Medical-Surgical Nursing: Cardiovascular Disorders Flashcards
72 cards from real LPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 20 Medical-Surgical Nursing: Cardiovascular Disorders flashcards as text
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
Answer: Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
A serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, a dangerous side effect of furosemide that can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
Answer: Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
A serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, a dangerous side effect of furosemide that can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
A client is admitted with a myocardial infarction (MI). Which symptom is most commonly reported by female clients experiencing an MI?
Answer: Nausea, fatigue, and jaw pain
Women more often present with atypical MI symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, indigestion, and jaw or back pain rather than classic crushing chest pain.
A client is admitted with a myocardial infarction (MI). Which symptom is most commonly reported by female clients experiencing an MI?
Answer: Nausea, fatigue, and jaw pain
Women more often present with atypical MI symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, indigestion, and jaw or back pain rather than classic crushing chest pain.
A client with hypertension is being discharged. Which dietary instruction is the priority?
Answer: Limit sodium intake to 2,300 mg/day or less
Reducing sodium intake to 2,300 mg/day or less is a primary dietary intervention for hypertension, helping to decrease fluid retention and vascular resistance.
A client with hypertension is being discharged. Which dietary instruction is the priority?
Answer: Limit sodium intake to 2,300 mg/day or less
Reducing sodium intake to 2,300 mg/day or less is a primary dietary intervention for hypertension, helping to decrease fluid retention and vascular resistance.
A client on telemetry develops a heart rate of 180 bpm with a regular rhythm, narrow QRS complexes, and no P waves visible before each QRS. The LPN should prepare for which intervention?
Answer: Encourage the client to perform Valsalva maneuver
The rhythm described is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Vagal maneuvers such as the Valsalva maneuver are a first-line non-pharmacological intervention that may terminate SVT.
A client on telemetry develops a heart rate of 180 bpm with a regular rhythm, narrow QRS complexes, and no P waves visible before each QRS. The LPN should prepare for which intervention?
Answer: Encourage the client to perform Valsalva maneuver
The rhythm described is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Vagal maneuvers such as the Valsalva maneuver are a first-line non-pharmacological intervention that may terminate SVT.
A client with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) reports leg pain that worsens with walking and resolves with rest. The LPN documents this as:
Answer: Intermittent claudication
Intermittent claudication is muscle pain caused by inadequate arterial blood flow during exercise that is relieved by rest, a hallmark symptom of peripheral arterial disease.
A client with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) reports leg pain that worsens with walking and resolves with rest. The LPN documents this as:
Answer: Intermittent claudication
Intermittent claudication is muscle pain caused by inadequate arterial blood flow during exercise that is relieved by rest, a hallmark symptom of peripheral arterial disease.
A client is prescribed metoprolol succinate for hypertension. The LPN should hold the medication and notify the charge nurse if the client's apical heart rate is below:
Answer: 60 bpm
Beta-blockers such as metoprolol should be held if the heart rate is below 60 bpm, as the drug slows conduction and further bradycardia could be dangerous.
A client is prescribed metoprolol succinate for hypertension. The LPN should hold the medication and notify the charge nurse if the client's apical heart rate is below:
Answer: 60 bpm
Beta-blockers such as metoprolol should be held if the heart rate is below 60 bpm, as the drug slows conduction and further bradycardia could be dangerous.
A client with heart failure has crackles in the bilateral lung bases, 3+ pitting edema, and a weight gain of 5 lb in 2 days. These findings indicate:
Answer: Decompensated heart failure with fluid overload
Bilateral crackles (pulmonary edema from left-sided failure), pitting edema (right-sided venous backup), and rapid weight gain together indicate decompensated heart failure with fluid overload.
A client with heart failure has crackles in the bilateral lung bases, 3+ pitting edema, and a weight gain of 5 lb in 2 days. These findings indicate:
Answer: Decompensated heart failure with fluid overload
Bilateral crackles (pulmonary edema from left-sided failure), pitting edema (right-sided venous backup), and rapid weight gain together indicate decompensated heart failure with fluid overload.
When caring for a client post-cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery, which nursing action is the priority?
Answer: Keep the right leg straight and assess the puncture site
After femoral artery catheterization, the priority is to maintain leg immobility and frequently assess the puncture site for bleeding, hematoma, or signs of arterial compromise.
When caring for a client post-cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery, which nursing action is the priority?
Answer: Keep the right leg straight and assess the puncture site
After femoral artery catheterization, the priority is to maintain leg immobility and frequently assess the puncture site for bleeding, hematoma, or signs of arterial compromise.
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value monitors therapeutic anticoagulation?
Answer: INR (international normalized ratio)
Warfarin therapy is monitored using the INR, which reflects prothrombin time. A therapeutic INR for atrial fibrillation is typically 2.0–3.0.
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value monitors therapeutic anticoagulation?
Answer: INR (international normalized ratio)
Warfarin therapy is monitored using the INR, which reflects prothrombin time. A therapeutic INR for atrial fibrillation is typically 2.0–3.0.
A client with coronary artery disease is experiencing chest pain at rest rated 7/10. The LPN's first action should be:
Answer: Assess vital signs and oxygen saturation
The first nursing action when a client reports chest pain is a rapid assessment: vital signs, oxygen saturation, and pain characteristics to determine the urgency and inform the team.
A client with coronary artery disease is experiencing chest pain at rest rated 7/10. The LPN's first action should be:
Answer: Assess vital signs and oxygen saturation
The first nursing action when a client reports chest pain is a rapid assessment: vital signs, oxygen saturation, and pain characteristics to determine the urgency and inform the team.