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ATI MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING EXAM
CARE OF PATIENTS WITH DYSRHYTHMIAS
WITH QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS|| LATEST AND COMPLETE VERSION
2025-2026 WITH EXPERT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS||
ASSURED PASS
A nurse assesses a client's electrocardiograph tracing and observes that not all QRS
complexes are preceded by a P wave.
How would the nurse interpret this observation?
a. The client has hyperkalemia causing irregular QRS complexes.
b. Ventricular tachycardia is overriding the normal atrial rhythm.
c. The client's chest leads are not making sufficient contact with the skin.
d. Ventricular and atrial depolarizations are initiated from different sites. -
ANSWER: D. Ventricular and atrial depolarizations are initiated from different
sites.
Normal rhythm shows one P wave preceding each QRS complex, indicating that
all depolarization is initiated at the sinoatrial node. QRS complexes without a P
wave indicate a
different source of initiation of depolarization. This finding on an
electrocardiograph tracing is not an indication of hyperkalemia, ventricular
tachycardia, or disconnection of leads.
A nurse cares for a client who has a heart rate averaging 56 beats/min with no
adverse symptoms.
Which activity modification would the nurse suggest to avoid further slowing of
the heart rate?
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a. "Make certain that your bath water is warm."
b. "Avoid straining while having a bowel movement."
c. "Limit your intake of caffeinated drinks to one a day."
d. "Avoid strenuous exercise such as running." - ANSWER: B. "Avoid straining
while having a bowel movement."
Bearing down strenuously during a bowel movement is one type of Valsalva
maneuver, which stimulates the vagus nerve and results in slowing of the heart
rate. Such a response is not
desirable in a person who has bradycardia. The other instructions are not
appropriate for this condition.
A nurse is assessing clients on a medical-surgical unit.
Which client would the nurse identify as being at greatest risk for atrial
fibrillation?
a. A 45-year-old who takes an aspirin daily.
b. A 50-year-old who is post coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
c. A 78-year-old who had a carotid endarterectomy.
d. An 80-year-old with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. - ANSWER: B. A
50-year-old who is post coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Atrial fibrillation occurs commonly in clients with cardiac disease. Other risk
factors include hypertension (HTN), previous ischemic stroke, transient ischemic
attack (TIA) or other thromboembolic event, diabetes mellitus, heart failure,
obesity, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, excessive alcohol use, and mitral
valve disease. The other conditions do not place these clients at higher risk for
atrial fibrillation.
ATI MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING EXAM
CARE OF PATIENTS WITH DYSRHYTHMIAS
WITH QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS|| LATEST AND COMPLETE VERSION
2025-2026 WITH EXPERT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS||
ASSURED PASS
A nurse assesses a client's electrocardiograph tracing and observes that not all QRS
complexes are preceded by a P wave.
How would the nurse interpret this observation?
a. The client has hyperkalemia causing irregular QRS complexes.
b. Ventricular tachycardia is overriding the normal atrial rhythm.
c. The client's chest leads are not making sufficient contact with the skin.
d. Ventricular and atrial depolarizations are initiated from different sites. -
ANSWER: D. Ventricular and atrial depolarizations are initiated from different
sites.
Normal rhythm shows one P wave preceding each QRS complex, indicating that
all depolarization is initiated at the sinoatrial node. QRS complexes without a P
wave indicate a
different source of initiation of depolarization. This finding on an
electrocardiograph tracing is not an indication of hyperkalemia, ventricular
tachycardia, or disconnection of leads.
A nurse cares for a client who has a heart rate averaging 56 beats/min with no
adverse symptoms.
Which activity modification would the nurse suggest to avoid further slowing of
the heart rate?
, 2|Page
a. "Make certain that your bath water is warm."
b. "Avoid straining while having a bowel movement."
c. "Limit your intake of caffeinated drinks to one a day."
d. "Avoid strenuous exercise such as running." - ANSWER: B. "Avoid straining
while having a bowel movement."
Bearing down strenuously during a bowel movement is one type of Valsalva
maneuver, which stimulates the vagus nerve and results in slowing of the heart
rate. Such a response is not
desirable in a person who has bradycardia. The other instructions are not
appropriate for this condition.
A nurse is assessing clients on a medical-surgical unit.
Which client would the nurse identify as being at greatest risk for atrial
fibrillation?
a. A 45-year-old who takes an aspirin daily.
b. A 50-year-old who is post coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
c. A 78-year-old who had a carotid endarterectomy.
d. An 80-year-old with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. - ANSWER: B. A
50-year-old who is post coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Atrial fibrillation occurs commonly in clients with cardiac disease. Other risk
factors include hypertension (HTN), previous ischemic stroke, transient ischemic
attack (TIA) or other thromboembolic event, diabetes mellitus, heart failure,
obesity, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, excessive alcohol use, and mitral
valve disease. The other conditions do not place these clients at higher risk for
atrial fibrillation.
