BSN 445 Week 5 Cardiovascular
Disorders Questions and All Correct
Answers 2025-2026 Updated.
Venous Thromboembolism and Hypertensive Emergency:
Question 1 of 5
Which statement would the nurse expect a patient with a deep vein thromboembolism to
make?
"The pain gets worse when I walk around the room."
"My leg feels like it is constantly burning."
"My calf hurts when I point my toes upward."
"I'm so glad this swelling in my legs went down." - Answer "The pain gets worse when I walk
around the room."
Pain from deep vein thrombosis worsens with ambulation and activity.
Question 2 of 5
Which test would be used to assess for the presence of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Select all
that apply. One, some, or all responses may be correct.
Radiographs
Ventilation-perfusion scan
D-dimer
Ultrasonography
Serum electrolytes - Answer D-dimer
The D-dimer test measures the presence of cross-linked fibrin derivatives in the serum. It is a
sensitive marker of thrombosis but it lacks specificity.
Ultrasonography
When DVT is suspected, noninvasive venous ultrasonography is typically performed to evaluate
vein patency.
Question 3 of 5
Which rationale will the nurse provide when a patient with a venous thromboembolism (VTE)
asks why heparin has been prescribed?
"This medication works to dissolve the clot in your leg."
,In the acute phase, VTE can be treated with intravenous heparin or subcutaneous low-
molecular-weight heparin, which can prevent new thrombi from forming.
Question 4 of 5
Which finding would the nurse immediately report to the health care provider when caring for a
patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg?
Unilateral leg swelling
Redness of the left leg
Elevated D-dimer
Increased respiratory rate - Answer Increased respiratory rate
Breathlessness, chest pain, and increased respiratory rate are all signs of pulmonary embolism
and would need to be reported immediately.
Question 5 of 5
Which medication would be used to prevent a venous thromboembolism (VT) in a critically ill
patient?
Aspirin
Fondaparinux
Vitamin K
High-dose heparin - Answer Fondaparinux
Pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin (subcutaneous
administration), fondaparinux, or rivaroxaban is recommended.
Question 1 of 4
The nurse would monitor for which potential complication when caring for a patient with
hypertensive emergency? Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses may be correct.
Acute myocardial infarction
Stroke
Infection
Pulmonary embolism
Renal failure - Answer Acute myocardial infarction
An acute myocardial infarction can occur if the myocardium experiences necrosis from an
oxygen supply and demand mismatch.
,Question 2 of 4
Match the hypertensive emergency trigger with the corresponding cause.
Aortic dissection
=Chest pain
Scleroderma
=Kidney failure
Malignant hypertension
=Papilledema
Eclampsia
=Seizures - Answer
Question 3 of 4
Which blood pressure value would meet the criteria for hypertensive emergency? Select all that
apply. One, some, or all responses may be correct.
150/95 mm Hg
200/110 mm Hg
190/130 mm Hg
225/125 mm Hg
182/121 mm Hg - Answer 190/130 mm Hg
A patient with a hypertensive emergency would have a blood pressure greater than 180/120
mm Hg. The systolic and diastolic values of 190/130 mm Hg are greater than the threshold.
225/125 mm Hg
A blood pressure of 225/125 mm Hg is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and therefore meets the
criteria for a hypertensive emergency.
182/121 mm Hg
A patient with a hypertensive emergency would have a blood pressure greater than 180/120
mm Hg. A blood pressure of 182/121 mm Hg is greater than the threshold.
Question 4 of 4
Which medication would the nurse use to treat a hypertensive emergency related to eclampsia?
Sodium nitroprusside
, Hydralazine is the intravenous agent of choice in eclampsia because it does not cross the
placental barrier.
Question 1 of 6
The nurse is assessing a patient and notes that the right lower extremity is red, swollen, and
painful. Based on the assessment findings, which action would the nurse take?
Monitor for other signs of sepsis.
Ask the patient if there is a history of heart failure.
Notify the health care provider.
Apply pressure to the site and monitor for bleeding. - Answer Notify the health care provider.
The nurse would notify the health care provider and plan for imaging studies to assess for a
thromboembolism.
Question 2 of 6
Which patient statement indicates understanding of the methods used to prevent a venous
thromboembolism?
"I will keep my legs crossed when I am in bed."
"I should only wear the compression stockings for 2 hours."
"The aspirin will prevent me from getting a blood clot."
"The pneumatic compression boots will squeeze my legs." - Answer "The pneumatic
compression boots will squeeze my legs."
Pneumatic compression boots apply rhythmic pressure to the patient's legs to encourage blood
flow and prevent venous thrombosis.
Question 3 of 6
The nurse would plan to implement pharmacologic and mechanical deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
prophylaxis for which patient?
26-year-old anxious patient who paces the halls
48-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who has shortness of
breath
67-year-old hip fracture patient who is on bed rest
82-year-old patient with Alzheimer who moves around frequently - Answer 67-year-old hip
fracture patient who is on bed rest
Immobility, age, and long bone fractures all increase the risk of DVT; therefore, this patient
Disorders Questions and All Correct
Answers 2025-2026 Updated.
