10
Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Examination Review
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What common drugs cause bradycardia?
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Agents such as β-blockers, cardiac glycosides, pilocarpine, and cholinesterase inhibitors such as organophosphates are responsible for bradycardia.
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What common drugs cause tachycardia? Sympathomimetics such as amphetamines and cocaine, and anticholinergics, such as atropine and cyclic antidepressants, commonly cause tachycardia.
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What are the three types of mechanical disruption in patients with valvular heart disease? Prolapse of the valve (such as mitral valve prolapse), narrowing (stenosis) of the valve opening, or incomplete closure of the valve (insufficiency).
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What valvular lesion is most likely to cause syncope? Aortic stenosis.
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What is the most common valvular disorder in the United States? Mitral valve prolapse.
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What is an interesting diagnostic feature of aortic regurgitation? Head bobbing.
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What is the most common arrhythmia associated with digitalis? PVC (60%). Ectopic SVT (25%). AV block (20%).
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What is the most common arrhythmia in mitral stenosis? Atrial fibrillation due to atrial distention
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A medsurg nurse is administering coumadin (warfarin) to a patient with deep vein thrombophlebitis. What laboratory test is used to indicate coumadin is at therapeutic levels, and what is the ideal result? Prothrombin time (PT). When the patient’s PT is 1 1/2–2 times the control, or an INR of 2–3, then the blood is appropriately anticoagulated. The PTT is used to determine the therapeutic activity of heparin.
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The most common cause of CHF in an adult is: Hypertension.
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What is considered the cornerstone of drug therapy for patients with chronic congestive heart failure? An ACE inhibitor to decrease afterload combined with a β-blocker.
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What effect does the Valsalva’s maneuver have on the heart? Valsalva decreases blood return to both the right and left ventricles. All murmurs decrease in intensity except IHSS.