NSG 4067: CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION
1. Which of the following individuals is likely at the highest risk for orthostatic hypotension?
A) A 75-year-old woman who uses a walker
B) An 80-year-old man who strains to void when using the bedside commode
C) A 60-year-old who has a long leg cast on his right leg
D) An 80-year-old woman who is taking Premarin
Ans: B
Feedback:
Orthostatic hypotension rises significantly after the age of 75. A risk factor for orthostatic
hypotension is doing a Valsalva maneuver while voiding.
2. Which of the following statements by an older adult indicates the need for further teaching
related to cholesterol reduction?
A) "I will decrease my intake of food high in polyunsaturated fatty acids."
B) "I will increase my intake of soybeans, walnuts, and canola oil."
C) "I will eat fish four times a week."
D) "I will limit my intake of trans fatty acids and saturated fat."
Ans: A
Feedback:
Nutritional interventions for cholesterol reduction limit foods containing saturated fats and trans
fatty acids and increase foods that are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
3. An older adult is admitted to the emergency department with dyspnea and a sudden change in
level of consciousness. The nurse should assess first for which of the following disorders?
A) Myocarditis
B) Aortic aneurysm
C) Cor pulmonale
D) Myocardial infarction
Ans: D
Feedback:
Compared with younger adults, older adults experiencing a myocardial infarction are more likely
to have dyspnea or neurologic symptoms, rather than chest discomfort. Older adults with angina
and acute myocardial infarction are more likely to have subtle and unusual manifestations.
, 4. Which of the following considerations should a nurse prioritize when assessing an older adult
who has arrhythmias?
A) Assess the client for adverse medication reactions.
B) Check the client's electrolytes immediately.
C) Make an assessment in relation to the client's medical history.
D) Perform auscultation before collecting the client's history.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Murmurs and arrhythmias may be caused by cardiac diseases, electrolyte imbalances, or adverse
medication effects. It is important to make an assessment of underlying causes in relation to the
client's medical history.
5. Which of the following is the most important remediable risk factor for cardiovascular disease
in older adults?
A) Smoking
B) Stress
C) Sedentary lifestyle
D) Aggressive personality
Ans: A
Feedback:
Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Benefits of smoking cessation as a
secondary prevention intervention begin immediately and are as effective in older adults as they
are in younger people. Additional lifestyle interventions that are effective for preventing
cardiovascular disease include remaining physically active, managing stress, and maintaining
ideal body weight.
6. Older adults experience a number of changes in the structure or function of their
cardiovascular system. Which of the following changes is considered to be a normal, age-related
change?
A) Veins become thinner and more elastic.
B) Regulation of blood pressure and heart rate becomes less efficient.
C) Heart valves become atrophied and regurgitation occurs.
D) Heart rate becomes slower and ejection fraction increases.
Ans: B
1. Which of the following individuals is likely at the highest risk for orthostatic hypotension?
A) A 75-year-old woman who uses a walker
B) An 80-year-old man who strains to void when using the bedside commode
C) A 60-year-old who has a long leg cast on his right leg
D) An 80-year-old woman who is taking Premarin
Ans: B
Feedback:
Orthostatic hypotension rises significantly after the age of 75. A risk factor for orthostatic
hypotension is doing a Valsalva maneuver while voiding.
2. Which of the following statements by an older adult indicates the need for further teaching
related to cholesterol reduction?
A) "I will decrease my intake of food high in polyunsaturated fatty acids."
B) "I will increase my intake of soybeans, walnuts, and canola oil."
C) "I will eat fish four times a week."
D) "I will limit my intake of trans fatty acids and saturated fat."
Ans: A
Feedback:
Nutritional interventions for cholesterol reduction limit foods containing saturated fats and trans
fatty acids and increase foods that are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
3. An older adult is admitted to the emergency department with dyspnea and a sudden change in
level of consciousness. The nurse should assess first for which of the following disorders?
A) Myocarditis
B) Aortic aneurysm
C) Cor pulmonale
D) Myocardial infarction
Ans: D
Feedback:
Compared with younger adults, older adults experiencing a myocardial infarction are more likely
to have dyspnea or neurologic symptoms, rather than chest discomfort. Older adults with angina
and acute myocardial infarction are more likely to have subtle and unusual manifestations.
, 4. Which of the following considerations should a nurse prioritize when assessing an older adult
who has arrhythmias?
A) Assess the client for adverse medication reactions.
B) Check the client's electrolytes immediately.
C) Make an assessment in relation to the client's medical history.
D) Perform auscultation before collecting the client's history.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Murmurs and arrhythmias may be caused by cardiac diseases, electrolyte imbalances, or adverse
medication effects. It is important to make an assessment of underlying causes in relation to the
client's medical history.
5. Which of the following is the most important remediable risk factor for cardiovascular disease
in older adults?
A) Smoking
B) Stress
C) Sedentary lifestyle
D) Aggressive personality
Ans: A
Feedback:
Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Benefits of smoking cessation as a
secondary prevention intervention begin immediately and are as effective in older adults as they
are in younger people. Additional lifestyle interventions that are effective for preventing
cardiovascular disease include remaining physically active, managing stress, and maintaining
ideal body weight.
6. Older adults experience a number of changes in the structure or function of their
cardiovascular system. Which of the following changes is considered to be a normal, age-related
change?
A) Veins become thinner and more elastic.
B) Regulation of blood pressure and heart rate becomes less efficient.
C) Heart valves become atrophied and regurgitation occurs.
D) Heart rate becomes slower and ejection fraction increases.
Ans: B
