CLINICAL & EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE (HIT 520) – CARING
FOR CLIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS & NURSING
DIAGNOSES – 2026 CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
While receiving treatment in hospital for a DVT, your client has several interventions
ordered for his condition. Complete rest, anticoagulant therapy, procedures to
determine the location and size of the thrombus are all utilized to decrease the
danger from the blood clot. Why are continuous warm, wet packs ordered? a)
Increase inflammation
b) Improve circulation
c) Increase warmth
d) Reduce incidents of clotsImprove circulation Explanation:
Continuous warm, wet packs are ordered to improve circulation, ease pain, and
decrease inflammation.
An older adult patient has been diagnosed with aortic regurgitation. What change
in blood flow should the nurse expect to see on this patient's echocardiogram? a)
Blood to flow back from the left atrium to the left ventricle
b) Blood to flow back from the aorta to the left ventricle
c) Obstruction of blood from the left atrium to left ventricle
d) Obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricleBlood to flow back from the aorta
to the left ventricle
Explanation:
Aortic regurgitation occurs when the aortic valve does not completely close, and blood
flows back to the left ventricle from the aorta during diastole. Aortic regurgitation does
not cause obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle, blood to flow back from the
left atrium to the left ventricle, or obstruction of blood from the left atrium to left ventricle.
The nurse is auscultating the breath sounds of a patient with pericarditis. What finding
is most consistent with this diagnosis? a) Friction rub
b) Fine crackles
c) Coarse crackles
d) Wheezes
A pericardial friction rub is diagnostic of pericarditis. Crackles are associated with
pulmonary edema and fluid accumulation, whereas wheezes signal airway constriction;
neither of these occurs with pericarditis.
A client seeks medical attention for dyspnea, chest pain, syncope, fatigue, and
palpitations. A thorough physical examination reveals an apical systolic thrill and heave,
along with a fourth heart sound (S4) and a systolic murmur. Diagnostic tests reveal that
the client has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Which nursing diagnosis may be
appropriate?
a) Risk for deficient fluid volume
b) Ineffective thermoregulation
c) Risk for peripheral neurovascular dysfunction
d) Decreased cardiac output
, lOMoARcPSD| 63525276
Decreased cardiac output
Explanation:
Decreased cardiac output is an appropriate nursing diagnosis for a client with HCM
because the hypertrophied cardiac muscle decreases the effectiveness of the heart's
contraction, decreasing cardiac output. Heart failure may complicate HCM, causing fluid
volume excess; therefore, the nursing diagnosis of Risk for deficient fluid volume isn't
applicable. Ineffective thermoregulation and Risk for peripheral neurovascular
dysfunction are inappropriate because HCM doesn't cause these problems.
Select these
83
A patient who has had a recent myocardial infarction develops pericarditis and
complains of level 6 (on a scale of 0-10) chest pain with deep breathing. Which of these
ordered pro re nata (PRN) medications will be the most appropriate for the nurse to
administer?
a) Ibuprofen (Motrin) 800 mg po every 8 hours
b) Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg per os (po) every 4 hours
c) Morphine sulfate 6 mg IVP every 2-4 hours
d) Fentanyl 2 mg intravenous pyelogram (IVP) every 2-4 hoursIbuprofen (Motrin)
800 mg po every 8 hours Explanation:
Pain associated with pericarditis is caused by inflammation, thus nonsteroidal
antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are most effective. Opioid analgesics
are usually not used for the pain associated with pericarditis
A patient with a myocardial infarction develops acute mitral valve regurgitation. The
nurse knows to assess for which of the following manifestations that would indicate
that the patient is developing pulmonary congestion? a) Shortness of breath
b) A loud, blowing murmur
c) Hypertension
d) TachycardiaShortness of breath Correct
Explanation:
Chronic mitral regurgitation is often asymptomatic, but acute mitral regurgitation (e.g.,
resulting from a myocardial infarction) usually manifests as severe congestive heart
failure. Dyspnea, fatigue and weakness are the most common symptoms. Palpitations,
shortness of breath on exertion, and cough from pulmonary congestion also occur. A
loud, blowing murmur often is heard throughout ventricular systole at the heart's apex.
