RN exams cardiovascular practice questions, set 14

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RN exams cardiovascular practice questions set 14

You read heart failure, perfusion, and blood-pressure stems and decide what to do before the patient declines. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the RN exams exam guide or more RN exams practice questions.

Five cardiovascular questions with answers

Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.

Question 1

A patient with a history of depression reports not feeling well rested in recent weeks. Before making the assumption that the complaint is related to depression, a nurse should investigate whether the patient has had any recent changes in:

  1. A. work schedule that affect the hours of sleep.
  2. B. vacations taken within the same time zone.
  3. C. fluid intake with reduced overall intake of water.
  4. D. food intake with decreased intake of heavy foods before bedtime.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — work schedule that affect the hours of sleep.

The correct answer is A: work schedule that affect the hours of sleep. This is because changes in work schedule can directly impact the amount and quality of sleep a person gets, leading to feelings of not being well-rested. Investigating this factor is important before assuming the complaint is solely related to depression. Choice B: vacations taken within the same time zone, is incorrect as vacations within the same time zone should not significantly affect sleep patterns unless there are other factors involved. Choice C: fluid intake with reduced overall intake of water, is incorrect because while hydration is important for overall health, it is less likely to be the primary cause of not feeling well-rested. Choice D: food intake with decreased intake of heavy foods before bedtime, is incorrect as while diet can impact sleep quality, it is less likely to be the primary cause of feeling not well-rested in this case.

Question 2

When a patient diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia was discharged from the unit 6 months ago, the plan was for him to take chlorpromazine (Thorazine), a conventional (first generation) antipsychotic medication, 300 mg po daily. He tells the nurse he stopped taking his pills after a few months because they made him feel like a “zombie.” What other common side effects should the nurse determine if the patient experienced?

  1. A. Sweating, nausea, and weight gain
  2. B. Sedation, tremor, and muscle stiffness
  3. C. Headache, watery eyes, and runny nose
  4. D. Mild fever, sore throat, and skin rash
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Sedation, tremor, and muscle stiffness

The correct answer is B: Sedation, tremor, and muscle stiffness. This is because chlorpromazine, a first-generation antipsychotic like Thorazine, commonly causes sedation, tremors, and muscle stiffness as side effects. Sedation is a common side effect of antipsychotic medications, leading to feelings of drowsiness or fatigue. Tremors can manifest as involuntary shaking or trembling of the hands or other body parts. Muscle stiffness, also known as extrapyramidal symptoms, can cause rigidity and difficulty moving smoothly. These side effects are typical with first-generation antipsychotics due to their mechanism of action on the central nervous system. The other choices are incorrect: A: Sweating, nausea, and weight gain are not typically associated with chlorpromazine or first-generation antipsychotics. C: Headache, watery eyes, and runny nose are not common side effects of chlorpromazine. D: Mild fever, sore throat, and

Question 3

An 18-year old male patient presents with bruising, fatigue, and diffuse extremity pain. He is noted to be tachypneic and hypoxic and has a diffuse interstitial infiltrate on chest x-ray. CBC reveals a WBC count of 285,000/mm3 (85% myeloblasts, with monocytic morphology), hemoglobin of 7.9 g/dL, and platelet count of 36,000/mm3. What is the most likely cause of the infiltrate and respiratory symptoms and the most appropriate initial treatment?

  1. A. Hyperleukocytosis; initiation of induction chemotherapy
  2. B. Hyperleukocytosis; leukapheresis or manual exchange transfusion and initiation of induction chemotherapy
  3. C. COVID-19 infection; convalescent plasma and prednisone
  4. D. Pneumococcal pneumonia; vancomycin
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Hyperleukocytosis; leukapheresis or manual exchange transfusion and initiation of induction chemotherapy

The correct answer is B. The patient's presentation with tachypnea, hypoxia, and diffuse interstitial infiltrate on chest x-ray suggests leukostasis syndrome due to hyperleukocytosis. The extremely high WBC count of 285,000/mm3 with myeloblasts indicates acute myeloid leukemia. Leukapheresis or manual exchange transfusion is needed to rapidly reduce the number of leukemic blasts in circulation to prevent complications like tissue hypoxia. Initiation of induction chemotherapy is essential for long-term management of AML. Choice A is incorrect because induction chemotherapy alone may not rapidly reduce the WBC count in cases of leukostasis. Choice C is incorrect as the patient's clinical scenario is not consistent with COVID-19 infection, and convalescent plasma is not indicated for leukostasis. Choice D is incorrect as the patient's symptoms are not typical for pneumococcal pneumonia, and vancomycin is not the initial

Question 4

NADPH is a product of the hexose monophosphate pathway (HMP) in the red blood cell. The NADPH is used for the

  1. A. Synthesis of fatty acids
  2. B. Reduction of glutathione
  3. C. Formation of ATP
  4. D. Removal of oxygen radicals
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Reduction of glutathione

The correct answer is B: Reduction of glutathione. In the hexose monophosphate pathway (HMP), NADPH is generated, which serves as a reducing agent. This NADPH is crucial for reducing oxidized glutathione back to its reduced form, maintaining cellular antioxidant defense. This process helps to protect cells from oxidative damage and maintain redox balance. Now, let's summarize why the other choices are incorrect: A: Synthesis of fatty acids - NADPH is indeed involved in fatty acid synthesis, but in the context of red blood cells, the primary role of NADPH is in reducing glutathione. C: Formation of ATP - NADPH is not directly involved in ATP synthesis. ATP is primarily produced through processes like glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. D: Removal of oxygen radicals - While NADPH indirectly contributes to the removal of oxygen radicals through its role in reducing glutathione, it is not the primary function of NAD

Question 5

When caring for a patient who is recovering from a sudden cardiac death (SCD) event and has no evidence of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the nurse will anticipate teaching the patient that

  1. A. sudden cardiac death events rarely reoccur.
  2. B. additional diagnostic testing will be required.
  3. C. long-term anticoagulation therapy will be needed.
  4. D. limiting physical activity will prevent future SCD events.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — additional diagnostic testing will be required.

