Question 1

A patient presents to a primary care provider reporting chest pain and is diagnosed with atherosclerosis. What is this disease caused by?
A) Arterial wall thinning and weakening
B) Abnormally dilated arteries and veins
C) An accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages within the arterial wall
D) Autonomic nervous system imbalances

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis is caused by the accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages, known as foam cells, within the arterial wall, leading to plaque formation and arterial narrowing.

Question 2

A 75-year-old obese female presents to her primary care provider reporting edema in the lower extremities. Physical examination reveals that she has varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. Upon performing the history, which of the following is a possible cause for the varicose veins?
A) Extreme exercise
B) Long periods of standing
C) Trauma to the deep veins
D) Ischemia

Accepted Answer

Long periods of standing can increase pressure in the veins of the lower body, contributing to the development of varicose veins, especially in individuals who are obese or have other risk factors.

Question 3

Individuals with Raynaud phenomenon need to be counseled to avoid which of the following conditions?
A) Allergic reactions
B) Cold exposure
C) Hot water immersion
D) Tissue injury

Accepted Answer

Raynaud phenomenon is characterized by a narrowing of blood vessels in response to cold or stress, leading to reduced blood flow. Therefore, individuals with this condition should avoid cold exposure to prevent symptoms.

Question 4

A patient presents to the emergency department reporting difficulty swallowing and shortness of breath. A CT scan would most likely reveal an aneurysm in the:
A) cerebral vessels.
B) renal arteries.
C) inferior vena cava.
D) thoracic aorta.

Accepted Answer

Difficulty swallowing and shortness of breath are both symptoms of thoracic aortic aneurysm, which can compress adjacent structures such as the esophagus and trachea leading to these symptoms. A CT scan is the modality of choice for diagnosis of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Question 5

A patient presents with severe chest pain and shortness of breath and is diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Where did the embolism most likely originate?
A) The left ventricle
B) Systemic arteries
C) A deep vein of the leg
D) The superficial veins of the arm

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary embolisms most commonly originate from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the deep veins of the legs.

Question 6

When a patient is diagnosed with coronary artery disease, what condition should the nurse also consider?
A) Myocardial hypertrophy
B) Myocardial ischemia
C) Cardiac necrosis
D) Systemic inflammation

Accepted Answer

Coronary artery disease often leads to myocardial ischemia due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

Question 7

A 52-year-old is diagnosed with primary hypertension but has no other health problems. What might be the first consideration for managing the condition?
A) A beta-adrenergic agonist
B) An alpha-adrenergic agonist
C) A recommendation to reduce sodium intake
D) A calcium channel agonist

Accepted Answer

Lifestyle modifications, such as reducing sodium intake, are often the first consideration in managing primary hypertension before medication is prescribed.

Question 8

What is the most common cause of myocardial ischemia?
A) Idiopathic vasospasm
B) Arterial emboli from a heart valve
C) Atherosclerosis
D) Venous emboli

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of myocardial ischemia. It is a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to the heart.

Question 9

A 30-year-old white female was recently diagnosed with primary hypertension. She reports that she eats fairly well, and has a moderate red meat consumption. She also reports that her father and grandmother have hypertension. A nurse determines which of the following risk factors is most likely associated with this diagnosis?
A) Ethnicity
B) Diet
C) Age
D) Family history

Accepted Answer

Family history is a significant risk factor for primary hypertension, as it often has a genetic component.

Question 10

An older adult is diagnosed with cerebral aneurysm. Where does the nurse suspect the cerebral aneurysm is located?
A) Vertebral arteries
B) Basilar artery
C) Circle of Willis
D) Carotid arteries

Accepted Answer

Cerebral aneurysms are most commonly found in the Circle of Willis, which is a circular network of arteries that supply blood to the brain.

Question 11

A 52-year-old male presents with pooling of blood in the veins of the lower extremities and edema. The diagnosis is chronic venous insufficiency. What is an expected assessment finding of this disorder?
A) Deep vein thrombus formation
B) Skin hyperpigmentation
C) Gangrene
D) Edema above the knee

Accepted Answer

Chronic venous insufficiency often leads to skin changes such as hyperpigmentation due to hemosiderin deposition from red blood cell breakdown.

Question 12

A nurse takes an adult patient's blood pressure and determines it to be normal. What reading did the nurse obtain?
A) Systolic pressure between 140 and 150 mm Hg
B) Systolic pressure less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic pressure less than 80 mm Hg
C) Systolic pressure less than 100 mm Hg regardless of diastolic pressure
D) Systolic pressure greater than 140 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure of 100 mm Hg

Accepted Answer

According to the American Heart Association, a normal blood pressure reading for an adult is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 13

When a nurse checks the patient for orthostatic hypotension, what activity did the nurse have the patient engage in?
A) Physical exertion
B) Eating
C) Standing up
D) Lying down

Accepted Answer

Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person stands up. Therefore, the nurse would have the patient engage in the activity of standing up to assess for orthostatic hypotension.

