Chapter 21 Assessment of Cardiovascular Function
1. A nurse is describing the process by which blood is ejected into circulation as the chambers of
the heart become smaller. The instructor categorizes this action of the heart as what?
A) Systole
B) Diastole
C) Repolarization
D) Ejection fraction
Ans: A
Feedback:
Systole is the action of the chambers of the heart becoming smaller and ejecting blood.
This action of the heart is not diastole (relaxations), ejection fraction (the amount of blood
expelled), or repolarization (electrical charging).
2. During a shift assessment, the nurse is identifying the client's point of maximum impulse
(PMI). Where will the nurse best palpate the PMI?
A) Left midclavicular line of the chest at the level of the nipple
B) Left midclavicular line of the chest at the fifth intercostal space
C) Midline between the xiphoid process and the left nipple
D) Two to three centimeters to the left of the sternum
Ans: B
Feedback:
The left ventricle is responsible for the apical beat or the point of maximum impulse, which is
normally palpated in the left midclavicular line of the chest wall at the fifth intercostal space.
,3. The nurse is calculating a cardiac patient's pulse pressure. If the patient's blood pressure is
122/76 mm Hg, what is the patient's pulse pressure?
A) 46 mm Hg
B) 99 mm Hg C) 198 mm Hg D) 76 mm Hg Ans: A Feedback:
Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure. In this case,
this value is 46 mm Hg.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with unstable angina. The laboratory result for the
initial troponin I is elevated in this patient. The nurse should recognize what implication of this
assessment finding?
A) This is only an accurate indicator of myocardial damage when it reaches its peak
in 24 hours.
B) Because the patient has a history of unstable angina, this is a poor indicator of
myocardial injury.
C) This is an accurate indicator of myocardial injury.
D) This result indicates muscle injury, but does not specify the source. Ans: C
Feedback:
Troponin I, which is specific to cardiac muscle, is elevated within hours after
myocardial injury. Even with a diagnosis of unstable angina, this is an accurate indicator of
myocardial injury.
5. The nurse is conducting patient teaching about cholesterol levels. When discussing the
patient's elevated LDL and lowered HDL levels, the patient shows an understanding of the
significance of these levels by stating what?
A) ìIncreased LDL and decreased HDL increase my risk of coronary artery disease.î
B) ìIncreased LDL has the potential to decrease my risk of heart disease.î
C) ìThe decreased HDL level will increase the amount of cholesterol moved away
from the artery walls.î
, D) ìThe increased LDL will decrease the amount of cholesterol deposited on the
artery walls.î
Ans: A
Feedback:
Elevated LDL levels and decreased HDL levels are associated with a greater incidence
of coronary artery disease.
6. The physician has placed a central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring line in an acutely ill
patient so right ventricular function and venous blood return can be closely monitored. The
results show decreased CVP. What does this indicate?
A) Possible hypovolemia
B) Possible myocardial infarction (MI)
C) Left-sided heart failure
D) Aortic valve regurgitation
Ans: A
Feedback:
Hypovolemia may cause a decreased CVP. MI, valve regurgitation and heart failure are less
likely causes of decreased CVP.
1. A nurse is describing the process by which blood is ejected into circulation as the chambers of
the heart become smaller. The instructor categorizes this action of the heart as what?
A) Systole
B) Diastole
C) Repolarization
D) Ejection fraction
Ans: A
Feedback:
Systole is the action of the chambers of the heart becoming smaller and ejecting blood.
This action of the heart is not diastole (relaxations), ejection fraction (the amount of blood
expelled), or repolarization (electrical charging).
2. During a shift assessment, the nurse is identifying the client's point of maximum impulse
(PMI). Where will the nurse best palpate the PMI?
A) Left midclavicular line of the chest at the level of the nipple
B) Left midclavicular line of the chest at the fifth intercostal space
C) Midline between the xiphoid process and the left nipple
D) Two to three centimeters to the left of the sternum
Ans: B
Feedback:
The left ventricle is responsible for the apical beat or the point of maximum impulse, which is
normally palpated in the left midclavicular line of the chest wall at the fifth intercostal space.
,3. The nurse is calculating a cardiac patient's pulse pressure. If the patient's blood pressure is
122/76 mm Hg, what is the patient's pulse pressure?
A) 46 mm Hg
B) 99 mm Hg C) 198 mm Hg D) 76 mm Hg Ans: A Feedback:
Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure. In this case,
this value is 46 mm Hg.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with unstable angina. The laboratory result for the
initial troponin I is elevated in this patient. The nurse should recognize what implication of this
assessment finding?
A) This is only an accurate indicator of myocardial damage when it reaches its peak
in 24 hours.
B) Because the patient has a history of unstable angina, this is a poor indicator of
myocardial injury.
C) This is an accurate indicator of myocardial injury.
D) This result indicates muscle injury, but does not specify the source. Ans: C
Feedback:
Troponin I, which is specific to cardiac muscle, is elevated within hours after
myocardial injury. Even with a diagnosis of unstable angina, this is an accurate indicator of
myocardial injury.
5. The nurse is conducting patient teaching about cholesterol levels. When discussing the
patient's elevated LDL and lowered HDL levels, the patient shows an understanding of the
significance of these levels by stating what?
A) ìIncreased LDL and decreased HDL increase my risk of coronary artery disease.î
B) ìIncreased LDL has the potential to decrease my risk of heart disease.î
C) ìThe decreased HDL level will increase the amount of cholesterol moved away
from the artery walls.î
, D) ìThe increased LDL will decrease the amount of cholesterol deposited on the
artery walls.î
Ans: A
Feedback:
Elevated LDL levels and decreased HDL levels are associated with a greater incidence
of coronary artery disease.
6. The physician has placed a central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring line in an acutely ill
patient so right ventricular function and venous blood return can be closely monitored. The
results show decreased CVP. What does this indicate?
A) Possible hypovolemia
B) Possible myocardial infarction (MI)
C) Left-sided heart failure
D) Aortic valve regurgitation
Ans: A
Feedback:
Hypovolemia may cause a decreased CVP. MI, valve regurgitation and heart failure are less
likely causes of decreased CVP.
