NSG 3160: CH. 20: HEART &
NECK VESSELS
What is the sac that surrounds and protects the heart is called?
a. Myocardium
b. Pericardium
c. Endocardium
d. Pleural space - CORRECT ANSWER -B
The nurse is reviewing the anatomy and physiologic functioning of the heart. Which
statement best describes what is meant by atrial kick?
a. The atria contract during systole and attempt to push against closed valves.
b. Contraction of the atria at the beginning of diastole can be felt as a palpitation.
c. Atrial kick is the pressure exerted against the atria as the ventricles contract during
systole.
d. The atria contract toward the end of diastole and push the remaining blood into the
ventricles. - CORRECT ANSWER -D
When listening to heart sounds, which valve closures are heard best at the base of the
heart?
a. Aortic and pulmonic
b. Mitral and pulmonic
c. Mitral and tricuspid
d. Tricuspid and aortic - CORRECT ANSWER -A
Which of these statements describes the closure of the valves in a normal cardiac cycle?
a. The pulmonic valve closes slightly before the aortic valve.
b. The aortic valve closes slightly before the tricuspid valve.
,c. Both the tricuspid and pulmonic valve closes at the same time.
d. The tricuspid valve closes slightly later than the mitral valve - CORRECT ANSWER -D
What component of the conduction system is referred to as the pacemaker of the heart?
a. Bundle of His
b. Bundle branches
c. Sinoatrial (SA) node
d. Atrioventricular (AV) node - CORRECT ANSWER -C
The findings from an assessment of a 70-year-old patient with swelling in his ankles include
jugular venous pulsations 5 cm above the sternal angle when the head of his bed is elevated
45 degrees. What does this finding indicate?
a. Decreased fluid volume
b. Increased cardiac output
c. Narrowing of jugular veins
d. Elevated pressure related to heart failure - CORRECT ANSWER -D
A 25-year-old woman in her fifth month of pregnancy has a blood pressure of 100/70 mm
Hg. In reviewing her previous examination, the nurse notes that her blood pressure in her
second month was 124/80 mm Hg. In evaluating this change, what does the nurse know to
be true?
a. This decline in blood pressure is the result of peripheral vasodilatation and is an expected
change.
b. Because of increased cardiac output, the blood pressure should be higher at this time.
c. This change in blood pressure is not an expected finding because it means a decrease in
cardiac output.
d. This decline in blood pressure means a decrease in circulating blood volume, which is
dangerous for the fetus. - CORRECT ANSWER -A
In assessing a 70-year-old man, the nurse finds the following: blood pressure 140/100 mm
Hg; heart rate 104 beats per minute and slightly irregular; and the split S2 heart sound.
, Which of these findings can be explained by the expected hemodynamic changes related to
age?
a. Increase in resting heart rate
b. Increase in systolic blood pressure
c. Decrease in diastolic blood pressure
d. Increase in diastolic blood pressure - CORRECT ANSWER -B
A 45-year-old man is in the clinic for a routine physical examination. During the recording of
his health history, the patient states that he has been having difficulty sleeping. "I'll be
sleeping great, and then I wake up and feel like I can't get my breath." Which is the best
response by the nurse?
a. "When was your last electrocardiogram?"
b. "It's probably because it's been so hot at night."
c. "Do you have any history of problems with your heart?"
d. "Have you had a recent sinus infection or upper respiratory infection?" - CORRECT
ANSWER -C
In assessing a patient's major risk factors for heart disease, which would the nurse want to
include when taking a history?
a. Family history, hypertension, stress, and age
b. Personality type, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking
c. Smoking, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol
d. Alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes, stress, and high cholesterol - CORRECT ANSWER
-C
The mother of a 3-month-old infant states that her baby has not been gaining weight. With
further questioning, the nurse finds that the infant falls asleep after nursing and wakes up
after a short-time hungry again. What other information would the nurse want to have?
