RATED A+ 2025/2026 NEW!!
Which of the following are most likely to be early signs of cardiac problems in older persons?
(Select all that apply.)
Mental status changes
Agita on
Frequent falls
Sudden changes in GI func on - Correct Answers Mental status changes
Agita on
Frequent falls
Ra onale: Many cardiovascular func ons are complicated in that they involve many other
systems. Mental status changes, agita on, and falls can be early signs of cardiac problems in the
older person. Changes in func on in the GI system are not typical signs of a cardiac problem.
A pa ent has been diagnosed with Right-Sided Conges ve Heart Failure, and is confused about
return of deoxygenated blood from the ssue. To clarify the confusion, which chamber of the
heart receives blood from systemic circula on?
Le. atrium
Right atrium
Right ventricle
Le. ventricle - Correct Answers Right atrium
Ra onale: The right atrium is a thin-walled structure that receives deoxygenated blood from all
the peripheral ssues by way of the superior and inferior vena cava and from the heart muscle
by way of the coronary sinus.
,It is important that the nurse be knowledgeable about cardiac output in order to:
Evaluate blood flow to peripheral ssues.
Determine the electrical ac vity of the myocardium.
Provide informa on on the immediate need for oxygen.
Implement nutri onal changes. - Correct Answers Evaluate blood flow to peripheral ssues.
Ra onale: Blood flow to the ssues is measured clinically as the cardiac output, and assists to
predict ssue perfusion. Electrical ac vity is evaluated more effec vely by EKG. While the
cardiac output is important for perfusion and oxygena on of ssues, the oxygen satura on
would provide more valuable informa on. Nutri onal changes would be targeted to sodium and
would depend on symptoms of disease.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Planning
Cogni ve Level: Evalua on
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Health Promo on and Maintenance
Nurses can best help older clients prevent hypertension by teaching:
Low-fat, low-cholesterol diets.
The importance of exercise.
How to handle stressful situa ons.
How to maintain a normal blood pressure. - Correct Answers How to maintain a normal blood
pressure.
Ra onale: Hypertension is a major risk factor for other cardiovascular condi ons. In persons
older 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, beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. Answers 1,
2, and 3 are important elements to include in educa on of a pa ent with blood pressure
eleva on, and are included in the correct answer.
Modifica on of lifestyle behaviors to help manage hypertension does not include which of the
following? (Select all that apply.)
Weight loss of even 10 pounds
The DASH diet
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Alcohol intake with meals - Correct Answers Alcohol intake with meals
\
Ra onale: Weight loss of even 10 pounds; fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; the DASH diet;
and a daily exercise regimen will help reduce high blood pressure. Alcohol intake with meals
should be reduced to help manage high blood pressure.
A pa ent receiving the drug simvasta n (Zocor) should be taught this medica on helps to
prevent coronary heart disease by:
Increasing lower-density lipoprotein.
Controlling lower-density lipoprotein.
Increasing triglycerides.
Increasing very low-density lipoprotein. - Correct Answers Controlling lower-density
lipoprotein.
Ra onale: The Heart Protec ve Study has also shown that controlling low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) with simvasta n (Zocor) assists in the preven on of coronary heart disease by raising HDL.
Responses 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
, Which of the following are direct causes of chronic ischemic pain? (Select all that apply.)
Aor c stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
Herpes zoster (shingles) - Correct Answers Aor c stenosis
Acid reflux
Pulmonary embolus
Ra onale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as a vesicular rash along a dermatome, not
chronic ischemic pain.
Integrated Process: Nursing Process; Evalua on
Cogni ve Level: Evalua on
NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Physiological Integrity; Physiological Adapta on
Ra onale: Herpes zoster (shingles) manifests as a vesicular rash along a dermatome, not chronic
ischemic pain.
Older clients experiencing anginal pain with complaints of fa gue or weakness usually are
medicated with which of the following types of medica on?
Sublingual nitroglycerin
Cardiac glycosides
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Morphine sulfate - Correct Answers Sublingual nitroglycerin
Ra onale: Angina frequently is managed with sublingual nitroglycerin, which causes
vasodila on and increases blood flow to the coronary arteries. Cardiac glycosides are used to
treat heart failure, and morphine is used to treat myocardial infarc on. The HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors are used for pa ents with type 2 diabetes mellitus.