Hypertension may develop when reduced cardiac output triggers the renin-
angiotensinaldosterone cycle. Tachycardia is a compensatory mechanism when stroke
volume decreases.
,CLINICAL & EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE (HIT 520) – CARING
FOR CLIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS & NURSING
DIAGNOSES – 2026 CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A patient with pericarditis has been admitted to the CCU. The nurse caring for the
patient knows that the most common clinical manifestation of pericarditis is what?
a) Palpitations
b) Chest pain
c) Pounding heart rate
d) Burning sensation in chestChest pain
Explanation:
The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest pain, although pain also may
be located beneath the clavicle, in the neck, or in the left trapezius (scapula) region.
The pain or discomfort usually remains fairly constant, but it may worsen with deep
inspiration and when lying down or turning.
The nursing instructor is discussing cardiomyopathies with the junior nursing class.
The instructor asks the students to work through a plan of care for a patient with a
cardiomyopathy. What priority outcomes does the instructor tell the students should be
included in the care plan for these patients? a) Absence of complications.
b) Improved cardiac output.
c) Adherence to the self-care programme.
d) Increased activity tolerance.Improved cardiac output.
The nurse is auscultating the breath sounds of a patient with pericarditis. What finding
is most consistent with this diagnosis? a) Friction rub
b) Wheezes
c) Coarse crackles
d) Fine crackles
Friction rub
Correct
Explanation:
A pericardial friction rub is diagnostic of pericarditis. Crackles are associated with
pulmonary edema and fluid accumulation, whereas wheezes signal airway constriction;
neither of these occurs with pericarditis.
A white male, age 43, with a tentative diagnosis of infective endocarditis is admitted to
an acute care facility. His medical history reveals diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and
pernicious anemia; he underwent an appendectomy 20 years earlier and an aortic valve
replacement 2 years before this admission. Which history finding is a major risk factor
for infective endocarditis?
a) History of aortic valve replacement
b) Age
c) History of diabetes mellitus
d) Race
, lOMoARcPSD| 63525276
FOR CLIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS & NURSING
DIAGNOSES – 2026 CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
While receiving treatment in hospital for a DVT, your client has several interventions
ordered for his condition. Complete rest, anticoagulant therapy, procedures to
determine the location and size of the thrombus are all utilized to decrease the
danger from the blood clot. Why are continuous warm, wet packs ordered? a)
Increase inflammation
b) Improve circulation
c) Increase warmth
d) Reduce incidents of clotsImprove circulation Explanation:
Continuous warm, wet packs are ordered to improve circulation, ease pain, and
decrease inflammation.
An older adult patient has been diagnosed with aortic regurgitation. What change
in blood flow should the nurse expect to see on this patient's echocardiogram? a)
Blood to flow back from the left atrium to the left ventricle
b) Blood to flow back from the aorta to the left ventricle
c) Obstruction of blood from the left atrium to left ventricle
d) Obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricleBlood to flow back from the aorta
to the left ventricle
Explanation:
Aortic regurgitation occurs when the aortic valve does not completely close, and blood
flows back to the left ventricle from the aorta during diastole. Aortic regurgitation does
not cause obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle, blood to flow back from the
left atrium to the left ventricle, or obstruction of blood from the left atrium to left ventricle.
The nurse is auscultating the breath sounds of a patient with pericarditis. What finding
is most consistent with this diagnosis? a) Friction rub
b) Fine crackles
c) Coarse crackles
d) Wheezes
A pericardial friction rub is diagnostic of pericarditis. Crackles are associated with
pulmonary edema and fluid accumulation, whereas wheezes signal airway constriction;
neither of these occurs with pericarditis.