a. Infant's sleeping position
b. Sibling history of eating disorders
c. Amount of background noise when eating
NECK VESSELS
What is the sac that surrounds and protects the heart is called?
a. Myocardium
b. Pericardium
c. Endocardium
d. Pleural space - CORRECT ANSWER -B
The nurse is reviewing the anatomy and physiologic functioning of the heart. Which
statement best describes what is meant by atrial kick?
a. The atria contract during systole and attempt to push against closed valves.
b. Contraction of the atria at the beginning of diastole can be felt as a palpitation.
c. Atrial kick is the pressure exerted against the atria as the ventricles contract during
systole.
d. The atria contract toward the end of diastole and push the remaining blood into the
ventricles. - CORRECT ANSWER -D
When listening to heart sounds, which valve closures are heard best at the base of the
heart?
a. Aortic and pulmonic
b. Mitral and pulmonic
c. Mitral and tricuspid
d. Tricuspid and aortic - CORRECT ANSWER -A
Which of these statements describes the closure of the valves in a normal cardiac cycle?
a. The pulmonic valve closes slightly before the aortic valve.
b. The aortic valve closes slightly before the tricuspid valve.
,c. Both the tricuspid and pulmonic valve closes at the same time.
d. The tricuspid valve closes slightly later than the mitral valve - CORRECT ANSWER -D
What component of the conduction system is referred to as the pacemaker of the heart?
a. Bundle of His
b. Bundle branches
c. Sinoatrial (SA) node
d. Atrioventricular (AV) node - CORRECT ANSWER -C
The findings from an assessment of a 70-year-old patient with swelling in his ankles include
jugular venous pulsations 5 cm above the sternal angle when the head of his bed is elevated
45 degrees. What does this finding indicate?
a. Decreased fluid volume
b. Increased cardiac output
c. Narrowing of jugular veins
d. Elevated pressure related to heart failure - CORRECT ANSWER -D
A 25-year-old woman in her fifth month of pregnancy has a blood pressure of 100/70 mm
Hg. In reviewing her previous examination, the nurse notes that her blood pressure in her
second month was 124/80 mm Hg. In evaluating this change, what does the nurse know to
be true?
a. This decline in blood pressure is the result of peripheral vasodilatation and is an expected
change.
b. Because of increased cardiac output, the blood pressure should be higher at this time.
c. This change in blood pressure is not an expected finding because it means a decrease in
cardiac output.
d. This decline in blood pressure means a decrease in circulating blood volume, which is
dangerous for the fetus. - CORRECT ANSWER -A
In assessing a 70-year-old man, the nurse finds the following: blood pressure 140/100 mm
Hg; heart rate 104 beats per minute and slightly irregular; and the split S2 heart sound.
, Which of these findings can be explained by the expected hemodynamic changes related to
age?
a. Increase in resting heart rate
b. Increase in systolic blood pressure
c. Decrease in diastolic blood pressure
d. Increase in diastolic blood pressure - CORRECT ANSWER -B
A 45-year-old man is in the clinic for a routine physical examination. During the recording of
his health history, the patient states that he has been having difficulty sleeping. "I'll be
sleeping great, and then I wake up and feel like I can't get my breath." Which is the best
response by the nurse?
a. "When was your last electrocardiogram?"
b. "It's probably because it's been so hot at night."
c. "Do you have any history of problems with your heart?"
d. "Have you had a recent sinus infection or upper respiratory infection?" - CORRECT
ANSWER -C
In assessing a patient's major risk factors for heart disease, which would the nurse want to
include when taking a history?
a. Family history, hypertension, stress, and age
b. Personality type, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking
c. Smoking, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol
d. Alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes, stress, and high cholesterol - CORRECT ANSWER
-C
The mother of a 3-month-old infant states that her baby has not been gaining weight. With
further questioning, the nurse finds that the infant falls asleep after nursing and wakes up
after a short-time hungry again. What other information would the nurse want to have?
a. Infant's sleeping position
b. Sibling history of eating disorders
c. Amount of background noise when eating
