LVN Cardiovascular & Respiratory Care 3

Question 1

A patient with DVT is receiving heparin. The LVN's primary monitoring priority is:

Accepted Answer

Bleeding

Answer

Heparin is an anticoagulant; the primary risk of therapy is bleeding due to excessive anticoagulation.

Question 2

Which assessment findings are most consistent with right-sided heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Dependent edema and jugular vein distension

Answer

Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion leading to peripheral dependent edema and jugular vein distension.

Question 3

A patient has a blood pressure of 220/120 mmHg and is symptomatic. The LVN's priority actions are to:

Accepted Answer

Administer prescribed antihypertensive medication and notify the physician

Answer

Hypertensive crisis requires immediate antihypertensive administration and physician notification to prevent end-organ damage.

Question 4

When auscultating a patient's chest, the LVN hears a friction rub. This finding is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Pericarditis

Answer

A pericardial friction rub results from inflamed pericardial layers rubbing against each other, characteristic of pericarditis.

Question 5

A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). The LVN should monitor which serum electrolyte most closely?

Accepted Answer

Potassium

Answer

Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes renal potassium excretion, placing patients at risk for hypokalemia.

(LVN) Licensed Vocational Nurses Certification Practice Test