NUR361 CARDIAC PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
\.While obtaining subjective assessment data from a patient with hypertension,
the nurse recognizes that a modifiable risk factor for the development of
hypertension is:
A. a low calcium diet
B. excessive alcohol intake
C. a family history of hypertension
D. consumption of a high protein diet - ANSWERS✔-B. excessive alcohol intake
\.In teaching a patient with hypertension about controlling the illness, the nurse
recognizes that:
A. all patients with elevated BP require medication
B. obese persons must achieve a normal weight to lower BP
C. It is not necessary to limit salt in the diet if taking a diuretic
D. lifestyle modifications are indicated for all persons with eleveated BP -
ANSWERS✔-D. lifestyle modifications are indicated for all persons with elevated
BP
,\.A patient with a newly discovered high BP has an average reading of 158/98
after 3 months of exercise and diet modification. Which management strategy will
be a priority for this patient?
A. medication will be required b/c the BP is still not at goal
B. BP monitoring should continue for another 3 months to confirm diagnosis of
hypertension
C. lifestyle changes are less important, since they were not effective, and
medications will be started
D. more vigorous changes in the patients lifestyle are needed for a longer time
before starting medications - ANSWERS✔-A. medications will be required b/c the
BP is still not at goal
\.A patient is admitted to the hospital in hypertensive emergency (BP is 244/142).
Sodium nitroprusside is started to treat the elevated BP. Which management
strategies would be appropriate for this patient (Select all that apply)
A. measuring hourly urine output
B. decreasing MAP by 50% within the first hour
C. continuous BP monitoring with an arterial line
D. maintaining bed rest and providing tranquilizers to lower the BP
E. assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of heart failure and changes in
mental status - ANSWERS✔-A. measuring hourly urine output
C. continuous BP monitoring with an arterial line
E. assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of heart failure and changes in
mental status
,\.In teaching a patient about CAD, the nurse explains that the changes that occur
in this disorder include (Select all that apply)
A. diffuse involvement of plaque formation in coronary veins
B. abnormal levels of cholesterol, especially LDL's
C. accumulation of lipid and fibrous tissue within the coronary arteries
D. development of angina due to a decreased blood supply to the heart muscle
E. chronic vasoconstriction of coronary arteries leading to permanent vasospasm -
ANSWERS✔-B. abnormal levels of cholesterol, especially LDL's
C. accumulation of lipid and fibrous tissue within the coronary arteries
D. development of angina due to decreased blood supply to the heart muscle
\.After teaching about ways to decrease risk factors for CAD, the nurse recognizes
that additional instruction is needed when the patient says:
A. I would like to add weight lifting to my exercise program
B. I can only keep my blood pressure normal with medication
C. I can change my diet to decrease my intake of saturated fats
D. I will change my lifestyle to reduce activities that increase my stress -
ANSWERS✔-A. I would life to add weight lifting to my exercise program
\.A hospitalized patient with a history of chronic stable angina tells the nurse that
she is having chest pain. The nurse bases his actions on the knowledge that
ischemia:
, A. will always progress to myocardial infarction
B. will be relieved by rest, nitroglycerin, or both
C. indicates that irreversible myocardial damage is occurring
D. is frequently associated with vomiting and extreme fatigue - ANSWERS✔-B. will
be relieved by rest, nitroglycerin, or both
\.The nurse is caring for a patient who is 2 days post MI. The patient reports that
she is experiencing chest pain. She states , "It hurts when I take a deep breathe."
What action would be priority?
