CMSRN Cardiac Vascular 2

Question 1

A patient with heart failure has a BNP level of 850 pg/mL. What does this elevated level indicate?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular wall stress from fluid overload

Answer

BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) is released by ventricular myocytes in response to wall stress caused by volume and pressure overload.

Question 2

A patient is receiving IV heparin for a pulmonary embolism. The aPTT result is 200 seconds. The therapeutic range is 60-100 seconds. What is the priority nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Hold the infusion and notify the provider

Answer

An aPTT of 200 seconds is supratherapeutic and places the patient at high risk for bleeding; the infusion should be held and the provider notified.

Question 3

Which assessment finding in a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) requires immediate reporting?

Accepted Answer

Sudden onset of rest pain and pallor of the affected limb

Answer

Sudden rest pain with pallor suggests acute arterial occlusion, a vascular emergency requiring immediate intervention to prevent limb loss.

Question 4

A nurse is caring for a patient after a cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery. Which finding requires immediate intervention?

Accepted Answer

Expanding hematoma at the access site

Answer

An expanding hematoma indicates active arterial bleeding at the puncture site and requires immediate manual pressure and provider notification.

Question 5

A patient with chronic venous insufficiency asks the nurse what causes their leg ulcers. What is the best explanation?

Accepted Answer

Incompetent venous valves cause venous hypertension and tissue breakdown

Answer

Incompetent venous valves lead to venous hypertension, edema, and poor tissue oxygenation, resulting in ulcer formation typically near the medial malleolus.

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN Cardiac Vascular 2