruction would you
include?
1. Apply new patch to the same site as the previous patch.
2. Place the new patch on an area skin away from skin folds and joints
3. Keep the patch on 24 hr per day