The correct answer is B because after a sudden cardiac death (SCD) event without evidence of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), additional diagnostic testing is needed to determine the underlying cause and assess the risk of recurrence. This testing may include cardiac imaging, electrophysiological studies, and genetic testing. By identifying the specific cause, healthcare providers can tailor treatment plans to prevent future SCD events. A: This is incorrect because the risk of SCD recurrence can vary based on the underlying cause and individual patient factors. C: Long-term anticoagulation therapy is not typically indicated for SCD without evidence of AMI unless there is a specific indication such as atrial fibrillation or a clotting disorder. D: Limiting physical activity alone is not a comprehensive strategy for preventing future SCD events; individualized recommendations should be based on diagnostic findings.

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Question 6

What term describes the phenomenon wherein decreased BP causes a reflex SNS response with increased pulse, increased contractility, and vasoconstriction; and increased BP causes reflex vagal responses resulting in decreased heart rate and passive vasodilation in the systemic arterioles?

  1. A. Baroreflex
  2. B. Cheyne-Stokes breathing
  3. C. Frank-Starling Law
  4. D. Starling reflex
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Question 7

An 18-year old male patient presents with bruising, fatigue, and diffuse extremity pain. He is noted to be tachypneic and hypoxic and has a diffuse interstitial infiltrate on chest x-ray. CBC reveals a WBC count of 285,000/mm3 (85% myeloblasts, with monocytic morphology), hemoglobin of 7.9 g/dL, and platelet count of 36,000/mm3. What is the most likely cause of the infiltrate and respiratory symptoms and the most appropriate initial treatment?

  1. A. Hyperleukocytosis; initiation of induction chemotherapy
  2. B. Hyperleukocytosis; leukapheresis or manual exchange transfusion and initiation of induction chemotherapy
  3. C. COVID-19 infection; convalescent plasma and prednisone
  4. D. Pneumococcal pneumonia; vancomycin
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 8

A 75-year-old individual is admitted with a diagnosis of left-sided heart failure and is administered Lasix 80 mg by slow IV push. Which nursing assessment indicates that the Lasix (furosemide) is NOT having the desired effect?

  1. A. Oliguria
  2. B. Decrease in blood pressure
  3. C. Absence of crackles
  4. D. Polydipsia
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Question 9

Which of the following statements is TRUE about the symbolic politics of cannabis in colonial Jamaica?

  1. A. The suppression of marijuana (‘kaya’) in colonial Jamaica was seen by both authorities and working class Jamaicans as a way of keeping down the Rastafarians, who were perceived as a threat to colonial social stability.
  2. B. Bob Marley was a major figure of the Rasta anti-colonial movement who fought for Jamaican independence.
  3. C. Cannabis was widely smoked by both working class and middle class Jamaicans, but colonial authorities only objected to its use by the working class.
  4. D. The trade union movement arose as a popular movement to educate Jamaicans about the harms of cannabis use because it was having a negative effect on worker productivity.
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Question 10

The principal mechanism of phentolamine-induced tachycardia is:

  1. A. Antagonism of presynaptic alfa2 receptors enhances norepinephrine release which causes cardiac stimulation via unblocked beta receptors
  2. B. Baroreflex mechanism
  3. C. Direct effect on the heart by stimulation of beta1 receptors
  4. D. Inhibition of transmitter reuptake at noradrenergic synapses
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Question 11

An adult patient has presented to the health clinic with a complaint of a firm, painless cervical lymph node. The patient denies any recent infectious diseases. What is the nurse's most appropriate response to the patient's complaint?

  1. A. Call 911.
  2. B. Promptly refer the patient for medical assessment.
  3. C. Facilitate a radiograph of the patient's neck and have the results forwarded to the patient's primary care provider.
  4. D. Encourage the patient to track the size of the lymph node and seek care in 1 week.
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Question 12

What is the condition where the heart's mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backward into the left atrium?

  1. A. Mitral regurgitation
  2. B. Aortic stenosis
  3. C. Tricuspid regurgitation
  4. D. Pulmonary hypertension
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Question 13

A patient mentions, “My doctor told me I was going to have a PET scan that would make my brain light up. Does that mean I’m getting an electrical jolt?” The best reply would be:

  1. A. “No, PET scans and electroconvulsive therapy are entirely different.”
  2. B. “No, a PET scan is a diagnostic test, and electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment.”
  3. C. “PET scans involve an injected substance that travels to the brain. Wherever brain activity is high, a bright spot shows on the scan. It is not electrical.”
  4. D. “PET scans show us the electrical activity that occurs throughout the brain in the form of light bands that glow in measurable degrees of brightness on a computer screen.”
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Question 14

While completing the history portion of an admission assessment of a client with schizophrenia, the nurse notices that the client is continually moving in the chair and frequently stands, then sits back down. The nurse knows that this client most likely is experiencing the side effect of:

  1. A. Drug-induced parkinsonism
  2. B. Dystonia
  3. C. Akathisia
  4. D. Akinesia
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Question 15

Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of clonal stem cell disorders. Which of the following type has the poorest prognosis according to the FAB system of classifications?

  1. A. Refractory anemia (RA)
  2. B. RA with ring sideroblasts
  3. C. RA with excess blasts
  4. D. RA with excess blasts in transformation
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About these RN exams cardiovascular questions

RN exams cardiovascular practice questions, set 14 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

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