Page 1 of 104 Medical Surgical Nursing - Cardiovascular Disorders EXAMINATION 2025 UPDATED 2025 – 2026 WITH QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ Medical Surgical Nursing - Cardiovascular Disorders
The nurse is preparing the client newly diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease for discharge with the medication atorvastatin. What laboratory work should the nurse obtain to establish a baseline before starting the medication? creatinine level and liver function tests white blood cell count and blood sugar hemoglobin and hematocrit levels platelet count and urinalysis creatinine level and liver function tests The nurse caring for a client on the cardiac unit notices that the client's cardiac monitor shows ventricular fibrillation. What is the priority action by the nurse? administration of digoxin insertion of an I.V. line immediate defibrillation scheduling a pacemaker insertion immediate defibrillation Metoprolol is added to the pharmacologic therapy of a diabetic female diagnosed with stage 2 hypertension who has been initially treated with furosemide and ramipril. The nurse should evaluate the client for which expected therapeutic effect? decrease in heart rate. lessening of fatigue. improvement in blood sugar levels. increase in urine output. decrease in heart rate. A client prescribed propranolol calls the clinic to report a weight gain of 3 lb (1.36 kg) within 2 days, shortness of breath, and swollen ankles. What is the nurse's best action? Assess the client's dietary intake for the past 24 hours. Have the client come to the clinic in order to assess the lungs. Review medication administration with the client. Assess the client's knowledge of expected effects of the drug.
Page 2 of 104 Have the client come to the clinic in order to assess the lungs. The nurse is admitting an older adult to the hospital. The echocardiogram report revealed left ventricular enlargement. The nurse notes 2+ pitting edema in the ankles when getting the client into bed. Based on this finding, what should the nurse do first? Assess respiratory status. Draw blood for laboratory studies. Insert a Foley catheter. Weigh the client. Assess respiratory status. A client is admitted with shortness of breath, a brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level of 615 pg/mL, and pedal edema. Which actions should the nurse take next? Select all that apply. Initiate I.V. diuretic therapy. Give oxygen by mask. Raise the feet on pillows. Schedule an exercise stress test. Increase dietary calcium. Initiate I.V. diuretic therapy. Give oxygen by mask. A client has been prescribed hydrochlorothiazide to treat heart failure. What adverse effect should the nurse instruct the client to report to the health care provider? urinary retention muscle weakness confusion diaphoresis muscle weakness What is a priority nursing assessment in the first 24 hours after admission of the client with a thrombotic stroke? cholesterol level pupil size and pupillary response bowel sounds echocardiogram pupil size and pupillary response A visitor to the hospital has a cardiac arrest. When determining to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), the nurse should consider that AEDs are used in cardiac arrest in which circumstances? early defibrillation in cases of atrial fibrillation
Page 3 of 104 cardioversion in cases of atrial fibrillation pacemaker placement early defibrillation in cases of ventricular fibrillation early defibrillation in cases of ventricular fibrillation The nurse is preparing to administer 0.1 mg of digoxin intravenously. Digoxin comes in a concentration of 0.5 mg/2 ml. How many milliliters should the nurse administer? Record your answer using one decimal place. 0.4 mL A nurse is evaluating a client who had a myocardial infarction (MI) 7 days earlier. Which outcome indicates that the client is responding favorably to therapy? The client exhibits a heart rate within normal limits. The client requests information regarding smoking cessation. The client is able to verbalize the action of all prescribed medications. The client demonstrates ability to tolerate more activity without chest pain. The client demonstrates ability to tolerate more activity without chest pain. A client with second-degree atrioventricular heart block is admitted to the coronary care unit. The nurse closely monitors the client's heart rate and rhythm. When interpreting the client's electrocardiogram (ECG) strip, the nurse knows that the QRS complex represents atrial repolarization. ventricular repolarization. atrial depolarization. ventricular depolarization. ventricular repolarization. A client arrives in the emergency department with an ischemic stroke. What should the nurse do before the client receives tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)? Ask what medications the client is taking. Complete a history and health assessment. Identify the time of onset of the stroke. Determine if the client is scheduled for any surgical procedures. Identify the time of onset of the stroke. The nurse has completed an assessment on a client with a decreased cardiac output. Which findings should receive the highest priority? blood pressure 110/62 mm Hg, atrial fibrillation with heart rate 82, bilateral basilar crackles confusion, urine output 15 mL over the last 2 hours, orthopnea SpO2 92% on 2 L nasal cannula, respirations 20 breaths/min, 1+ edema of lower extremities
