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Week 02 · Aug 31 · Weekly Practice Questions

Cardiovascular Disorders I

The multiple-choice question set for this week — 5 questions with the full rationale for each answer, including why every wrong choice is wrong.

5 questions 4 choices each NURS 5161 format Work offline
Score 0 / 0 answered
Overview

How these work

Using this page
  • Click a choice to commit to an answer — it locks in and shows the correct one immediately.
  • The rationale then appears, with the source citation and page number, and an explanation of why each other choice is wrong.
  • Your running score shows in the top bar. Reload the page to reset.
  • Press Cmd+P to print with every answer revealed — useful for review.

Questions

1.A prior admission note lists no allergies, but during the current interview the patient reports a rash after taking penicillin. Which action by the AGACNP is most appropriate?
Application level

Information obtained from another history and physical should be confirmed with the patient when possible. The AGACNP remains responsible for identifying the source, documenting the reaction, and recording independent findings, impressions, and differential diagnoses.

2.A 72-year-old patient with a prior MI and coronary stent has recurrent exertional substernal squeezing that improves with rest or sublingual nitroglycerin. The ECG now shows ST-segment changes. Which interpretation and response are most appropriate?
Application level

Exertional substernal pressure relieved by rest or nitroglycerin, a history of coronary disease, and new ST-segment changes are concerning for myocardial ischemia. The patient needs monitored evaluation, cardiac biomarkers, and timely cardiology assessment rather than discharge based on a noncardiac diagnosis.

3.A patient with reduced cardiac output is receiving intra-aortic balloon pump support. Which balloon timing provides the intended hemodynamic benefit?
Knowledge level

Diastolic inflation augments aortic diastolic pressure and coronary perfusion. Deflation just before ventricular ejection reduces aortic impedance and left ventricular afterload, thereby supporting forward flow and reducing myocardial workload.

4.A patient has a blood pressure of 224/126 mm Hg, new confusion, papilledema, and an acute rise in creatinine. Which classification and disposition are most appropriate?
Application level

Severe hypertension with acute neurologic, retinal, and renal injury is a hypertensive emergency. ICU monitoring and a titratable IV antihypertensive allow controlled pressure reduction while avoiding an abrupt fall that could compromise organ perfusion.

5.A patient with acute decompensated heart failure has severe dyspnea, orthopnea, crackles, jugular venous distention, and leg edema. Blood pressure is 168/94 mm Hg, extremities are warm, and urine output is adequate. Which initial approach is most appropriate?
Application level

Warm extremities and adequate urine output indicate preserved perfusion despite congestion. Treat with oxygen or ventilatory support as needed, an IV loop diuretic, and nitrate therapy when appropriate; reserve inotropes for poor perfusion or hypotension and avoid a fluid bolus.

About these questions

These are the practice questions written for this week's reading, reproduced here with their original answers, Bloom's taxonomy levels, and rationales. The rationales cite the chapter authors and page numbers from Practice Considerations for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (3rd ed., 2021), which is the text this course uses.

Study tip
  • Answer before reading the rationale — the value is in the attempt.
  • Read every distractor explanation, not just the correct one. That's usually where the exam's alternative answers live.
  • Any question you miss twice is worth writing out by hand.