NURS 480 Exam Study Questions
with Elaborate Answers | Latest
Edition
1. Reading an ECG Strip - ANSWER - Each small box is 0.04 seconds
- Each large box is 0.20 seconds
- 30 large boxes = 6 seconds
2. Premature Atrial Contraction - ANSWER - early electrical impulse initiated
by neural tissue in the atria
- Causes: stimulants, strong emotion, smoking tobacco, caffeine
- Intervention: check electrolytes, lifestyle changes
3. Sinus Bradycardia - ANSWER - HR < 60 bpm
- Rhythm: regular
- Risk Factors: hypoxia, medications (beta-blockers), lyme disease,
hypothyroid, hypothermia
- Symptoms: asymptomatic, syncope, low BP, SOB, dizziness,
confusion
- Treatment: Atropine
,4. Heart Failure Types - ANSWER -Left sided: systolic (estimated by ejection
fraction) and diastolic (less defined and more difficult to measure; impaired
relaxation filling); decreased cardiac output (tachycardia, confusion) and
pulmonary congestion (crackles, tachypnea)
-Right sided: most common cause is Left sided but can also be pulmonary
disease or primary pulmonary artery HTN; systemic congestion (JVD, edema,
affected BP)
-High output heart failure
5. Functional classifications of Heart Failure - ANSWER -Class I: mild; no
limitation of physical activity
-Class II: mild; slight limitation, comfortable at rest but ordinary physical
activity results in fatigue, palpitations, or SOB
-Class III: moderate; marked limitation of activity; comfortable at rest but less
than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitations or SOB
-Class IV: severe; unable to carry out activities without discomfort; fatigue,
palpitations, SOB present at rest
6. Interventions and Labs for Heart Failure - ANSWER -Labs: ECG, chest x
ray, Echo, CBC, BMP, cardiac enzymes, ABG, BNP, exercise testing
, -Interventions: diuretics (potassium sparing), beta blockers, Pacer, CPAP, ACE
inhibitor, BP/HR monitor, elevate edema, daily weights, change diet (low fat,
fluid, cholesterol, salt)
7. Heart Valve Disease: Aortic Stenosis - ANSWER -Fibrosis/ calcification of
valve
-Narrowing valve-> increased L ventricle pressure/dilation -> L ventricle
hypertrophy
-May eventually lead to L sided Heart failure then R sided
8. Heart Valve Disease: Mitral Regurgitation - ANSWER -Fibrosis/
calcification of valve
-Incomplete closure of valve ->backflow of blood into L atrium-> L
atrium/ventricle hypertrophy
-May eventually lead to R sided heart failure from increased preload/afterload
on L side of heart
9. Heart Valve Disease: Atrial Regurgitation - ANSWER -Fibrosis/
calcification of valve
-Incomplete closure of valve-> backflow of blood into L atrium decreasing
blood flow with ejection ->L ventricle hypertrophy
-Initially may be asymptomatic due to compensation of L ventricle
with Elaborate Answers | Latest
Edition
1. Reading an ECG Strip - ANSWER - Each small box is 0.04 seconds
- Each large box is 0.20 seconds
- 30 large boxes = 6 seconds
2. Premature Atrial Contraction - ANSWER - early electrical impulse initiated
by neural tissue in the atria
- Causes: stimulants, strong emotion, smoking tobacco, caffeine
- Intervention: check electrolytes, lifestyle changes
3. Sinus Bradycardia - ANSWER - HR < 60 bpm
- Rhythm: regular
- Risk Factors: hypoxia, medications (beta-blockers), lyme disease,
hypothyroid, hypothermia
- Symptoms: asymptomatic, syncope, low BP, SOB, dizziness,
confusion
- Treatment: Atropine
,4. Heart Failure Types - ANSWER -Left sided: systolic (estimated by ejection
fraction) and diastolic (less defined and more difficult to measure; impaired
relaxation filling); decreased cardiac output (tachycardia, confusion) and
pulmonary congestion (crackles, tachypnea)
-Right sided: most common cause is Left sided but can also be pulmonary
disease or primary pulmonary artery HTN; systemic congestion (JVD, edema,
affected BP)
-High output heart failure
5. Functional classifications of Heart Failure - ANSWER -Class I: mild; no
limitation of physical activity
-Class II: mild; slight limitation, comfortable at rest but ordinary physical
activity results in fatigue, palpitations, or SOB
-Class III: moderate; marked limitation of activity; comfortable at rest but less
than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitations or SOB
-Class IV: severe; unable to carry out activities without discomfort; fatigue,
palpitations, SOB present at rest
6. Interventions and Labs for Heart Failure - ANSWER -Labs: ECG, chest x
ray, Echo, CBC, BMP, cardiac enzymes, ABG, BNP, exercise testing
, -Interventions: diuretics (potassium sparing), beta blockers, Pacer, CPAP, ACE
inhibitor, BP/HR monitor, elevate edema, daily weights, change diet (low fat,
fluid, cholesterol, salt)
7. Heart Valve Disease: Aortic Stenosis - ANSWER -Fibrosis/ calcification of
valve
-Narrowing valve-> increased L ventricle pressure/dilation -> L ventricle
hypertrophy
-May eventually lead to L sided Heart failure then R sided
8. Heart Valve Disease: Mitral Regurgitation - ANSWER -Fibrosis/
calcification of valve
-Incomplete closure of valve ->backflow of blood into L atrium-> L
atrium/ventricle hypertrophy
-May eventually lead to R sided heart failure from increased preload/afterload
on L side of heart
9. Heart Valve Disease: Atrial Regurgitation - ANSWER -Fibrosis/
calcification of valve
-Incomplete closure of valve-> backflow of blood into L atrium decreasing
blood flow with ejection ->L ventricle hypertrophy
-Initially may be asymptomatic due to compensation of L ventricle
