Deck 6: Cardiovascular System Assessments

Question 1

The respiratory therapist is called to a patient's room as part of the rapid response team (RRT). The patient is unconscious and pulseless. The EKG monitor displays asystole. Which of the following actions would NOT be indicated at this time?

A) Call a code.
B) Begin CPR.
C) Defibrillate the patient.
D) Administer ACLS medications.

Answer 1

Defibrillate the patient.

Question 2

Which of the following will be found in a patient with asystole?
1) Increased ventricular activity
2) Absence of electrical activity
3) No blood pressure
4) Highly variable heart rate

A) 2
B) 1, 4
C) 2, 3
D) 1, 3, 4

Answer 2

2, 3

Question 3

The T wave represents:

A) depolarization of the ventricles.
B) repolarization of the ventricles.
C) depolarization of the atria.
D) repolarization of the atria.

Answer 3

repolarization of the ventricles.

Question 4

In which of the following is the atrial rate faster than the ventricular rate?
1) Atrial fibrillation
2) Sinus bradycardia
3) Atrial flutter
4) Sinus tachycardia

A) 1, 3
B) 2, 4
C) 3, 4
D) 1, 2, 3

Question 5

When reviewing a cardiac rhythm strip, the respiratory therapist notices that there are three large boxes between two QRS complexes. Approximately what is this patient's heart rate?

A) 60
B) 75
C) 100
D) 150

Question 6

A pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheter can be used for all of the following EXCEPT:

A) measuring cardiac output.
B) arterial blood sampling.
C) measuring left atrial pressure.
D) measuring pulmonary artery pressure.

Question 7

A central venous pressure (CVP) catheter is used to:

A) measure left atrial pressure.
B) measure left ventricular work.
C) monitor right ventricular function.
D) monitor left ventricular function.

Question 8

The respiratory therapist is assessing a patient with sinus tachycardia. Which of the following would LEAST likely be a cause of the sinus tachycardia?

A) hypoxemia
B) severe anemia
C) hyperthermia
D) massive hemorrhage
E) beta blocker medications

Question 9

The respiratory therapist is monitoring a patient in the medical ICU and notes multiple premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) on the cardiac monitor. The respiratory therapist elects to review the patient's medication administration record (MAR) for medications the patient is receiving to rule out medication toxicity as a cause of the PVCs. Which of the following medications should the therapist evaluate as a possibility of inducing PVCs?

A) Theophylline
B) Beta blockers
C) Vitamin D
D) Acetaminophen

Question 10

Which of the following is found when a patient has sinus arrhythmia?
1) Rate decreases during expiration.
2) Rate decreases during inspiration.
3) Rate varies by more than 10% from beat to beat.
4) Rate increases during inspiration.

A) 3
B) 2, 3
C) 1, 4
D) 1, 3, 4

Question 11

A premature ventricular contraction (PVC) can be caused by:
1) hypokalemia.
2) intrinsic myocardial disease.
3) hypoxemia.
4) acidemia.

A) 1
B) 3, 4
C) 1, 2, 4
D) 1, 2, 3, 4

Question 12

A premature ventricular contraction (PVC) can be identified by which of the following?
1) There is no P wave.
2) The QRS is wide.
3) The QRS looks normal.
4) The heart rate is altered.

A) 1
B) 3, 4
C) 1, 2, 4
D) 1, 3, 4

Question 13

Which of the following hemodynamic changes are commonly seen in a patient with cardiogenic pulmonary edema?
1) Increased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP)
2) Increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR)
3) Decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure (PA)
4) Decreased cardiac output (CO)

A) 1, 4
B) 2, 3
C) 1, 2, 3
D) 1, 2, 3, 4