ATI MEDICAL SURGICAL CARDIOVASCULAR
EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE EXAM 2024-2025
WITH ACTUAL CORRECT QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED DETAILED RATIONALES
ANSWERS |FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS |ALREADY
GRADED A+|NEWEST|GUARANTEED
PASS|LATEST UPDATE
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has a prescription for the transdermal
nitroglycerin patch. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Apply the new patch to the same site as the previous patch.
B. Place the patch on an area of skin away from skin folds and joints.
C. Keep the patch on 24 hr per day. D. Replace the patch at the onset of angina.
B. Place the patch on an area of skin away from skin folds and joints.
A nurse is preparing a client for coronary angiography. The nurse should report which of the following
findings to the provider prior to the procedure?
A. Hemoglobin 14.4 g/dlb. History of peripheral arterial disease.
c. Urine output 200 ml/4 hr.
D. Previous allergic reaction to shellfish
D. Previous allergic reaction to shellfish
Rationale: The contrast medium used for coronary angiography is iodine-based. Clients who have a
history of allergic reaction to shellfish often react to iodine and might need a steroid or antihistamine
prior to the procedure.
A nurse is assessing a client who has pulmonary edema related to heart failure. Which of the following
findings indicates effective treatment of the client's condition?
A. Absence of adventitious breath sounds
B. Presence of a nonproductive cough
C. Decrease in respiratory rate at rest
D. Sao2 86% on room air
1|Page
,A. Absence of adventitious breath sounds
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is 2 days post-op following a heart transplant. Which of the
following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. "you may no longer be able to feel chest pain."
b. "your level of activity tolerance will not change."
c. "after 6 months, you will no longer need to restrict your sodium intake."
d. "you will be able to stop taking immunosuppressants after 12 months."
A. "you may no longer be able to feel chest pain."
A nurse is caring for a client who has dilated cardiomyopathy. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
A. Dyspnea on exertion
B. Tracheal deviation
C. Pericardial rub
D. Weight loss
A. Dyspnea on exertion
A nurse is caring for a client who is being treated for HF and has prescriptions for furosemide. The nurse
should plan to monitor for which of the following as an adverse effect of this medication?
A. SOB
b. Lightheadedness
c. Dry cough
d. Metallic taste
b. Lightheadedness
A nurse is admitting a client who has a leg ulcer and a history of DM. The nurse should use which of the
following focused assessments to help differentiate between an arterial ulcer and a venous stasis ulcer?
A. Explore the clients family history of peripheral vascular disease
B. Note the presence or absence of pain at the ulcer site
C. Inquire about the presence or absence of claudication
D. Ask if the client has had a recent infection
C. Inquire about the presence or absence of claudication
Rationale: Knowing if the client is experiencing claudication helps differentiate venous from arterial
ulcers. Clients who have arterial ulcers experience claudication, but those who have venous ulcers do
not.
A nurse is caring for a client in the first 8 hr following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Which of the following client findings should the nurse report to the provider?A. Mediastinal drainage
100 ml/hr
b. Blood pressure 160/80 mm Hg
C. Temperature 37.1° C (98.8° F)
D. Potassium 4.0 meq/L
2|Page
,b. Blood pressure 160/80 mm Hg
Rationale: The nurse should report an elevated blood pressure following a CABG because increased
vascular pressure can cause bleeding at the incision sites.
A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a coronary artery bypass graft in 2 hr. Which of the
following client statements indicates a need for further clarification by the nurse?
A. "My arthritis is really bothering me because I haven't taken my aspiring in a week."
b. "My blood pressure shouldn't be high because I took my BP medication this morning."
c. "I took my warfarin last night according to my usually schedule."
d. "I will check my BP because I took a reduced dose of insulin this morning."
c. "I took my warfarin last night according to my usually schedule."
A nurse is caring for a client who presents to the ER with a BP of 254/138 mmhg. The nurse recognizes
that the client is in a hypertensive crisis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Initiate seizure precautions.
B. Tell the client to report vision changes
C. Elevate the head of the clients bed
D. Start a peripheral IV
C. Elevate the head of the clients bed
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who had an anterior MI. The client's history
reveals she is 1 week post-op open cholecystectomy. The nurse should recognize that which of the
following interventions is contraindicated?
A. Administering IV morphine sulfate
B. Administering oxygen at 2:/min via nasal cannula
C. Helping the client to the bedside commode
D. Assisting with thrombolytic therapy
D. Assisting with thrombolytic therapy
A client who has a new diagnosis of hypertension has a prescription for an ACE inhibitor. The nurse
instructs the client about adverse effects of the medication. The client demonstrates an understanding
of the teaching by stating that he will notify his provider if he experiences which of the following?