A. notify physician STAT and obtain a 12 lead EKG
B. obtain vital signs and auscultate for a pericardial friction rub
C. apply high flow O2 by face mask and auscultate breath sounds
D. medicate the patient with PRN analgesic and reevaluate in 30 mins -
ANSWERS✔-B. obtain vital signs and auscultate for a pericardial friction rub
\.A patient is admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of unstable angina. Which drugs
would the nurse expect the patient to receive (Select all that apply):
A. ACE inhibitors
B. anti-platelet therapy
C. thrombolytic therapy
D. prophylactic antibiotics
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
\.While obtaining subjective assessment data from a patient with hypertension,
the nurse recognizes that a modifiable risk factor for the development of
hypertension is:
A. a low calcium diet
B. excessive alcohol intake
C. a family history of hypertension
D. consumption of a high protein diet - ANSWERS✔-B. excessive alcohol intake
\.In teaching a patient with hypertension about controlling the illness, the nurse
recognizes that:
A. all patients with elevated BP require medication
B. obese persons must achieve a normal weight to lower BP
C. It is not necessary to limit salt in the diet if taking a diuretic
D. lifestyle modifications are indicated for all persons with eleveated BP -
ANSWERS✔-D. lifestyle modifications are indicated for all persons with elevated
BP
,\.A patient with a newly discovered high BP has an average reading of 158/98
after 3 months of exercise and diet modification. Which management strategy will
be a priority for this patient?
A. medication will be required b/c the BP is still not at goal
B. BP monitoring should continue for another 3 months to confirm diagnosis of
hypertension
C. lifestyle changes are less important, since they were not effective, and
medications will be started
D. more vigorous changes in the patients lifestyle are needed for a longer time
before starting medications - ANSWERS✔-A. medications will be required b/c the
BP is still not at goal
\.A patient is admitted to the hospital in hypertensive emergency (BP is 244/142).
Sodium nitroprusside is started to treat the elevated BP. Which management
strategies would be appropriate for this patient (Select all that apply)
A. measuring hourly urine output
B. decreasing MAP by 50% within the first hour
C. continuous BP monitoring with an arterial line
D. maintaining bed rest and providing tranquilizers to lower the BP
E. assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of heart failure and changes in
mental status - ANSWERS✔-A. measuring hourly urine output
C. continuous BP monitoring with an arterial line
E. assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of heart failure and changes in
mental status
,\.In teaching a patient about CAD, the nurse explains that the changes that occur
in this disorder include (Select all that apply)
A. diffuse involvement of plaque formation in coronary veins
B. abnormal levels of cholesterol, especially LDL's
C. accumulation of lipid and fibrous tissue within the coronary arteries
D. development of angina due to a decreased blood supply to the heart muscle
E. chronic vasoconstriction of coronary arteries leading to permanent vasospasm -
ANSWERS✔-B. abnormal levels of cholesterol, especially LDL's
C. accumulation of lipid and fibrous tissue within the coronary arteries
D. development of angina due to decreased blood supply to the heart muscle
\.After teaching about ways to decrease risk factors for CAD, the nurse recognizes
that additional instruction is needed when the patient says:
A. I would like to add weight lifting to my exercise program
B. I can only keep my blood pressure normal with medication
C. I can change my diet to decrease my intake of saturated fats
D. I will change my lifestyle to reduce activities that increase my stress -
ANSWERS✔-A. I would life to add weight lifting to my exercise program
\.A hospitalized patient with a history of chronic stable angina tells the nurse that
she is having chest pain. The nurse bases his actions on the knowledge that
ischemia:
, A. will always progress to myocardial infarction
B. will be relieved by rest, nitroglycerin, or both
C. indicates that irreversible myocardial damage is occurring
D. is frequently associated with vomiting and extreme fatigue - ANSWERS✔-B. will
be relieved by rest, nitroglycerin, or both
\.The nurse is caring for a patient who is 2 days post MI. The patient reports that
she is experiencing chest pain. She states , "It hurts when I take a deep breathe."
What action would be priority?
A. notify physician STAT and obtain a 12 lead EKG
B. obtain vital signs and auscultate for a pericardial friction rub
C. apply high flow O2 by face mask and auscultate breath sounds
D. medicate the patient with PRN analgesic and reevaluate in 30 mins -
ANSWERS✔-B. obtain vital signs and auscultate for a pericardial friction rub
\.A patient is admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of unstable angina. Which drugs
would the nurse expect the patient to receive (Select all that apply):
A. ACE inhibitors
B. anti-platelet therapy
C. thrombolytic therapy
D. prophylactic antibiotics
