FREE CMSRN Cardiac Vascular Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real CMSRN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 FREE CMSRN Cardiac Vascular Questions and Answers flashcards as text
A patient presents with acute onset of a cold, pale, pulseless left lower extremity. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
Answer: Acute arterial embolism
The classic presentation of acute arterial occlusion includes the six Ps: pain, pallor, pulselessness, poikilothermia, paresthesia, and paralysis.
A patient with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation asks why anticoagulation therapy is necessary. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
Answer: The irregular rhythm causes blood to pool in the atria, increasing stroke risk from clot formation
Atrial fibrillation causes ineffective atrial contraction, leading to blood stasis and thrombus formation in the atria, significantly increasing embolic stroke risk.
A nurse notes ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF on a 12-lead ECG. Which coronary artery is most likely occluded?
Answer: Right coronary artery
ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicates an inferior wall myocardial infarction, which is most commonly caused by right coronary artery occlusion.
A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed carvedilol. Which assessment is most important before administering the first dose?
Answer: Baseline heart rate and blood pressure
Carvedilol is a beta-blocker that can cause bradycardia and hypotension; baseline heart rate and blood pressure must be assessed to ensure safe administration.
A patient returns from cardiac catheterization with a radial artery access site. Which post-procedure assessment takes highest priority?
Answer: Evaluating neurovascular status of the affected hand including capillary refill and sensation
After radial artery catheterization, frequent neurovascular checks of the affected hand are essential to detect compromised circulation from hematoma or arterial occlusion.
A nurse is caring for a patient with a ventricular assist device (VAD). The patient's family asks why there is no palpable pulse. What is the best explanation?
Answer: Continuous-flow VADs provide non-pulsatile blood flow, so a traditional pulse may not be felt
Most modern VADs use continuous-flow technology that produces non-pulsatile circulation, meaning a palpable pulse is often absent despite adequate perfusion.