A. Tendon pain
b. Persistent cough
c. Frequent urination
d. Constipation
b. Persistent cough
A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of engine and is scheduled for exercise
electrocardiography at 1100. Which of the following statements by the client requires the nurse to
contact the provider for possible rescheduling?
A. I'm still hungry after the bowl of cereal I ate at 7 am
B. I didn't take my heart pills tis morning because the doctor told me not to
3|Page
, C. I have had chest pain a couple times since I saw my doctor last week
D. "I smoked a cigarette this morning to calm my nerves about having this procedure"
D. "I smoked a cigarette this morning to calm my nerves about having this procedure"
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has heart failure. the nurse should instruct the
client to report which of the following findings immediately to the provider?
A. Weight gain of 2 lb. in 24 hr
b. Increase of 10 mmhg in systolic BP
c. Dyspnea with exertion
d. Dizziness when rising quickly
A. Weight gain of 2 lb. in 24 hr
A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of DVT and is receiving warfarin. Which of the following
client findings provides the nurse with the best evidence regarding the effectiveness of the warfarin
therapy?
A. Hemoglobin 14 g/dl
B. Minimal bruising of extremities
C. Decreased Blood pressure
D. INR 2.0
D. INR 2.0
Rationale: The nurse should identify that an INR of 2.0 is within the desired reference range of 2.0 to
3.0 for a client who has a deep-vein thrombosis and is receiving warfarin to reduce the risk of new clot
formation and a stroke.
Atrial depolarization - P Wave on ECG
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving heparin therapy and develops hematuria. Which one of the
following actions should the nurse take if the clients aPTTis 96 seconds?
A. Increase the heparin infusion flow rate by 2 ml/hr
B. Continue to monitor the heparin infusion as prescribed
C. Request a prothrombin time
D. Stop the heparin infusion
D. Stop the heparin infusion
Rationale: The nurse should identify that the client's aPTT is above the critical value and the client is
displaying manifestations of bleeding. Therefore, the nurse should discontinue the heparin infusion
immediately and notify the provider to reduce the risk of client injury.
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is experiencing atrial fibrillation. The nurse should
plan to monitor for and report which of the following findings to the provider immediately?
A. Slurred speech
B. Irregular pulse
C. Dependent edema
D. Persistent fatigue
4|Page
EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE EXAM 2024-2025
WITH ACTUAL CORRECT QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED DETAILED RATIONALES
ANSWERS |FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS |ALREADY
GRADED A+|NEWEST|GUARANTEED
PASS|LATEST UPDATE
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has a prescription for the transdermal
nitroglycerin patch. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Apply the new patch to the same site as the previous patch.
B. Place the patch on an area of skin away from skin folds and joints.
C. Keep the patch on 24 hr per day. D. Replace the patch at the onset of angina.
B. Place the patch on an area of skin away from skin folds and joints.
A nurse is preparing a client for coronary angiography. The nurse should report which of the following
findings to the provider prior to the procedure?
A. Hemoglobin 14.4 g/dlb. History of peripheral arterial disease.
c. Urine output 200 ml/4 hr.
D. Previous allergic reaction to shellfish
D. Previous allergic reaction to shellfish
Rationale: The contrast medium used for coronary angiography is iodine-based. Clients who have a
history of allergic reaction to shellfish often react to iodine and might need a steroid or antihistamine
prior to the procedure.
A nurse is assessing a client who has pulmonary edema related to heart failure. Which of the following
findings indicates effective treatment of the client's condition?
A. Absence of adventitious breath sounds
B. Presence of a nonproductive cough
C. Decrease in respiratory rate at rest
D. Sao2 86% on room air
1|Page
,A. Absence of adventitious breath sounds
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is 2 days post-op following a heart transplant. Which of the
following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. "you may no longer be able to feel chest pain."
b. "your level of activity tolerance will not change."
c. "after 6 months, you will no longer need to restrict your sodium intake."
d. "you will be able to stop taking immunosuppressants after 12 months."
A. "you may no longer be able to feel chest pain."
A nurse is caring for a client who has dilated cardiomyopathy. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
A. Dyspnea on exertion
B. Tracheal deviation
C. Pericardial rub
D. Weight loss
A. Dyspnea on exertion
A nurse is caring for a client who is being treated for HF and has prescriptions for furosemide. The nurse
should plan to monitor for which of the following as an adverse effect of this medication?
A. SOB
b. Lightheadedness
c. Dry cough
d. Metallic taste
b. Lightheadedness
A nurse is admitting a client who has a leg ulcer and a history of DM. The nurse should use which of the
following focused assessments to help differentiate between an arterial ulcer and a venous stasis ulcer?
