LVN Cardiovascular & Respiratory Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient presents with chest pain radiating to the left arm, diaphoresis, and nausea. The LVN's priority action is to:
- Administer acetaminophen for pain relief
- Position the patient in Trendelenburg
- Notify the charge nurse or physician immediately (Correct answer)
- Begin oral hydration
Correct answer: Notify the charge nurse or physician immediately
These are classic signs of myocardial infarction, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate physician notification.
Question 2: Which medication is administered sublingually to treat an acute angina attack?
- Metoprolol
- Nitroglycerin (Correct answer)
- Aspirin
- Furosemide
Correct answer: Nitroglycerin
Sublingual nitroglycerin rapidly dilates coronary vessels, relieving ischemic chest pain within minutes.
Question 3: Which dietary instruction is most important for a patient with hypertension?
- Increase intake of potassium-rich foods
- Reduce sodium intake (Correct answer)
- Increase daily fluid intake to 3 L
- Avoid vitamin C-rich foods
Correct answer: Reduce sodium intake
Reducing sodium lowers fluid retention and vascular resistance, directly decreasing blood pressure.
Question 4: A patient returns from cardiac catheterization via femoral access. The LVN's most important immediate assessment is:
- Bruising color at the puncture site
- Bleeding and hematoma formation at the site (Correct answer)
- Signs of infection after 48 hours
- Swelling and warmth distal to the site
Correct answer: Bleeding and hematoma formation at the site
Bleeding and hematoma at the femoral access site are the most immediate post-catheterization complications requiring monitoring.
Question 5: Which assessment finding indicates that a peripheral IV site has developed phlebitis?
- Cool, pale skin around the insertion site
- Redness, warmth, and tenderness along the vein (Correct answer)
- Increased urine output
- Decreased blood pressure
Correct answer: Redness, warmth, and tenderness along the vein
Phlebitis is characterized by the classic inflammatory signs: redness, warmth, and tenderness along the affected vein.
Question 6: A patient diagnosed with atrial fibrillation is at greatest risk for which serious complication?
- Hypoglycemia
- Thromboembolism and stroke (Correct answer)
- Respiratory alkalosis
- Renal calculi
Correct answer: Thromboembolism and stroke
Atrial fibrillation causes blood to pool in the atria, promoting clot formation that can travel to the brain and cause stroke.
Question 7: The LVN is caring for a ventilated patient. Which alarm requires immediate assessment?
- Low-priority equipment check alarm
- High-pressure or low-pressure ventilator alarm (Correct answer)
- Battery-backup activation alarm
- Humidifier temperature alert
Correct answer: High-pressure or low-pressure ventilator alarm
High- or low-pressure alarms signal airway obstruction, circuit disconnection, or other life-threatening ventilation changes.
LVN Cardiovascular & Respiratory Care 2
A patient presents with chest pain radiating to the left arm, diaphoresis, and nausea.
The LVN's priority action is to: