PCCN Review – Cardiac (Review Questions for the Progressive Care Certification Test as given by the AACN) with Complete Solutions.

Calculate the cardiac output for a pt with a HR of 70 and a SV of 65 ml. - ANSWER-HR X SV=CO 70 X 65= 4550 4.6 L/min Calculate the cardiac output for a pt with a HR of 70 and a SV of 65 ml. HR X SV=CO - ANSWER-HR X SV=CO 70 X 65= 4550 4.6 L/min What % of the cardiac cycle is provided by the atrial kick? • 15% • 20% • 30% • 35% - ANSWER-20% Atrial kick is a term that represents the amount of the total CO that is supplied via atrial contraction. If the pt has a condition or dysrhythmia that impairs or eliminates the atrial contraction, the pt may be compromised. Atrial Kick - ANSWER-Atrial kick is a term that represents the amount of the total CO that is supplied via atrial contraction. A normal value for an EF would be? • 65% • 40% • 30% • 25% - ANSWER-65% The EF should be more than 50%. It represents the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle compared to the total amount available, expressed as a %. An EF of 35% or less indicates a problem with contractility, outflow or filling. EXA: If the ventricle contains 90ml of blood and 50mls are ejected, the amount would be expressed as a %, in this case 55%. A 67 year old male is admitted with chest pain after collapsing at home. He is arguing with his wife that he should not be admitted because he "just over did it" while working in the world. Lee's wife states to you that his chest pain is more frequent, severe and prolonged than before. You should anticipate what diagnosis? • Exertional angina • Unstable angina • Variant angina • Stable angina - ANSWER-UNSTABLE ANGINA The change in quality, frequency, and duration indicates UNSTABLE ANGINA and may indicate that the pt is at increased risk for an MI. This pt should be closely monitored for EKG changes and rhythm disturbances. Pt/ family teaching should begin on how to identify an MI and basic CPR. Stroke Volume is comprised of which of the following factors? • Blood volume, viscosity, impedance • Cardiac output, HR, compliance • Contractility, preload, afterload • Compliance, impedance, HR - ANSWER-Contractility, preload and afterload A reflex tachycardia caused by the stretch of the right atrial receptors is known as the ____ • Herring-Sines law • Renin-angiotensin system • Starling's law • Bainbridge reflex - ANSWER-BAINBRIDGE REFLEX It is believed that this reflex exists to speed up the HR if the right side becomes overl