Question 1

A nurse administers an IV antihypertensive medication, causing an immediate reduction in blood pressure.The baroreceptors respond by attempting to return blood pressure back to normal.The resulting accelerated heart rate is known as:

Accepted Answer

Reflex tachycardia occurs as a compensatory mechanism in response to a sudden decrease in blood pressure, such as after the administration of an antihypertensive medication. Baroreceptors detect the drop in blood pressure and stimulate the sympathetic nervous system to increase heart rate in an attempt to normalize blood pressure.

Question 2

A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that will cause constriction of the arteries.The nurse expects that which vital sign parameter will be monitored most closely after administration of this medication?

Accepted Answer

Constriction of the arteries increases peripheral resistance, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Therefore, monitoring blood pressure is crucial after administering a medication that causes arterial constriction.

Question 3

A patient has severe atherosclerosis and hypertension.Which of the following statements about cardiac output will be true?

Accepted Answer

Severe atherosclerosis and hypertension increase afterload, making it harder for the heart to pump blood, which can lead to reduced cardiac output.

Question 4

The vasomotor center of the brain raises or lowers blood pressure based on information from the:

Accepted Answer

The vasomotor center, located in the medulla oblongata of the brain, regulates blood pressure by receiving information from baroreceptors (which detect changes in blood pressure) and chemoreceptors (which detect changes in the chemical composition of the blood, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide levels).

Question 5

A patient with an exacerbation of heart failure is experiencing fluid volume overload.The nurse understands that which regulator of blood pressure will most likely be secreted during this exacerbation?

Accepted Answer

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is secreted by the atria of the heart in response to volume expansion and increased blood pressure. It acts to reduce the water, sodium, and adipose loads on the circulatory system, thereby reducing blood pressure. In the context of fluid volume overload, as seen in heart failure exacerbation, ANP secretion increases to help reduce the volume overload.

Question 6

A patient recently diagnosed with hypertension asks the nurse, "What did it mean when the doctor told me I have peripheral resistance?" The nurse's best response is:

Accepted Answer

Peripheral resistance refers to the resistance of the arteries to blood flow. As the arteries constrict, the resistance increases and blood pressure rises. This concept is crucial in understanding hypertension, as increased peripheral resistance can lead to higher blood pressures.

Question 7

A dehydrated patient quickly receives a liter of intravenous fluid infusion to increase circulating blood volume.The nurse would expect which of the following changes in the patient's vital signs?

Accepted Answer

Rehydrating a dehydrated patient increases circulating blood volume, which can help normalize blood pressure if it was low due to dehydration. Therefore, an increase in blood pressure is expected.

Quiz 31: Review of the Cardiovascular System