Medical-Surgical Nursing: Cardiovascular Disorders Flashcards
7 cards from real LPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Medical-Surgical Nursing: Cardiovascular Disorders flashcards as text
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance should the LPN monitor for most closely?
Answer: Hypokalemia
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss, putting patients at risk for hypokalemia.
A patient with atrial fibrillation is on warfarin therapy. Which lab value does the LPN check to monitor anticoagulation effectiveness?
Answer: INR
The INR (International Normalized Ratio) is used to monitor warfarin therapy effectiveness and guide dosing adjustments.
A patient reports crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm. What is the LPN's FIRST action?
Answer: Notify the charge nurse or physician immediately
The LPN must immediately notify the charge nurse or physician of suspected myocardial infarction symptoms before initiating other interventions.
Which finding in a patient with hypertensive crisis requires the LPN to report immediately to the RN?
Answer: Severe headache and blurred vision
Severe headache and blurred vision in a hypertensive patient may indicate hypertensive encephalopathy, a medical emergency.
A patient is diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
Answer: Measure and compare bilateral calf circumferences daily
Measuring bilateral calf circumferences daily helps monitor for progression or resolution of DVT swelling.
A patient with heart failure has a prescription for digoxin. Before administering the medication, the LPN should assess which parameter?
Answer: Apical pulse for one full minute
The apical pulse must be counted for one full minute before giving digoxin; hold the dose if the rate is below 60 bpm.
Which symptom indicates a patient with heart failure is experiencing right-sided heart failure?
Answer: Dependent pitting edema
Right-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the systemic circulation, resulting in dependent pitting edema in the ankles and legs.