NSG 304 Test 1 Questions with Verified
Correct Answers
A patient is admitted to the cardiac unit with a heart rate of 55 beats per minute, and an
ECG strip shows sinus bradycardia. The nurse should prioritize which intervention?
A) Administer an antiarrhythmic medication.
B) Prepare for synchronized cardioversion.
C) Provide patient education about bradycardia.
D) Start oxygen therapy immediately.
Answer and Rationale:
C) Provide patient education about bradycardia.
Rationale: Bradycardia is a slow heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute. In sinus
bradycardia without symptoms, the priority is patient education rather than immediate
intervention. The patient should be educated about bradycardia, its potential causes, and signs
to watch for. If the patient becomes symptomatic or the heart rate drops significantly, further
interventions may be necessary.
A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation (AFib) is admitted to the cardiac unit. The
nurse knows that pharmacologic management for AFib typically includes:
A) Administering beta blockers.
B) Performing electrical cardioversion.
C) Initiating thrombolytic therapy.
D) Starting intravenous magnesium.
Answer and Rationale:
A) Administering beta blockers.
Rationale: Pharmacologic management of atrial fibrillation often involves medications to
,control the heart rate and rhythm. Beta blockers are commonly used to slow the heart rate in
AFib, helping to reduce symptoms and prevent complications like stroke. Other interventions,
such as electrical cardioversion, may be considered in certain cases, but beta blockers are a
common initial approach.
In general cardiac pharmacology, beta blockers are often prescribed for various cardiac
conditions. Which of the following statements accurately describes the action of beta
blockers?
A) They increase heart rate and contractility.
B) They dilate coronary arteries.
C) They reduce blood pressure by increasing peripheral resistance.
D) They block the effects of adrenaline on the heart.
Answer and Rationale:
D) They block the effects of adrenaline on the heart.
Rationale: Beta blockers, as the name suggests, block the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine)
on the heart. This results in a decreased heart rate, reduced contractility, and lowered blood
pressure. They are commonly used to treat conditions such as hypertension, angina, and
arrhythmias by reducing the workload on the heart.
A nurse is providing education to a patient who is scheduled to undergo a valve
replacement surgery. The patient asks the nurse about the types of valve replacements.
Which response by the nurse is accurate?
A) "There is only one type of valve replacement, and it's made of synthetic materials."
B) "There are two types of valve replacements: mechanical and bioprosthetic (tissue)
valves."
C) "Valve replacements are classified into three types: mechanical, biological, and
, natural."
D) "Valve replacements come in four different types: metal, plastic, tissue, and
ceramic."
Answer: B) "There are two types of valve replacements: mechanical and bioprosthetic
(tissue) valves."
Rationale: Valve replacements can be mechanical (usually made of metal or plastic) or
bioprosthetic (tissue valves, often from pigs or cows). This information is essential for
patients to understand the options and potential differences in valve replacement types.
A nurse is assessing a patient with mitral stenosis. Which clinical manifestation is most
characteristic of this condition?
A) Chest pain radiating to the left arm
B) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
C) Hypertension with severe headache
D) Irregular heart rhythm with palpitations
Answer: B) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Rationale: Mitral stenosis is characterized by the narrowing of the mitral valve, which
impedes blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. This can lead to symptoms such
as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, which is sudden breathlessness that occurs at night when
the patient is lying flat.
Which of the following routes is the primary mode of entry for bacteria causing
infective endocarditis?
a) Direct inoculation through open wounds
b) Inhalation of contaminated air
Correct Answers
A patient is admitted to the cardiac unit with a heart rate of 55 beats per minute, and an
ECG strip shows sinus bradycardia. The nurse should prioritize which intervention?
A) Administer an antiarrhythmic medication.
B) Prepare for synchronized cardioversion.
C) Provide patient education about bradycardia.
D) Start oxygen therapy immediately.
Answer and Rationale:
C) Provide patient education about bradycardia.
Rationale: Bradycardia is a slow heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute. In sinus
bradycardia without symptoms, the priority is patient education rather than immediate
intervention. The patient should be educated about bradycardia, its potential causes, and signs
to watch for. If the patient becomes symptomatic or the heart rate drops significantly, further
interventions may be necessary.
A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation (AFib) is admitted to the cardiac unit. The
nurse knows that pharmacologic management for AFib typically includes:
A) Administering beta blockers.
B) Performing electrical cardioversion.
C) Initiating thrombolytic therapy.
D) Starting intravenous magnesium.
Answer and Rationale:
A) Administering beta blockers.
Rationale: Pharmacologic management of atrial fibrillation often involves medications to
,control the heart rate and rhythm. Beta blockers are commonly used to slow the heart rate in
AFib, helping to reduce symptoms and prevent complications like stroke. Other interventions,
such as electrical cardioversion, may be considered in certain cases, but beta blockers are a
common initial approach.
In general cardiac pharmacology, beta blockers are often prescribed for various cardiac
conditions. Which of the following statements accurately describes the action of beta
blockers?
A) They increase heart rate and contractility.
B) They dilate coronary arteries.
C) They reduce blood pressure by increasing peripheral resistance.
D) They block the effects of adrenaline on the heart.
Answer and Rationale:
D) They block the effects of adrenaline on the heart.
Rationale: Beta blockers, as the name suggests, block the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine)
on the heart. This results in a decreased heart rate, reduced contractility, and lowered blood
pressure. They are commonly used to treat conditions such as hypertension, angina, and
arrhythmias by reducing the workload on the heart.
A nurse is providing education to a patient who is scheduled to undergo a valve
replacement surgery. The patient asks the nurse about the types of valve replacements.
Which response by the nurse is accurate?
A) "There is only one type of valve replacement, and it's made of synthetic materials."
B) "There are two types of valve replacements: mechanical and bioprosthetic (tissue)
valves."
C) "Valve replacements are classified into three types: mechanical, biological, and
, natural."
D) "Valve replacements come in four different types: metal, plastic, tissue, and
ceramic."
Answer: B) "There are two types of valve replacements: mechanical and bioprosthetic
(tissue) valves."
Rationale: Valve replacements can be mechanical (usually made of metal or plastic) or
bioprosthetic (tissue valves, often from pigs or cows). This information is essential for
patients to understand the options and potential differences in valve replacement types.
A nurse is assessing a patient with mitral stenosis. Which clinical manifestation is most
characteristic of this condition?
A) Chest pain radiating to the left arm
B) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
C) Hypertension with severe headache
D) Irregular heart rhythm with palpitations
Answer: B) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Rationale: Mitral stenosis is characterized by the narrowing of the mitral valve, which
impedes blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. This can lead to symptoms such
as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, which is sudden breathlessness that occurs at night when
the patient is lying flat.
Which of the following routes is the primary mode of entry for bacteria causing
infective endocarditis?
a) Direct inoculation through open wounds
b) Inhalation of contaminated air
