Cardiovascular Disorders: Assessment and Management for Nurses

Question 1

The primary goal of treatment for heart failure is to:

Accepted Answer

Reduce cardiac workload and improve cardiac function

Answer

Enhance cardiac contractility

Answer

Eliminate fluid retention

Answer

Prevent arrhythmias

Question 2

Which type of arrhythmia is characterized by rapid, highly irregular atrial electrical activity?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia

Answer

Sustained supraventricular tachycardia

Question 3

The most prevalent cause of coronary artery disease is:

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Smoking

Answer

Diabetes

Question 4

The primary nursing diagnosis for a patient with a new diagnosis of heart failure is:

Accepted Answer

Decreased cardiac output

Answer

Impaired gas exchange

Answer

Activity intolerance

Answer

Fluid volume excess

Question 5

Which medication class is commonly used to treat hypertension by blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system?

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Diuretics

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Question 6

The most common presenting symptom of a pulmonary embolism is:

Accepted Answer

Sharp, pleuritic chest pain

Answer

Dyspnea

Answer

Hemoptysis

Answer

Tachycardia

Question 7

The primary goal of nursing care for a patient with a pacemaker is to:

Accepted Answer

Optimize device function and patient well-being

Answer

Monitor for device malfunctions

Answer

Educate the patient about lifestyle modifications

Answer

Prevent infection

Question 8

Which of the following is a key clinical sign of heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Shortness of breath with activity

Answer

High blood pressure

Answer

Slow heart rate

Question 9

In assessing a patient with chest pain, which assessment finding is the nurse's top priority?

Accepted Answer

Pain location, nature, and duration

Answer

Medical history

Answer

Vital signs

Answer

Electrocardiogram

Question 10

Which symptom is most commonly experienced by individuals with heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Progressive shortness of breath

Answer

Persistent chest pain

Answer

Extreme fatigue

Answer

Sudden swelling in lower extremities

Question 11

Which nursing action is the most appropriate intervention for a patient experiencing angina-related chest pain?

Accepted Answer

Administering sublingual nitroglycerin

Answer

Monitoring vital signs frequently

Answer

Providing supplemental oxygen therapy

Answer

Preparing the patient for cardiac catheterization

Question 12

Define the primary purpose of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Accepted Answer

Preventing sudden cardiac death

Answer

Restoring and maintaining normal heart rhythm

Answer

Improving overall heart function

Answer

Treating heart failure symptoms

Question 13

Name the surgical procedure performed to bypass a blocked coronary artery.

Accepted Answer

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)

Answer

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

Answer

Cardiac ablation

Answer

Valve replacement surgery

Question 14

Which of the following is the most common initial symptom of coronary artery disease?

Accepted Answer

Chest discomfort, usually described as pressure, squeezing, or tightness

Answer

Shortness of breath

Answer

Fatigue

Answer

Palpitations

Question 15

Which of the following is a contraindication to administering digoxin to a patient with arrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

Second-degree heart block (Mobitz Type II)

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Sick sinus syndrome

Question 16

What is the most common type of arrhythmia in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Supraventricular tachycardia

Answer

Premature ventricular contractions

Question 17

Which of the following is a potential nursing intervention to prevent aspiration in a patient with heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Elevate the head of the bed 30-45 degrees

Answer

Provide a bedside commode for easy access to bathroom facilities

Answer

Encourage fluid restriction to minimize the risk of pulmonary edema

Answer

Administer anti-emetics to suppress nausea and vomiting

Question 18

What is the primary nursing diagnosis for a patient with acute coronary syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Ineffective Tissue Perfusion related to decreased coronary artery blood flow

Answer

Acute Pain related to myocardial ischemia

Answer

Activity Intolerance related to fatigue and dyspnea

Answer

Anxiety related to the threat of death or disability

Question 19

Which type of coronary artery disease involves the gradual narrowing of an artery due to stable plaque build-up?

Accepted Answer

Stable angina

Answer

Acute coronary syndrome

Answer

Unstable angina

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Question 20

What is the most common symptom of acute heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Shortness of breath at rest

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Edema

Answer

Fatigue

Question 21

Which type of arrhythmia is characterized by an irregular heart rate that often feels like fluttering in the chest?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Question 22

What is the primary nursing intervention to reduce myocardial oxygen demand in a patient with a suspected myocardial infarction?

Accepted Answer

Administering nitroglycerin

Answer

Providing supplemental oxygen

Answer

Relieving pain

Answer

Monitoring vital signs

Question 23

Which medication class is a first-line treatment for hypertension?

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Diuretics

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Question 24

Which diagnostic test provides real-time images of the heart's structure and function?

Accepted Answer

Echocardiogram

Answer

Electrocardiogram

Answer

Cardiac catheterization

Answer

Stress test

Question 25

What is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Heart failure

Answer

Stroke

Question 26

A patient with a diagnosis of heart failure is experiencing dyspnea, edema, and fatigue. Which of the following medications is first-line treatment for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Hydrochlorothiazide

Answer

Warfarin

Question 27

Which of the following factors is NOT associated with the development of coronary artery disease?

Accepted Answer

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels

Answer

Smoking

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Physical inactivity

Question 28

A patient with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is receiving anticoagulation therapy. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?

Accepted Answer

International normalized ratio (INR)

Answer

Hemoglobin

Answer

Platelets

Answer

White blood cell count

Question 29

What is the most prevalent symptom of heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Shortness of breath

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Fatigue

Answer

Irregular heart rhythm

Question 30

Which type of heart failure is most common?