A. Explore the clients family history of peripheral vascular disease
B. Note the presence or absence of pain at the ulcer site
C. Inquire about the presence or absence of claudication
D. Ask if the client has had a recent infection
C. Inquire about the presence or absence of claudication
Rationale: Knowing if the client is experiencing claudication helps differentiate venous from arterial
ulcers. Clients who have arterial ulcers experience claudication, but those who have venous ulcers do
not.
A nurse is caring for a client in the first 8 hr following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Which of the following client findings should the nurse report to the provider?A. Mediastinal drainage
100 ml/hr
b. Blood pressure 160/80 mm Hg
C. Temperature 37.1° C (98.8° F)
D. Potassium 4.0 meq/L
2|Page
,b. Blood pressure 160/80 mm Hg
Rationale: The nurse should report an elevated blood pressure following a CABG because increased
vascular pressure can cause bleeding at the incision sites.
A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a coronary artery bypass graft in 2 hr. Which of the
following client statements indicates a need for further clarification by the nurse?
A. "My arthritis is really bothering me because I haven't taken my aspiring in a week."
b. "My blood pressure shouldn't be high because I took my BP medication this morning."
c. "I took my warfarin last night according to my usually schedule."
d. "I will check my BP because I took a reduced dose of insulin this morning."
c. "I took my warfarin last night according to my usually schedule."
A nurse is caring for a client who presents to the ER with a BP of 254/138 mmhg. The nurse recognizes
that the client is in a hypertensive crisis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Initiate seizure precautions.
B. Tell the client to report vision changes
C. Elevate the head of the clients bed
D. Start a peripheral IV
C. Elevate the head of the clients bed
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who had an anterior MI. The client's history
reveals she is 1 week post-op open cholecystectomy. The nurse should recognize that which of the
following interventions is contraindicated?
A. Administering IV morphine sulfate
B. Administering oxygen at 2:/min via nasal cannula
C. Helping the client to the bedside commode
D. Assisting with thrombolytic therapy
D. Assisting with thrombolytic therapy
A client who has a new diagnosis of hypertension has a prescription for an ACE inhibitor. The nurse
instructs the client about adverse effects of the medication. The client demonstrates an understanding
of the teaching by stating that he will notify his provider if he experiences which of the following?
A. Tendon pain
b. Persistent cough
c. Frequent urination
d. Constipation
b. Persistent cough
A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of engine and is scheduled for exercise
electrocardiography at 1100. Which of the following statements by the client requires the nurse to
contact the provider for possible rescheduling?
A. I'm still hungry after the bowl of cereal I ate at 7 am
B. I didn't take my heart pills tis morning because the doctor told me not to
3|Page
, C. I have had chest pain a couple times since I saw my doctor last week
D. "I smoked a cigarette this morning to calm my nerves about having this procedure"
D. "I smoked a cigarette this morning to calm my nerves about having this procedure"
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has heart failure. the nurse should instruct the
client to report which of the following findings immediately to the provider?
A. Weight gain of 2 lb. in 24 hr
b. Increase of 10 mmhg in systolic BP
c. Dyspnea with exertion
d. Dizziness when rising quickly
A. Weight gain of 2 lb. in 24 hr
A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of DVT and is receiving warfarin. Which of the following
client findings provides the nurse with the best evidence regarding the effectiveness of the warfarin
therapy?
A. Hemoglobin 14 g/dl
B. Minimal bruising of extremities
C. Decreased Blood pressure
D. INR 2.0
D. INR 2.0
Rationale: The nurse should identify that an INR of 2.0 is within the desired reference range of 2.0 to
3.0 for a client who has a deep-vein thrombosis and is receiving warfarin to reduce the risk of new clot
formation and a stroke.
Atrial depolarization - P Wave on ECG
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving heparin therapy and develops hematuria. Which one of the
following actions should the nurse take if the clients aPTTis 96 seconds?
A. Increase the heparin infusion flow rate by 2 ml/hr
B. Continue to monitor the heparin infusion as prescribed
C. Request a prothrombin time
D. Stop the heparin infusion
D. Stop the heparin infusion
Rationale: The nurse should identify that the client's aPTT is above the critical value and the client is
displaying manifestations of bleeding. Therefore, the nurse should discontinue the heparin infusion
immediately and notify the provider to reduce the risk of client injury.
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is experiencing atrial fibrillation. The nurse should
plan to monitor for and report which of the following findings to the provider immediately?
A. Slurred speech
B. Irregular pulse
C. Dependent edema
D. Persistent fatigue
4|Page