Question 14

A 50-year-old male with a 30-year history of smoking was diagnosed with bronchogenic cancer. He developed edema and venous distension in the upper extremities and face. Which of the following diagnosis will the nurse observe on the chart?
A) Thromboembolism
B) Deep vein thrombosis
C) Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS)
D) Chronic venous insufficiency

Accepted Answer

The symptoms of edema and venous distension in the upper extremities and face are indicative of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVCS), which is often associated with bronchogenic cancer due to obstruction of the superior vena cava.

Question 15

Most cases of combined systolic and diastolic hypertension have no known cause and are documented on the chart as _____ hypertension.
A) primary
B) secondary
C) congenital
D) acquired

Accepted Answer

Primary hypertension refers to hypertension with no known cause, whereas secondary hypertension has an underlying identifiable cause such as kidney disease or medication use. Congenital hypertension is rare, and acquired hypertension refers to hypertension that develops over time as a result of lifestyle factors or other conditions.

Question 16

What term should the nurse use to document a detached blood clot?
A) Thrombus
B) Embolus
C) Thromboembolus
D) Infarction

Accepted Answer

The answer of What term should the nurse use to...

Question 17

A patient is diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Which of the following modifiable risk factors would the nurse suggest?
A) Eating out to increase variety
B) Change living arrangements
C) Decreasing tomato juice consumption
D) Stop smoking cigarettes

Accepted Answer

Smoking is a well-known modifiable risk factor for coronary artery disease, and quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk.

Question 18

A patient is diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension. Which of the following symptoms would most likely be reported?
A) Headache and blurred vision
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Chest pain and palpitations
D) Syncope and fainting

Accepted Answer

Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person stands up from a sitting or lying-down position. Symptoms may include dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope (fainting), and even nausea.

Question 19

What are foam cells?
A) Deposited adipose cells in fatty streaks
B) Injured neutrophils
C) Macrophages that have engulfed low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
D) Lipid-laden mast cells.

Accepted Answer

Foam cells are macrophages that have engulfed low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, becoming laden with lipids, and are commonly found in atherosclerotic plaques.

Question 20

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS), causing venous distension in the upper extremities, is a result of progressive superior vena cava:
A) inflammation.
B) occlusion.
C) distension.
D) sclerosis.

Accepted Answer

SVCS is caused by the occlusion or compression of the superior vena cava, leading to impaired blood flow and resulting in venous distension in the upper extremities.

Quiz 24: Alterations of Cardiovascular Function

A patient presents to a primary care provider reporting chest pain and is diagnosed with atherosclerosis. What is this disease caused by?

A 75-year-old obese female presents to her primary care provider reporting edema in the lower extremities. Physical examination reveals that she has varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. Upon performing the history, which of the following is a possible cause for the varicose veins?

Individuals with Raynaud phenomenon need to be counseled to avoid which of the following conditions?

A patient presents to the emergency department reporting difficulty swallowing and shortness of breath. A CT scan would most likely reveal an aneurysm in the:

A patient presents with severe chest pain and shortness of breath and is diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Where did the embolism most likely originate?

When a patient is diagnosed with coronary artery disease, what condition should the nurse also consider?

A 52-year-old is diagnosed with primary hypertension but has no other health problems. What might be the first consideration for managing the condition?

What is the most common cause of myocardial ischemia?

An older adult is diagnosed with cerebral aneurysm. Where does the nurse suspect the cerebral aneurysm is located?

A 52-year-old male presents with pooling of blood in the veins of the lower extremities and edema. The diagnosis is chronic venous insufficiency. What is an expected assessment finding of this disorder?

A nurse takes an adult patient's blood pressure and determines it to be normal. What reading did the nurse obtain?

When a nurse checks the patient for orthostatic hypotension, what activity did the nurse have the patient engage in?

A 50-year-old male with a 30-year history of smoking was diagnosed with bronchogenic cancer. He developed edema and venous distension in the upper extremities and face. Which of the following diagnosis will the nurse observe on the chart?

Most cases of combined systolic and diastolic hypertension have no known cause and are documented on the chart as _____ hypertension.

What term should the nurse use to document a detached blood clot?

A patient is diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Which of the following modifiable risk factors would the nurse suggest?

A patient is diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension. Which of the following symptoms would most likely be reported?

What are foam cells?

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) , causing venous distension in the upper extremities, is a result of progressive superior vena cava: