CARDIAC ATI EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT
◉ b. Speech alterations
Clients with atrial fibrillation are at risk for embolic stroke. Evidence of
embolic events includes changes in mentation, speech, sensory function,
and motor function. Clients with atrial fibrillation often have a rapid
ventricular response as a result. Fatigue is a nonspecific complaint.
Clients with atrial fibrillation often have dyspnea as a result of the
decreased cardiac output caused by the rhythm disturbance. Answer: A
nurse assesses a client with atrial fibrillation. Which manifestation
should alert the nurse to the possibility of a serious complication from
this condition?
a. Sinus tachycardia
b. Speech alterations
c. Fatigue
d. Dyspnea with activity
◉ b. Warfarin (Coumadin)
,Atrial fibrillation puts clients at risk for developing emboli. Clients at
risk for emboli are treated with anticoagulants, such as heparin,
enoxaparin, or warfarin. Sotalol, atropine, and lidocaine are not
appropriate for this complication. Answer: A nurse evaluates
prescriptions for a client with chronic atrial fibrillation. Which
medication should the nurse expect to find on this clients medication
administration record to prevent a common complication of this
condition?
a. Sotalol (Betapace)
b. Warfarin (Coumadin)
c. Atropine (Sal-Tropine)
d. Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
◉ c. Short period of asystole
Clients usually respond to adenosine with a short period of asystole,
bradycardia, hypotension, dyspnea, and chest pain. Adenosine has no
conclusive impact on intraocular pressure. Answer: A nurse administers
prescribed adenosine (Adenocard) to a client. Which response should the
nurse assess for as the expected therapeutic response?
a. Decreased intraocular pressure
b. Increased heart rate
c. Short period of asystole
d. Hypertensive crisis
,◉ c. Level of consciousness
A heart rate of 40 beats/min or less with widened QRS complexes could
have hemodynamic consequences. The client is at risk for inadequate
cerebral perfusion. The nurse should assess for level of consciousness,
light- headedness, confusion, syncope, and seizure activity. Although the
other assessments should be completed, the clients level of
consciousness is the priority. Answer: A telemetry nurse assesses a client
with third-degree heart block who has wide QRS complexes and a heart
rate of 35 beats/min on the cardiac monitor. Which assessment should
the nurse complete next?
a. Pulmonary auscultation
b. Pulse strength and amplitude
c. Level of consciousness
d. Mobility and gait stability
◉ d. Ensure that everyone is clear of contact with the client and the bed.
To avoid injury, the rescuer commands that all personnel clear contact
with the client or the bed and ensures their compliance before delivery
of the shock. A precordial thump can be delivered when no defibrillator
is available. Defibrillation is done in asynchronous mode. Equipment
should not be tested before a client is defibrillated because this is an
, emergency procedure; equipment should be checked on a routine basis.
Epinephrine should be administered after defibrillation. Answer: A nurse
prepares to defibrillate a client who is in ventricular fibrillation. Which
priority intervention should the nurse perform prior to defibrillating this
client?
a. Make sure the defibrillator is set to the synchronous mode.
b. Administer 1 mg of intravenous epinephrine.
c. Test the equipment by delivering a smaller shock at 100 joules.
d. Ensure that everyone is clear of contact with the client and the bed.
◉ c. Schedule periods of exercise and rest during the day.
Clients who have atrial fibrillation are at risk for decreased cardiac
output and fatigue when completing activities of daily living. The nurse
should schedule periods of exercise and rest during the day to decrease
fatigue. The other interventions will not assist the client with self-care
activities. Answer: A nurse cares for a client with atrial fibrillation who
reports fatigue when completing activities of daily living. What
interventions should the nurse implement to address this clients
concerns?
a. Administer oxygen therapy at 2 liters per nasal cannula.
b. Provide the client with a sleeping pill to stimulate rest.
c. Schedule periods of exercise and rest during the day.
d. Ask unlicensed assistive personnel to help bathe the client.
