Graded A+
Which of the following are most likely to be early Provide information on the immediate need for
signs of cardiac problems in older persons? oxygen.
(Select all that apply.) Implement nutritional changes. -
ANSWERS - Evaluate blood flow to
Mental status changes peripheral tissues.
Agitation
Frequent falls Rationale: Blood flow to the tissues is measured
Sudden changes in GI function - clinically as the cardiac output, and assists to
ANSWERS - Mental status changes predict tissue perfusion. Electrical activity is
Agitation evaluated more effectively by EKG. While the
Frequent falls cardiac output is important for perfusion and
Rationale: Many cardiovascular functions are oxygenation of tissues, the oxygen saturation
complicated in that they involve many other would provide more valuable information.
systems. Mental status changes, agitation, and Nutritional changes would be targeted to sodium
falls can be early signs of cardiac problems in the and would depend on symptoms of disease.
older person. Changes in function in the GI
system are not typical signs of a cardiac Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Planning
problem. Cognitive Level: Evaluation
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Health Promotion and
Maintenance
A patient has been diagnosed with Right-Sided
Congestive Heart Failure, and is confused about
return of deoxygenated blood from the tissue. To Nurses can best help older clients prevent
clarify the confusion, which chamber of the heart hypertension by teaching:
receives blood from systemic circulation?
Low-fat, low-cholesterol diets.
Left atrium The importance of exercise.
Right atrium How to handle stressful situations.
Right ventricle How to maintain a normal blood pressure. -
Left ventricle - ANSWERS - Right atrium ANSWERS - How to maintain a normal
Rationale: The right atrium is a thin-walled blood pressure.
structure that receives deoxygenated blood from
all the peripheral tissues by way of the superior Rationale: Hypertension is a major risk factor for
and inferior vena cava and from the heart muscle other cardiovascular conditions. In persons older
by way of the coronary sinus. than 50, systolic blood pressure greater than 140
mm Hg is a much more important cardiovascular
disease risk factor than is diastolic blood
pressure. The risk of cardiovascular disease,
It is important that the nurse be knowledgeable beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, doubles with each
about cardiac output in order to: increment of 20/10 mm Hg. Answers 1, 2, and 3
are important elements to include in education of
Evaluate blood flow to peripheral tissues. a patient with blood pressure elevation, and are
Determine the electrical activity of the included in the correct answer.
myocardium.
,Cardiovascular NCLEX questions with 100% Verified Answers
Graded A+
Pulmonary embolus
Herpes zoster (shingles) - ANSWERS -
Modification of lifestyle behaviors to help manage Aortic stenosis
hypertension does not include which of the Acid reflux
following? (Select all that apply.) Pulmonary embolus
Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as
Weight loss of even 10 pounds a vesicular rash along a dermatome, not chronic
The DASH diet ischemic pain.
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Evaluation
Alcohol intake with meals - ANSWERS - Cognitive Level: Evaluation
Alcohol intake with meals NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Physiological Integrity;
\ Physiological Adaptation
Rationale: Weight loss of even 10 pounds; fruits, Rationale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as
vegetables, and whole grains; the DASH diet; a vesicular rash along a dermatome, not chronic
and a daily exercise regimen will help reduce ischemic pain.
high blood pressure. Alcohol intake with meals
should be reduced to help manage high blood
pressure.
Older clients experiencing anginal pain with
complaints of fatigue or weakness usually are
medicated with which of the following types of
A patient receiving the drug simvastatin (Zocor) medication?
should be taught this medication helps to prevent
coronary heart disease by: Sublingual nitroglycerin
Cardiac glycosides
Increasing lower-density lipoprotein. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Controlling lower-density lipoprotein. Morphine sulfate - ANSWERS - Sublingual
Increasing triglycerides. nitroglycerin
Increasing very low-density lipoprotein. -
ANSWERS - Controlling lower-density Rationale: Angina frequently is managed with
lipoprotein. sublingual nitroglycerin, which causes
vasodilation and increases blood flow to the
Rationale: The Heart Protective Study has also coronary arteries. Cardiac glycosides are used to
shown that controlling low-density lipoprotein treat heart failure, and morphine is used to treat
(LDL) with simvastatin (Zocor) assists in the myocardial infarction. The HMG-CoA reductase
prevention of coronary heart disease by raising inhibitors are used for patients with type 2
HDL. Responses 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect. diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following are direct causes of Which of the following diagnostic studies most
chronic ischemic pain? (Select all that apply.) likely would confirm a myocardial infarction?
Aortic stenosis Serum myoglobin level
Acid reflux Creatinine kinase (CK)
, Cardiovascular NCLEX questions with 100% Verified Answers
Graded A+
White blood cell count (WBC) Duplex Doppler
Troponin T levels - ANSWERS - Troponin Echocardiogram
T levels Electrocardiogram - ANSWERS -
Echocardiogram
Rationale: CK-MB elevates 4-6 hours after tissue
necrosis. Troponin levels rise 6-8 hours after the Rationale: The echocardiogram is the preferred
infarct (tissue necrosis) but also can occur with test to evaluate heart valves, because it allows
other types of tissue damage. Myoglobin also the visualization of the valves as they open and
elevates, but to a lesser degree. WBC levels close. A chest x-ray will determine the size of the
elevate with an inflammatory response. Troponin heart, the duplex measures blood flow through
levels are more elevated than are the other major arteries, and an electrocardiogram
cardiac enzymes, are more specific to cardiac identifies electrical activity.
tissue, and rise 6-8 hours after the infarct (tissue
necrosis).
An elderly client is being monitored for evidence
of congestive heart failure. To detect early signs
A client with post-myocardial infarction develops of heart failure, the nurse would instruct the
acute bacterial pericarditis. Which of the certified nursing attendant (CNA) to do which of
following medications would the physician most the following during care of the patient?
likely prescribe as the primary drug?
Observe electrocardiogram readings and report
Ticarcillin disodium (Ticar) deviations to the nurse.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Assist the client with ambulation three times
Ibuprofen (Motrin) during the shift.
Trioxsalen (Trisoralen) - ANSWERS - Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes and report
Ticarcillin disodium (Ticar) each reading to the nurse.
Accurately weigh the patient, and report and
Rationale: Acute bacterial pericarditis is a record the readings. - ANSWERS -
complication that can occur post-myocardial Accurately weigh the patient, and report and
infarction. Acute bacterial pericarditis usually record the readings.
requires antibiotics. NSAIDs usually are
prescribed to relieve pain from the inflammatory Rationale: Due to fluid accumulation, an
process. If the NSAIDs do not relieve pain within expanded blood volume can result when the
48 to 96 hours, corticosteroids are ordered. heart fails. Body weight is a sensitive indicator of
There is no mention of pain in the stem of the water and sodium retention, which will manifest
question. Trisoralen is used to repigment skin for itself with edema, dyspnea - especially nocturnal
persons with vitiligo. - and pedal edema. Patients also should be
instructed about the need to perform daily
weights upon discharge to monitor body water. It
is not within the role of the CNA to monitor ECG
Which of the following diagnostic tests is readings, and ambulation is not an assessment.
preferred for evaluating heart valve function? Vital signs every 15 minute are not necessary for
this level of patient care.
Chest x-ray