Cardiac Questions
Examination of a patient in a supine position reveals distended jugular veins from the base of the neck
to the angle of the jaw. This finding indicates:
a. decreased venous return.
b. increased central venous pressure.
c. increased pulmonary artery capillary pressure.
d. left-sided heart failure. -
b. increased central venous pressure.
When caring for a patient who has intermittent claudication, a cardiac/vascular nurse advises the
patient to:
a. apply graduated compression stockings before getting out of bed.
b. elevate the legs when sitting.
c. refrain from exercise.
d. walk as tolerated. -
d. walk as tolerated.
A cardiac/vascular nurse reviews recommended activities with a patient who sustained a myocardial
infarction. The patient states, "It doesn't really matter what I do or don't do. I will either get better or
die." This statement reflects:
a. acceptance of changed health status.
b. an internal locus of control.
c. feelings of loss of control.
d. projection. -
c. feelings of loss of control.
A patient who is in the 10th week of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation continues to exhibit symptoms of
depression. When developing a discharge plan, the cardiac/vascular nurse includes:
a. a referral for counseling and possible medication.
b. a trial of herbal remedies.
c. alternative therapies, including yoga and massage.
d. comprehensive information about the patient's cardiac status to help reduce his or her anxiety. -
a. a referral for counseling and possible medication.
When reviewing a patient's four-week diet history, a cardiac/vascular nurse identifies a pattern of high
calorie intake on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. The patient states that the patient's spouse
recently started taking a night class on those evenings at a local university. The patient's diet history
indicates:
a. a disabling family coping behavior.
b. a lack of dietary instruction.
, c. a need for cooking classes.
d. an individual coping behavior. -
d. an individual coping behavior.
A patient who underwent a percutaneous, transluminal coronary angioplasty four weeks ago has a
subsequent ejection fraction of 30%. The patient returns for a follow-up visit. Examination reveals
lungs that are clear to auscultation and slight pedal edema. The patient's medications are digoxin
(Lanoxin), furosemide (Lasix), enalapril maleate (Vasotec), and aspirin. The patient reports a 5-lb
(2.27-kg) weight gain over the past two days. The cardiac/vascular nurse's initial action is to:
a. document the weight and reassess the patient at the next session.
b. inquire about the patient's medication compliance.
c. notify the patient's physician.
d. review the patient's most recent nuclear scan. -
b. inquire about the patient's medication compliance.
Which is the primary consideration when preparing to administer thrombolytic therapy to a patient who
is experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
a. History of heart disease.
b. Sensitivity to aspirin.
c. Size and location of the MI.
d. Time since onset of symptoms. -
d. Time since onset of symptoms.
A 55-year-old patient who is diagnosed with an evolving myocardial infarction (MI) insists on going
home. The cardiac/vascular nurse encourages the patient to be admitted, because the greatest risk
within the first 24 hours of sustaining an MI is:
a. heart failure.
b. pulmonary embolism.
c. ventricular aneurysm.
d. ventricular fibrillation. -
d. ventricular fibrillation.
A patient comes to the emergency department with reports of a swollen and painful leg but denies
sustaining any injury. Physical examination reveals a tense calf muscle, decreased sensation to the foot
and leg, and absent pedal pulses. The cardiac/vascular nurse asks the patient when the symptoms
began, because:
a. a compartment syndrome develops days after an arterial occlusion.
b. an arterial thrombosis is sudden and emergent, and an embolism develops gradually.
c. irreversible anoxic injury to muscles and nerves can occur in as few as four hours.
d. metabolic alkalosis from muscle swelling is cardiotoxic. -
c. irreversible anoxic injury to muscles and nerves can occur in as few as four hours.
Examination of a patient in a supine position reveals distended jugular veins from the base of the neck
to the angle of the jaw. This finding indicates:
a. decreased venous return.
b. increased central venous pressure.
c. increased pulmonary artery capillary pressure.
d. left-sided heart failure. -
b. increased central venous pressure.
When caring for a patient who has intermittent claudication, a cardiac/vascular nurse advises the
patient to:
a. apply graduated compression stockings before getting out of bed.
b. elevate the legs when sitting.
c. refrain from exercise.
d. walk as tolerated. -
d. walk as tolerated.
A cardiac/vascular nurse reviews recommended activities with a patient who sustained a myocardial
infarction. The patient states, "It doesn't really matter what I do or don't do. I will either get better or
die." This statement reflects:
a. acceptance of changed health status.
b. an internal locus of control.
c. feelings of loss of control.
d. projection. -
c. feelings of loss of control.
A patient who is in the 10th week of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation continues to exhibit symptoms of
depression. When developing a discharge plan, the cardiac/vascular nurse includes:
a. a referral for counseling and possible medication.
b. a trial of herbal remedies.
c. alternative therapies, including yoga and massage.
d. comprehensive information about the patient's cardiac status to help reduce his or her anxiety. -
a. a referral for counseling and possible medication.
When reviewing a patient's four-week diet history, a cardiac/vascular nurse identifies a pattern of high
calorie intake on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. The patient states that the patient's spouse
recently started taking a night class on those evenings at a local university. The patient's diet history
indicates:
a. a disabling family coping behavior.
b. a lack of dietary instruction.
, c. a need for cooking classes.
d. an individual coping behavior. -
d. an individual coping behavior.
A patient who underwent a percutaneous, transluminal coronary angioplasty four weeks ago has a
subsequent ejection fraction of 30%. The patient returns for a follow-up visit. Examination reveals
lungs that are clear to auscultation and slight pedal edema. The patient's medications are digoxin
(Lanoxin), furosemide (Lasix), enalapril maleate (Vasotec), and aspirin. The patient reports a 5-lb
(2.27-kg) weight gain over the past two days. The cardiac/vascular nurse's initial action is to:
a. document the weight and reassess the patient at the next session.
b. inquire about the patient's medication compliance.
c. notify the patient's physician.
d. review the patient's most recent nuclear scan. -
b. inquire about the patient's medication compliance.
Which is the primary consideration when preparing to administer thrombolytic therapy to a patient who
is experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
a. History of heart disease.
b. Sensitivity to aspirin.
c. Size and location of the MI.
d. Time since onset of symptoms. -
d. Time since onset of symptoms.
A 55-year-old patient who is diagnosed with an evolving myocardial infarction (MI) insists on going
home. The cardiac/vascular nurse encourages the patient to be admitted, because the greatest risk
within the first 24 hours of sustaining an MI is:
a. heart failure.
b. pulmonary embolism.
c. ventricular aneurysm.
d. ventricular fibrillation. -
d. ventricular fibrillation.
A patient comes to the emergency department with reports of a swollen and painful leg but denies
sustaining any injury. Physical examination reveals a tense calf muscle, decreased sensation to the foot
and leg, and absent pedal pulses. The cardiac/vascular nurse asks the patient when the symptoms
began, because:
a. a compartment syndrome develops days after an arterial occlusion.
b. an arterial thrombosis is sudden and emergent, and an embolism develops gradually.
c. irreversible anoxic injury to muscles and nerves can occur in as few as four hours.
d. metabolic alkalosis from muscle swelling is cardiotoxic. -
c. irreversible anoxic injury to muscles and nerves can occur in as few as four hours.
