Deck 12: Cardiovascular Clinical Assessment

Question 1

An assessment finding of pulsus alternans may indicate evidence of what disorder?

A) Left-sided heart failure
B) Jugular venous distention
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Myocardial ischemia

Answer 1

Left-sided heart failure

Question 2

A patient is admitted with left-sided heart failure related to mitral stenosis.Physical assessment findings reveal tachycardia with an S3 and a 3/6 systolic murmur.The grading of a murmur as a 3/6 refers to which characteristics of the murmur?

A) Intensity
B) Quality
C) Timing
D) Pitch

Answer 2

Intensity

Question 3

Which statement best describes the purpose of the Allen test?

A) The Allen test assesses the adequacy of blood flow through the ulnar artery.
B) The Allen test evaluates oxygen saturation in the brachial artery.
C) The Allen test assesses the patency of an internal graft.
D) The Allen test determines the size of needle to be used for puncture.

Answer 3

The Allen test assesses the adequacy of blood flow through the ulnar artery.

Question 4

A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of "rule out myocardial infarction." The patient reports midchest pressure radiating into the jaw and shortness of breath when walking up stairs.When inspecting the patient,the nurse notes that the patient needs to sit in a high Fowler position to breathe.The nurse suspects the patient may be experiencing what problem?

A) Pericarditis
B) Anxiety
C) Heart failure
D) Angina

Question 5

Evaluation of arterial circulation to an extremity is accomplished by assessing which of the following?

A) Homans sign
B) Skin turgor
C) Peripheral edema
D) Capillary refill

Question 6

The nurse assesses the dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses as weak and thready.What should the nurse document for the pulse volume?

A) 0
B) 1+
C) 2+
D) 3+

Question 7

A patient's blood pressure is 90/72 mm Hg.What is the patient's pulse pressure?

A) 40 mm Hg
B) 25 mm Hg
C) 18 mm Hg
D) 12 mm Hg

Question 8

A sudden increase in left atrial pressure,acute pulmonary edema,and low cardiac output,caused by the ventricle contracting during systole,are all characteristics of what condition?

A) Acute mitral regurgitation
B) Aortic insufficiency
C) Chronic mitral regurgitation
D) Pericardial friction rub

Question 9

The presence of a carotid or femoral bruit may be evidence of what anomaly?

A) Left-sided heart failure
B) Blood flow through a partially occluded vessel
C) Early onset of pulmonary embolism
D) Myocardial rupture

Question 10

A nurse palpates the descending aorta and feels a strong,bounding pulse.The nurse reports the findings to the physician because this result is suggestive of what disorder?

A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Increased cardiac output
C) An aneurysm
D) Aortic insufficiency

Question 11

Abnormal heart sounds are labeled S3 and S4 and are referred to as what when auscultated during a tachycardic episode?

A) Korotkoff sounds
B) Grating murmurs
C) Blowing murmurs
D) Gallops

Question 12

What sounds are created by the turbulence of blood flow through a vessel caused by constriction of the blood pressure cuff?

A) Korotkoff sounds
B) Grating murmurs
C) Blowing murmurs
D) Gallops

Question 13

Which condition is usually associated with clubbing?

A) Central cyanosis
B) Peripheral cyanosis
C) Carbon monoxide poisoning
D) Acute hypoxemia

Question 14

The abdominojugular reflux test determines the presence of which disorder?

A) Right ventricular failure
B) Cirrhosis
C) Liver failure
D) Coronary artery disease

Question 15

A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of "rule out myocardial infarction." The patient reports midchest pressure radiating into the jaw and shortness of breath when walking up stairs.What factor influences the amount of history obtained during the admission assessment?

A) Presence of cardiovascular risk factors
B) Prior medical history
C) Presenting symptoms
D) Current medications

Question 16

A patient is admitted with left-sided heart failure related to mitral stenosis.Physical assessment findings reveal tachycardia with an S3 and a 3/6 systolic murmur.Which statement about an S3 is accurate?

A) It is normal for a person this age.
B) It is synonymous with a ventricular gallop.
C) It is only heard during systole.
D) It is best heard best with the diaphragm of the stethoscope.

Question 17

A heart murmur is described as blowing,grating,or harsh.This description would fall under which criteria?

A) Intensity
B) Quality
C) Timing
D) Pitch

Question 18

When checking the patient's back,the nurse pushes her thumb into the patient's sacrum.An indentation remains.What assessment finding should the nurse document?

A) Sacral compromise
B) Delayed skin turgor
C) Pitting edema
D) Dehydration

Question 19

A nurse admits a patient with a diagnosis of syncope of unknown etiology.Orthostatic vital signs are lying: 110/80 mm/Hg; sitting: 100/74 mm/Hg; standing: 92/40 mm/Hg.Based on this information,what should the nurse monitor?

A) Respirations
B) Fluid intake
C) Peripheral pulses
D) Activity

Question 20

An 82-year-old patient is admitted into the critical care unit with a diagnosis of left-sided heart failure related to mitral stenosis.Physical assessment findings reveal tachycardia with an S3 and a 3/6 systolic murmur.Which of the following descriptions best describes the murmur heard with mitral stenosis?

A) High-pitched systolic sound
B) Medium-pitched systolic sound
C) High-pitched diastolic sound
D) Low-pitched diastolic sound

Question 21

Which statements describe S1,the first heart sound?

A) It is associated with closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves.
B) It is a high-pitched sound.
C) It can be heard most clearly with the diaphragm of the stethoscope.
D) The best listening point is in the aortic area.
E) The "split" sound can best be detected in the tricuspid area.

Question 22

During a history examination,a patient tells the nurse,"The cardiologist says I have a leaking valve." The nurse documents that the patient has a history of what condition?

A) Acute mitral regurgitation
B) Aortic insufficiency
C) Chronic mitral regurgitation
D) Pericarditis

Question 23

Heart murmurs are characterized by which criteria?

A) Intensity
B) Location
C) Quality
D) Pitch
E) Pathologic cause

Question 24

A patient was admitted with of acute myocardial infarction.Upon auscultation,the nurse hears a harsh,holosystolic murmur along the left sternal border.The nurse notifies the physician immediately because the symptoms indicate the patient has developed what complication?

A) Papillary muscle rupture
B) Tricuspid stenosis
C) Ventricular septal rupture
D) Pericarditis

Question 25

A patient was admitted 3 days ago with a myocardial infarction.The patient is complaining of increased chest pain when coughing,swallowing,and changing positions.The nurse hears a systolic scratching sound upon auscultation of the apical pulse.Based on the symptoms,the nurse suspects the patient may have developed what condition?

A) Acute mitral regurgitation
B) Aortic insufficiency
C) Chronic mitral regurgitation
D) Pericarditis