WITH SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT
◉ b. Speech alterations
Clients with atrial fibrillation are at risk for embolic stroke. Evidence of
embolic events includes changes in mentation, speech, sensory function,
and motor function. Clients with atrial fibrillation often have a rapid
ventricular response as a result. Fatigue is a nonspecific complaint.
Clients with atrial fibrillation often have dyspnea as a result of the
decreased cardiac output caused by the rhythm disturbance. Answer: A
nurse assesses a client with atrial fibrillation. Which manifestation
should alert the nurse to the possibility of a serious complication from
this condition?
a. Sinus tachycardia
b. Speech alterations
c. Fatigue
d. Dyspnea with activity
◉ b. Warfarin (Coumadin)
,Atrial fibrillation puts clients at risk for developing emboli. Clients at
risk for emboli are treated with anticoagulants, such as heparin,
enoxaparin, or warfarin. Sotalol, atropine, and lidocaine are not
appropriate for this complication. Answer: A nurse evaluates
prescriptions for a client with chronic atrial fibrillation. Which
medication should the nurse expect to find on this clients medication
administration record to prevent a common complication of this
condition?
a. Sotalol (Betapace)
b. Warfarin (Coumadin)
c. Atropine (Sal-Tropine)
d. Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
◉ c. Short period of asystole
Clients usually respond to adenosine with a short period of asystole,
bradycardia, hypotension, dyspnea, and chest pain. Adenosine has no
conclusive impact on intraocular pressure. Answer: A nurse administers
prescribed adenosine (Adenocard) to a client. Which response should the
nurse assess for as the expected therapeutic response?
a. Decreased intraocular pressure
b. Increased heart rate
c. Short period of asystole
d. Hypertensive crisis
,◉ c. Level of consciousness
A heart rate of 40 beats/min or less with widened QRS complexes could
have hemodynamic consequences. The client is at risk for inadequate
cerebral perfusion. The nurse should assess for level of consciousness,
light- headedness, confusion, syncope, and seizure activity. Although the
other assessments should be completed, the clients level of
consciousness is the priority. Answer: A telemetry nurse assesses a client
with third-degree heart block who has wide QRS complexes and a heart
rate of 35 beats/min on the cardiac monitor. Which assessment should
the nurse complete next?
a. Pulmonary auscultation
b. Pulse strength and amplitude
c. Level of consciousness
d. Mobility and gait stability
◉ d. Ensure that everyone is clear of contact with the client and the bed.
To avoid injury, the rescuer commands that all personnel clear contact
with the client or the bed and ensures their compliance before delivery
of the shock. A precordial thump can be delivered when no defibrillator
is available. Defibrillation is done in asynchronous mode. Equipment
should not be tested before a client is defibrillated because this is an
, emergency procedure; equipment should be checked on a routine basis.
Epinephrine should be administered after defibrillation. Answer: A nurse
prepares to defibrillate a client who is in ventricular fibrillation. Which
priority intervention should the nurse perform prior to defibrillating this
client?
a. Make sure the defibrillator is set to the synchronous mode.
b. Administer 1 mg of intravenous epinephrine.
c. Test the equipment by delivering a smaller shock at 100 joules.
d. Ensure that everyone is clear of contact with the client and the bed.
◉ c. Schedule periods of exercise and rest during the day.
Clients who have atrial fibrillation are at risk for decreased cardiac
output and fatigue when completing activities of daily living. The nurse
should schedule periods of exercise and rest during the day to decrease
fatigue. The other interventions will not assist the client with self-care
activities. Answer: A nurse cares for a client with atrial fibrillation who
reports fatigue when completing activities of daily living. What
interventions should the nurse implement to address this clients
concerns?
a. Administer oxygen therapy at 2 liters per nasal cannula.
b. Provide the client with a sleeping pill to stimulate rest.
c. Schedule periods of exercise and rest during the day.
d. Ask unlicensed assistive personnel to help bathe the client.