Accepted Answer

Systolic heart failure

Answer

Diastolic heart failure

Answer

Both systolic and diastolic heart failure

Answer

Neither systolic nor diastolic heart failure

Question 31

In the development of coronary artery disease, which event is considered the critical turning point in the progression of atherosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Rupture of a vulnerable plaque

Answer

Inflammation of the arterial wall

Answer

Accumulation of smooth muscle cells

Answer

Vasospasm of the coronary arteries

Question 32

Which of the following is a major risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD)?

Accepted Answer

Smoking

Answer

Balanced and nutritious diet

Answer

Normal blood pressure levels

Answer

Regular physical activity

Question 33

What is the most prevalent symptom associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)?

Accepted Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Swelling in the lower extremities

Answer

Fatigue and exhaustion

Answer

Shortness of breath

Question 34

In the care of a patient with heart failure, which nursing intervention holds the highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring fluid balance

Answer

Providing emotional support

Answer

Administration of blood thinners

Answer

Administration of antibiotics

Question 35

What is the intended purpose of antiarrhythmic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Control and suppression of abnormal heart rhythms

Answer

Prevention of blood clots formation

Answer

Enhancement of cardiac output

Answer

Reduction of elevated blood pressure

Question 36

What is the most common cause of pericarditis?

Accepted Answer

Viral infection

Answer

Chest trauma

Answer

Autoimmune conditions

Answer

Bacterial infection

Question 37

Which of the following symptoms is commonly associated with valvular heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Shortness of breath (Dyspnea)

Answer

Fever and chills

Answer

Skin rash or hives

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Question 38

In the management of acute aortic dissection, what should be the primary nursing focus?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining stable hemodynamic parameters

Answer

Administering pain medication

Answer

Providing emotional and psychological support

Answer

Monitoring for neurological deficits

Question 39

In heart failure, what is the primary effect of beta-blockers?

Accepted Answer

Reduce heart muscle contractions

Answer

Increase heart rate

Answer

Raise blood pressure

Answer

Increase the heart's need for oxygen

Question 40

A patient recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) complains of shortness of breath and fatigue. Which nursing intervention is a priority?

Accepted Answer

Administering oxygen as prescribed.

Answer

Restricting fluid intake.

Answer

Elevating the patient's legs.

Answer

Monitoring the patient's weight daily.

Question 41

Which of the following laboratory values indicates a patient is at risk for developing heart failure?

Accepted Answer

BNP > 100 pg/mL.

Answer

Hemoglobin < 12 g/dL.

Answer

Sodium > 145 mEq/L.

Question 42

Identify the symptom characteristic of a myocardial infarction (MI).

Accepted Answer

Crushing chest pain.

Answer

Shortness of breath.

Answer

Nausea.

Answer

Confusion.

Question 43

Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient newly diagnosed with hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Educating the patient about lifestyle modifications.

Answer

Resting the patient in a quiet environment.

Answer

Administering antihypertensive medication.

Answer

Monitoring the patient's blood pressure every 4 hours.

Question 44

Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?

Accepted Answer

Regular exercise.

Answer

Smoking.

Answer

Obesity.

Question 45

When providing discharge instructions to a patient with a pacemaker, which instruction is most important to emphasize?

Accepted Answer

Avoiding strong magnetic fields.

Answer

Removing the pacemaker before showering.

Answer

Checking the pacemaker battery every month.

Answer

Calling the physician if the pulse rate changes.

Question 46

Which medication is commonly used to alleviate angina pectoris?

Accepted Answer

Nitroglycerin.

Answer

Ibuprofen.

Answer

Digoxin.

Answer

Warfarin.

Question 47

A patient with a history of heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which nursing assessment is most important?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring the patient's weight daily.

Answer

Checking the patient's blood pressure frequently.

Answer

Palpating the patient's peripheral pulses.

Answer

Auscultating the patient's lungs for crackles.

Question 48

A patient with coronary artery disease is experiencing chest pain. Which medication should the nurse **anticipate administering first**?

Accepted Answer

Nitroglycerin

Answer

Morphine

Answer

Beta-blocker

Answer

Aspirin

Question 49

A patient with atrial fibrillation is at risk for which **major complication**?

Accepted Answer

Stroke

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

Heart failure

Question 50

Which assessment finding is **most indicative** of right-sided heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Edema in the lower extremities

Answer

Wheezing

Answer

Chest pain

Answer

Dyspnea on exertion

Question 51

A patient with a history of heart failure is admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath and orthopnea. Which nursing intervention is **most important** to implement?

Accepted Answer

Monitor vital signs and oxygen saturation closely.

Answer

Restrict the patient's fluid intake.

Answer

Encourage the patient to ambulate frequently.

Answer

Administer diuretics as ordered.

Question 52

A patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension is prescribed a beta-blocker. What is the **primary mechanism of action** of beta-blockers in managing hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Decrease heart rate and contractility

Answer

Block the renin-angiotensin system

Answer

Increase urine output

Answer

Dilate blood vessels

Question 53

A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation is experiencing palpitations and dizziness. The nurse obtains an electrocardiogram (ECG) which shows a rapid, irregular heart rhythm. Which nursing intervention is **most appropriate**?

Accepted Answer

Administer medications as ordered to control the heart rate.

Answer

Monitor the patient closely for signs of stroke.

Answer

Restrict the patient's fluid intake.

Answer

Encourage the patient to ambulate frequently.

Question 54

A patient with a history of coronary artery disease is experiencing chest pain that is relieved by rest and nitroglycerin. Which type of angina is this **most likely** to be?

Accepted Answer

Stable angina

Answer

Prinzmetal's angina

Answer

Variant angina

Answer

Unstable angina

Question 55

A patient with a history of heart failure is receiving digoxin therapy. Which assessment finding should the nurse **monitor closely**?

Accepted Answer

Heart rate

Answer

Respiratory rate

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Blood pressure