Venous Thromboembolism and Hypertensive Emergency:
Question 1 of 5
Which statement would the nurse expect a patient with a deep vein thromboembolism to
make?
"The pain gets worse when I walk around the room."
"My leg feels like it is constantly burning."
"My calf hurts when I point my toes upward."
"I'm so glad this swelling in my legs went down." - Answer "The pain gets worse when I walk
around the room."
Pain from deep vein thrombosis worsens with ambulation and activity.
Question 2 of 5
Which test would be used to assess for the presence of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Select all
that apply. One, some, or all responses may be correct.
Radiographs
Ventilation-perfusion scan
D-dimer
Ultrasonography
Serum electrolytes - Answer D-dimer
The D-dimer test measures the presence of cross-linked fibrin derivatives in the serum. It is a
sensitive marker of thrombosis but it lacks specificity.
Ultrasonography
When DVT is suspected, noninvasive venous ultrasonography is typically performed to evaluate
vein patency.
Question 3 of 5
Which rationale will the nurse provide when a patient with a venous thromboembolism (VTE)
asks why heparin has been prescribed?
"This medication works to dissolve the clot in your leg."
,In the acute phase, VTE can be treated with intravenous heparin or subcutaneous low-
molecular-weight heparin, which can prevent new thrombi from forming.
Question 4 of 5
Which finding would the nurse immediately report to the health care provider when caring for a
patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg?
Unilateral leg swelling
Redness of the left leg
Elevated D-dimer
Increased respiratory rate - Answer Increased respiratory rate
Breathlessness, chest pain, and increased respiratory rate are all signs of pulmonary embolism
and would need to be reported immediately.
Question 5 of 5
Which medication would be used to prevent a venous thromboembolism (VT) in a critically ill
patient?
Aspirin
Fondaparinux
Vitamin K
High-dose heparin - Answer Fondaparinux
Pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin (subcutaneous
administration), fondaparinux, or rivaroxaban is recommended.
Question 1 of 4
The nurse would monitor for which potential complication when caring for a patient with
hypertensive emergency? Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses may be correct.
Acute myocardial infarction
Stroke
Infection
Pulmonary embolism
Renal failure - Answer Acute myocardial infarction
An acute myocardial infarction can occur if the myocardium experiences necrosis from an
oxygen supply and demand mismatch.
,Question 2 of 4
Match the hypertensive emergency trigger with the corresponding cause.
Aortic dissection
=Chest pain
Scleroderma
=Kidney failure
Malignant hypertension
=Papilledema
Eclampsia
=Seizures - Answer
Question 3 of 4
Which blood pressure value would meet the criteria for hypertensive emergency? Select all that
apply. One, some, or all responses may be correct.
150/95 mm Hg
200/110 mm Hg
190/130 mm Hg
225/125 mm Hg
182/121 mm Hg - Answer 190/130 mm Hg
A patient with a hypertensive emergency would have a blood pressure greater than 180/120
mm Hg. The systolic and diastolic values of 190/130 mm Hg are greater than the threshold.
225/125 mm Hg
A blood pressure of 225/125 mm Hg is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and therefore meets the
criteria for a hypertensive emergency.
182/121 mm Hg
A patient with a hypertensive emergency would have a blood pressure greater than 180/120
mm Hg. A blood pressure of 182/121 mm Hg is greater than the threshold.
Question 4 of 4
Which medication would the nurse use to treat a hypertensive emergency related to eclampsia?
Sodium nitroprusside
, Hydralazine is the intravenous agent of choice in eclampsia because it does not cross the
placental barrier.
Question 1 of 6
The nurse is assessing a patient and notes that the right lower extremity is red, swollen, and
painful. Based on the assessment findings, which action would the nurse take?
Monitor for other signs of sepsis.
Ask the patient if there is a history of heart failure.
Notify the health care provider.
Apply pressure to the site and monitor for bleeding. - Answer Notify the health care provider.
The nurse would notify the health care provider and plan for imaging studies to assess for a
thromboembolism.
Question 2 of 6
Which patient statement indicates understanding of the methods used to prevent a venous
thromboembolism?
"I will keep my legs crossed when I am in bed."
"I should only wear the compression stockings for 2 hours."
"The aspirin will prevent me from getting a blood clot."
"The pneumatic compression boots will squeeze my legs." - Answer "The pneumatic
compression boots will squeeze my legs."
Pneumatic compression boots apply rhythmic pressure to the patient's legs to encourage blood
flow and prevent venous thrombosis.
Question 3 of 6
The nurse would plan to implement pharmacologic and mechanical deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
prophylaxis for which patient?
26-year-old anxious patient who paces the halls
48-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who has shortness of
breath
67-year-old hip fracture patient who is on bed rest
82-year-old patient with Alzheimer who moves around frequently - Answer 67-year-old hip
fracture patient who is on bed rest
Immobility, age, and long bone fractures all increase the risk of DVT; therefore, this patient