A client seeks medical attention for dyspnea, chest pain, syncope, fatigue, and
palpitations. A thorough physical examination reveals an apical systolic thrill and heave,
along with a fourth heart sound (S4) and a systolic murmur. Diagnostic tests reveal that
the client has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Which nursing diagnosis may be
appropriate?
a) Risk for deficient fluid volume
b) Ineffective thermoregulation
c) Risk for peripheral neurovascular dysfunction
d) Decreased cardiac output
, lOMoARcPSD| 63525276
Decreased cardiac output
Explanation:
Decreased cardiac output is an appropriate nursing diagnosis for a client with HCM
because the hypertrophied cardiac muscle decreases the effectiveness of the heart's
contraction, decreasing cardiac output. Heart failure may complicate HCM, causing fluid
volume excess; therefore, the nursing diagnosis of Risk for deficient fluid volume isn't
applicable. Ineffective thermoregulation and Risk for peripheral neurovascular
dysfunction are inappropriate because HCM doesn't cause these problems.
Select these
83
A patient who has had a recent myocardial infarction develops pericarditis and
complains of level 6 (on a scale of 0-10) chest pain with deep breathing. Which of these
ordered pro re nata (PRN) medications will be the most appropriate for the nurse to
administer?
a) Ibuprofen (Motrin) 800 mg po every 8 hours
b) Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg per os (po) every 4 hours
c) Morphine sulfate 6 mg IVP every 2-4 hours
d) Fentanyl 2 mg intravenous pyelogram (IVP) every 2-4 hoursIbuprofen (Motrin)
800 mg po every 8 hours Explanation:
Pain associated with pericarditis is caused by inflammation, thus nonsteroidal
antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are most effective. Opioid analgesics
are usually not used for the pain associated with pericarditis
A patient with a myocardial infarction develops acute mitral valve regurgitation. The
nurse knows to assess for which of the following manifestations that would indicate
that the patient is developing pulmonary congestion? a) Shortness of breath
b) A loud, blowing murmur
c) Hypertension
d) TachycardiaShortness of breath Correct
Explanation:
Chronic mitral regurgitation is often asymptomatic, but acute mitral regurgitation (e.g.,
resulting from a myocardial infarction) usually manifests as severe congestive heart
failure. Dyspnea, fatigue and weakness are the most common symptoms. Palpitations,
shortness of breath on exertion, and cough from pulmonary congestion also occur. A
loud, blowing murmur often is heard throughout ventricular systole at the heart's apex.
Hypertension may develop when reduced cardiac output triggers the renin-
angiotensinaldosterone cycle. Tachycardia is a compensatory mechanism when stroke
volume decreases.
,CLINICAL & EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE (HIT 520) – CARING
FOR CLIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS & NURSING
DIAGNOSES – 2026 CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A patient with pericarditis has been admitted to the CCU. The nurse caring for the
patient knows that the most common clinical manifestation of pericarditis is what?
a) Palpitations
b) Chest pain
c) Pounding heart rate
d) Burning sensation in chestChest pain
Explanation:
The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest pain, although pain also may
be located beneath the clavicle, in the neck, or in the left trapezius (scapula) region.
The pain or discomfort usually remains fairly constant, but it may worsen with deep
inspiration and when lying down or turning.
The nursing instructor is discussing cardiomyopathies with the junior nursing class.
The instructor asks the students to work through a plan of care for a patient with a
cardiomyopathy. What priority outcomes does the instructor tell the students should be
included in the care plan for these patients? a) Absence of complications.
b) Improved cardiac output.
c) Adherence to the self-care programme.
d) Increased activity tolerance.Improved cardiac output.
The nurse is auscultating the breath sounds of a patient with pericarditis. What finding
is most consistent with this diagnosis? a) Friction rub
b) Wheezes
c) Coarse crackles
d) Fine crackles
Friction rub
Correct
Explanation:
A pericardial friction rub is diagnostic of pericarditis. Crackles are associated with
pulmonary edema and fluid accumulation, whereas wheezes signal airway constriction;
neither of these occurs with pericarditis.
A white male, age 43, with a tentative diagnosis of infective endocarditis is admitted to
an acute care facility. His medical history reveals diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and
pernicious anemia; he underwent an appendectomy 20 years earlier and an aortic valve
replacement 2 years before this admission. Which history finding is a major risk factor
for infective endocarditis?
a) History of aortic valve replacement
b) Age
c) History of diabetes mellitus
d) Race
, lOMoARcPSD| 63525276