Page 4 of 104 weight gain of 1 kg in 3 days, blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg, mild dyspnea with exercise confusion, urine output 15 mL over the last 2 hours, orthopnea A nurse is teaching a client about maintaining a healthy heart. The nurse should include which point in teaching? Smoke in moderation. Use alcohol in moderation. Consume a diet high in saturated fats and low in cholesterol. Exercise one or two times per week. Use alcohol in moderation. The nurse on the previous night shift documented that the lungs of a client with lung cancer were CTA (clear to auscultation) in all fields. While doing the shift assessment, the day shift nurse noticed decreased breath sounds, especially in the right lower lobe. Which action is the nurse's best choice? Report the findings to the charge nurse for documentation follow up with the previous shift's nurse. Document the findings as the only action, as this is expected in clients with lung cancer. Notify the physician of the change in client status. Call radiology for an X-ray to confirm findings. Notify the physician of the change in client status. The nurse is discussing medications with a client with hypertension who has a prescription for furosemide daily. Which comment by the client indicates the client needs further education? "I know I shouldn't drive after taking my furosemide." "I should be careful not to stand up too quickly when taking furosemide." "I should take the furosemide in the morning instead of before bed." "I need to be sure to also take the potassium supplement that the health care provider prescribed along with my furosemide." "I know I shouldn't drive after taking my furosemide." A nurse is assigned with an ancillary staff member to care for a group of cardiac clients. Which client should the nurse address first? the client admitted with unstable angina pectoris who wants to be discharged the client who suffered an acute myocardial infarction (MI) who is complaining of constipation the client who had a pacemaker inserted yesterday and who is complaining of incisional pain the client who has his call light on the client who suffered an acute myocardial infarction (MI) who is complaining of constipation
Page 5 of 104 A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism. Prescriptions include oxygen 2 to 4 L/min per nasal cannula, oximetry at all times, and IV administration of 5% dextrose in water at 100 mL/h. The client has increasing dyspnea and has a respiratory rate of 32 breaths/minute. The oxygen flow rate is set at 2 L/min. What should the nurse do first? Increase the oxygen flow rate from 2 to 4 L/min. Call the health care provider (HCP) immediately. Provide reassurance to the client. Obtain a sample for arterial blood gas analysis. Increase the oxygen flow rate from 2 to 4 L/min. The nurse evaluates the client's understanding of nutritional modifications to manage hypertension. The nurse knows the teaching was successful when the client makes what statement? "A glass of red wine each day will lower my blood pressure." "I should eliminate caffeine from my diet to lower my blood pressure." "If I include less fat in my diet, I'll lower my blood pressure." "Limiting my salt intake to 2 grams per day will lower my blood pressure." "Limiting my salt intake to 2 grams per day will lower my blood pressure." A client who is being discharged after a hospitalization for thrombophlebitis will be riding home in a car. What should the nurse should advise the client to do during the 2-hour car ride? Perform arm circles. Do ankle pumps. Elevate the legs. Take an ambulance. Do ankle pumps. A client with unstable angina has been prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin tablets. What statement should the nurse include in client teaching? "As soon as you feel chest pain, take one tablet every 5 minutes until the pain stops." "If the medication doesn't alleviate your chest pain, call your health care provider." "If chest pain persists 5 minutes after you take the first tablet, take 2 more tablets." "If the first dose doesn't work, you can take a second 5 minutes later and, if necessary, a third 5 minutes after that." "If the first dose doesn't work, you can take a second 5 minutes later and, if necessary, a third 5 minutes after that."