Cardiac Nursing Flashcards
7 cards from real MSNCB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Cardiac Nursing flashcards as text
A patient develops heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) confirmed by laboratory testing. The nurse anticipates which medication will be ordered?
Answer: Argatroban or bivalirudin as a direct thrombin inhibitor
In confirmed HIT, all heparin products are contraindicated and a direct thrombin inhibitor such as argatroban or bivalirudin must be substituted.
A patient with aortic stenosis develops syncope, angina, and dyspnea. The nurse recognizes these symptoms indicate:
Answer: Progression to critical stenosis requiring urgent valve intervention
The classic triad of syncope, angina, and dyspnea in aortic stenosis signals critical disease with significantly reduced survival if valve replacement is not performed.
A patient is admitted with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and develops atrial fibrillation. Which medication is contraindicated in this situation?
Answer: IV diltiazem
In WPW with atrial fibrillation, AV nodal blocking agents like diltiazem, verapamil, and digoxin are contraindicated because they can accelerate conduction through the accessory pathway, causing ventricular fibrillation.
A patient post-PCI with stent placement is being discharged. The nurse understands the most critical teaching point regarding dual antiplatelet therapy is:
Answer: Both aspirin and the P2Y12 inhibitor must be taken consistently to prevent in-stent thrombosis
Premature discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary stenting dramatically increases the risk of acute in-stent thrombosis, which carries very high mortality.
When assessing a patient with right-sided heart failure, the nurse expects to find which clinical manifestations?
Answer: Peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, and jugular venous distension
Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion manifesting as peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, ascites, and jugular venous distension.
A patient's ECG shows a regularly irregular rhythm with progressive lengthening of the PR interval until a P wave is not conducted, followed by resumption of the pattern. This describes:
Answer: Second-degree AV block, Mobitz type I (Wenckebach)
Progressive PR prolongation until a dropped QRS, followed by the same repeating cycle, is the hallmark of Mobitz type I (Wenckebach) second-degree AV block.
A nurse is educating a patient about activity restrictions following acute MI. Which statement by the patient indicates correct understanding?
Answer: I will gradually increase my activity level and follow the cardiac rehabilitation program.
Graduated activity progression through a structured cardiac rehabilitation program is the evidence-based approach to safely restoring function after acute MI.