NR 340 CRITICAL CARE NURSING
Cardiac Concepts
Latest Review Exam
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient with acute myocardial infarction is experiencing severe chest
pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Morphine sulfate
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Furosemide
D. Metoprolol
Answer: A. Morphine sulfate
Rationale: Morphine sulfate is an opioid analgesic that helps to decrease
myocardial oxygen demand, reduce preload and afterload, and alleviate
pain, which is crucial in the management of acute myocardial infarction.
2. During the assessment of a patient with pericarditis, the nurse expects to
find which clinical manifestation?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. A friction rub
C. Pulsus paradoxus
D. Kussmaul's sign
Answer: B. A friction rub
Rationale: A friction rub is a classic sign of pericarditis and is caused by
the inflamed layers of the pericardium rubbing against each other.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient post-cardiac catheterization. Which
finding would require immediate intervention?
A. A small hematoma at the catheter insertion site
B. A pulse distal to the catheter insertion site
C. Complaints of mild discomfort at the insertion site
D. Bleeding from the catheter insertion site
Answer: D. Bleeding from the catheter insertion site
Rationale: Bleeding from the catheter insertion site can indicate vascular
complications and requires immediate intervention to prevent significant
blood loss and other complications.
4. When planning care for a patient with congestive heart failure, which
goal is the priority?
A. Enhance myocardial oxygenation
B. Increase activity tolerance
, C. Promote fluid excretion
D. Reduce anxiety
Answer: A. Enhance myocardial oxygenation
Rationale: Enhancing myocardial oxygenation addresses the primary
problem in congestive heart failure and helps to improve cardiac function
and reduce symptoms.
5. A nurse is evaluating a patient's response to digoxin therapy. Which
finding would suggest digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate of 60 bpm
B. Potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L
C. Vision changes such as seeing yellow halos
D. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
Answer: C. Vision changes such as seeing yellow halos
Rationale: Vision changes, particularly seeing yellow halos, are a classic
sign of digoxin toxicity, along with other symptoms such as nausea,
vomiting, and arrhythmias.
6. A patient with a history of chronic atrial fibrillation is scheduled for
elective cardioversion. What is the most important pre-procedure
assessment?
A. Confirming anticoagulation therapy
B. Checking serum electrolytes
C. Ensuring NPO status for 8 hours
D. Performing a chest x-ray
Answer: A. Confirming anticoagulation therapy
Rationale: Anticoagulation therapy is essential before cardioversion to
reduce the risk of thromboembolic events, as atrial fibrillation increases
the risk of clot formation.
7. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with cardiogenic
shock?
A. Administration of a beta-blocker
B. High-flow oxygen therapy
C. Intravenous administration of a vasodilator
D. Placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump
Answer: D. Placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump
Rationale: An intra-aortic balloon pump is used to decrease myocardial
Cardiac Concepts
Latest Review Exam
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient with acute myocardial infarction is experiencing severe chest
pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Morphine sulfate
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Furosemide
D. Metoprolol
Answer: A. Morphine sulfate
Rationale: Morphine sulfate is an opioid analgesic that helps to decrease
myocardial oxygen demand, reduce preload and afterload, and alleviate
pain, which is crucial in the management of acute myocardial infarction.
2. During the assessment of a patient with pericarditis, the nurse expects to
find which clinical manifestation?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. A friction rub
C. Pulsus paradoxus
D. Kussmaul's sign
Answer: B. A friction rub
Rationale: A friction rub is a classic sign of pericarditis and is caused by
the inflamed layers of the pericardium rubbing against each other.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient post-cardiac catheterization. Which
finding would require immediate intervention?
A. A small hematoma at the catheter insertion site
B. A pulse distal to the catheter insertion site
C. Complaints of mild discomfort at the insertion site
D. Bleeding from the catheter insertion site
Answer: D. Bleeding from the catheter insertion site
Rationale: Bleeding from the catheter insertion site can indicate vascular
complications and requires immediate intervention to prevent significant
blood loss and other complications.
4. When planning care for a patient with congestive heart failure, which
goal is the priority?
A. Enhance myocardial oxygenation
B. Increase activity tolerance
, C. Promote fluid excretion
D. Reduce anxiety
Answer: A. Enhance myocardial oxygenation
Rationale: Enhancing myocardial oxygenation addresses the primary
problem in congestive heart failure and helps to improve cardiac function
and reduce symptoms.
5. A nurse is evaluating a patient's response to digoxin therapy. Which
finding would suggest digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate of 60 bpm
B. Potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L
C. Vision changes such as seeing yellow halos
D. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
Answer: C. Vision changes such as seeing yellow halos
Rationale: Vision changes, particularly seeing yellow halos, are a classic
sign of digoxin toxicity, along with other symptoms such as nausea,
vomiting, and arrhythmias.
6. A patient with a history of chronic atrial fibrillation is scheduled for
elective cardioversion. What is the most important pre-procedure
assessment?
A. Confirming anticoagulation therapy
B. Checking serum electrolytes
C. Ensuring NPO status for 8 hours
D. Performing a chest x-ray
Answer: A. Confirming anticoagulation therapy
Rationale: Anticoagulation therapy is essential before cardioversion to
reduce the risk of thromboembolic events, as atrial fibrillation increases
the risk of clot formation.
7. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with cardiogenic
shock?
A. Administration of a beta-blocker
B. High-flow oxygen therapy
C. Intravenous administration of a vasodilator
D. Placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump
Answer: D. Placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump
Rationale: An intra-aortic balloon pump is used to decrease myocardial
