Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Risk Assessment & Management 5

Question 1

Which Framingham Heart Study risk factor has the greatest attributable risk for coronary artery disease in women over 55 years of age?

Accepted Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Diabetes mellitus disproportionately increases cardiovascular risk in women, effectively eliminating the pre-menopausal gender-protective advantage.

Question 2

A patient in the cardiac ICU has a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 58 mmHg after cardiac surgery. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate first?

Accepted Answer

Infuse IV fluid bolus and reassess, then consider vasopressors if no response

Answer

A MAP below 65 mmHg requires prompt intervention; initial fluid resuscitation followed by vasopressors if unresponsive maintains organ perfusion in post-surgical hypotension.

Question 3

A patient with a history of inferior MI presents with new bradycardia (HR 38 bpm) and hypotension. ECG shows complete heart block. Which intervention has the highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Administer IV atropine 0.5 mg and prepare for temporary transvenous pacing

Answer

Symptomatic complete heart block with hemodynamic compromise requires immediate atropine as a temporizing measure while preparing for transvenous pacemaker placement.

Question 4

Which finding on a 12-lead ECG in a patient with suspected right ventricular infarction requires the nurse to withhold nitroglycerin?

Accepted Answer

ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF with ST elevation in V4R

Answer

Right ventricular infarction (evidenced by inferior ST elevation plus V4R elevation) causes preload-dependent hemodynamics; nitroglycerin causes vasodilation that can precipitate severe hypotension.

Question 5

A patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) reports calf pain that begins after walking two blocks and is relieved by rest. This symptom pattern is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Intermittent claudication

Answer

Intermittent claudication is reproducible muscle pain triggered by exertion and relieved by rest, caused by inadequate arterial blood flow to meet metabolic demand.

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Practice Test

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Practice Test

Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Risk Assessment & Management 5