NURS 347 Exam 4 UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Which statement is true regarding the arterial system?
a. Arteries are large-diameter vessels.
b. The arterial system is a high-pressure system.
c. The walls of arteries are thinner than those of the veins.
d. Arteries can greatly expand to accommodate a large blood volume increase. - CORRECT
ANSWER - B
The pumping heart makes the arterial system a high-pressure system.
The nurse is reviewing the blood supply to the arm. The major artery supplying the arm is the
_____ artery.
a. Ulnar
b. Radial
c. Brachial
d. Deep palmar - CORRECT ANSWER - C
,The major artery supplying the arm is the brachial artery. The brachial artery bifurcates into the
ulnar and radial arteries immediately below the elbow. In the hand, the ulnar and radial arteries
form two arches known as the superficial and deep palmar arches.
The nurse is preparing to assess the dorsalis pedis artery. Where is the correct location for
palpation?
a. Behind the knee
b. Over the lateral malleolus
c. In the groove behind the medial malleolus
d. Lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe - CORRECT ANSWER - D
The dorsalis pedis artery is located on the dorsum of the foot. The nurse should palpate just
lateral to and parallel with the extensor tendon of the big toe. The popliteal artery is palpated
behind the knee. The posterior tibial pulse is palpated in the groove between the malleolus and
the Achilles tendon. No pulse is palpated at the lateral malleolus.
A 65-year-old patient is experiencing pain in his left calf when he exercises that disappears after
resting for a few minutes. The nurse recognizes that this description is most consistent with
_______ the left leg.
a. Venous obstruction of
b. Claudication due to venous abnormalities in
c. Ischemia caused by a partial blockage of an artery supplying
,d. Ischemia caused by the complete blockage of an artery supplying - CORRECT
ANSWER - C
Ischemia is a deficient supply of oxygenated arterial blood to a tissue. A partial blockage creates
an insufficient supply, and the ischemia may be apparent only during exercise when oxygen
needs increase.
The nurse is reviewing venous blood flow patterns. Which of these statements best describes the
mechanism(s) by which venous blood returns to the heart?
a. Intraluminal valves ensure unidirectional flow toward the heart.
b. Contracting skeletal muscles milk blood distally toward the veins.
c. High-pressure system of the heart helps facilitate venous return.
d. Increased thoracic pressure and decreased abdominal pressure facilitate venous return to the
heart. - CORRECT ANSWER - A
Blood moves through the veins by (1) contracting skeletal muscles that proximally milk the
blood; (2) pressure gradients caused by breathing, during which inspiration makes the thoracic
pressure decrease and the abdominal pressure increase; and (3) the intraluminal valves, which
ensure unidirectional flow toward the heart.
Which vein(s) is(are) responsible for most of the venous return in the arm?
a. Deep
b. Ulnar
c. Subclavian
, d. Superficial - CORRECT ANSWER - D
The superficial veins of the arms are in the subcutaneous tissue and are responsible for most of
the venous return.
A 70-year-old patient is scheduled for open-heart surgery. The surgeon plans to use the great
saphenous vein for the coronary bypass grafts. The patient asks, "What happens to my
circulation when this vein is removed?" The nurse should reply:
a. "Venous insufficiency is a common problem after this type of surgery."
b. "Oh, you have lots of veins—you won't even notice that it has been removed."
c. "You will probably experience decreased circulation after the vein is removed."
d. "This vein can be removed without harming your circulation because the deeper veins in your
leg are in good condition." - CORRECT ANSWER - D
As long as the femoral and popliteal veins remain intact, the superficial veins can be excised
without harming circulation. The other responses are not correct.
The nurse is reviewing the risk factors for venous disease. Which of these situations best
describes a person at highest risk for the development of venous disease?
a. Woman in her second month of pregnancy
b. Person who has been on bed rest for 4 days
c. Person with a 30-year, 1 pack per day smoking habit
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Which statement is true regarding the arterial system?
a. Arteries are large-diameter vessels.
b. The arterial system is a high-pressure system.
c. The walls of arteries are thinner than those of the veins.
d. Arteries can greatly expand to accommodate a large blood volume increase. - CORRECT
ANSWER - B
The pumping heart makes the arterial system a high-pressure system.
The nurse is reviewing the blood supply to the arm. The major artery supplying the arm is the
_____ artery.
a. Ulnar
b. Radial
c. Brachial
d. Deep palmar - CORRECT ANSWER - C
,The major artery supplying the arm is the brachial artery. The brachial artery bifurcates into the
ulnar and radial arteries immediately below the elbow. In the hand, the ulnar and radial arteries
form two arches known as the superficial and deep palmar arches.
The nurse is preparing to assess the dorsalis pedis artery. Where is the correct location for
palpation?
a. Behind the knee
b. Over the lateral malleolus
c. In the groove behind the medial malleolus
d. Lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe - CORRECT ANSWER - D
The dorsalis pedis artery is located on the dorsum of the foot. The nurse should palpate just
lateral to and parallel with the extensor tendon of the big toe. The popliteal artery is palpated
behind the knee. The posterior tibial pulse is palpated in the groove between the malleolus and
the Achilles tendon. No pulse is palpated at the lateral malleolus.
A 65-year-old patient is experiencing pain in his left calf when he exercises that disappears after
resting for a few minutes. The nurse recognizes that this description is most consistent with
_______ the left leg.
a. Venous obstruction of
b. Claudication due to venous abnormalities in
c. Ischemia caused by a partial blockage of an artery supplying
,d. Ischemia caused by the complete blockage of an artery supplying - CORRECT
ANSWER - C
Ischemia is a deficient supply of oxygenated arterial blood to a tissue. A partial blockage creates
an insufficient supply, and the ischemia may be apparent only during exercise when oxygen
needs increase.
The nurse is reviewing venous blood flow patterns. Which of these statements best describes the
mechanism(s) by which venous blood returns to the heart?
a. Intraluminal valves ensure unidirectional flow toward the heart.
b. Contracting skeletal muscles milk blood distally toward the veins.
c. High-pressure system of the heart helps facilitate venous return.
d. Increased thoracic pressure and decreased abdominal pressure facilitate venous return to the
heart. - CORRECT ANSWER - A
Blood moves through the veins by (1) contracting skeletal muscles that proximally milk the
blood; (2) pressure gradients caused by breathing, during which inspiration makes the thoracic
pressure decrease and the abdominal pressure increase; and (3) the intraluminal valves, which
ensure unidirectional flow toward the heart.
Which vein(s) is(are) responsible for most of the venous return in the arm?
a. Deep
b. Ulnar
c. Subclavian
, d. Superficial - CORRECT ANSWER - D
The superficial veins of the arms are in the subcutaneous tissue and are responsible for most of
the venous return.
A 70-year-old patient is scheduled for open-heart surgery. The surgeon plans to use the great
saphenous vein for the coronary bypass grafts. The patient asks, "What happens to my
circulation when this vein is removed?" The nurse should reply:
a. "Venous insufficiency is a common problem after this type of surgery."
b. "Oh, you have lots of veins—you won't even notice that it has been removed."
c. "You will probably experience decreased circulation after the vein is removed."
d. "This vein can be removed without harming your circulation because the deeper veins in your
leg are in good condition." - CORRECT ANSWER - D
As long as the femoral and popliteal veins remain intact, the superficial veins can be excised
without harming circulation. The other responses are not correct.
The nurse is reviewing the risk factors for venous disease. Which of these situations best
describes a person at highest risk for the development of venous disease?
a. Woman in her second month of pregnancy
b. Person who has been on bed rest for 4 days
c. Person with a 30-year, 1 pack per day smoking habit
