FREE CMSRN Cardiac Vascular Questions and Answers

Question 1

When a patient is examined while supine, enlarged jugular veins can be seen running from the base of the neck to the angle of the jaw. This result suggests:

Accepted Answer

increased central venous pressure.

Answer

Enlarged jugular veins, especially when visible while supine, are a classic sign of increased central venous pressure (CVP). CVP reflects the pressure in the right atrium and vena cava, indicating the heart's ability to pump blood effectively and the overall fluid status. Conditions like right-sided heart failure, fluid overload, or tricuspid valve stenosis can lead to elevated CVP and distended jugular veins.

Question 2

One of the main ways to lower a female patient's chance of getting coronary heart disease is to:

Accepted Answer

avoid excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

Answer

Avoiding excessive weight gain during pregnancy is a crucial modifiable risk factor for long-term cardiovascular health in women. Gestational weight gain beyond recommended guidelines is associated with an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and postpartum weight retention, all of which are independent risk factors for future coronary heart disease. Managing weight during pregnancy helps mitigate these risks and promotes better cardiovascular outcomes.

Question 3

When receiving warfarin (Coumadin) medication, excessive alcohol consumption causes:

Accepted Answer

increased anticoagulation effect.

Answer

Excessive alcohol consumption can inhibit the metabolism of warfarin in the liver, leading to higher concentrations of the drug in the bloodstream. This increased level of warfarin enhances its anticoagulant effect, resulting in a higher International Normalized Ratio (INR) and an elevated risk of bleeding. Patients on warfarin are advised to consume alcohol in moderation or avoid it entirely to maintain stable anticoagulation.

Question 4

A nurse diagnosing cardiogenic shock gives the patient's reduced cardiac output. The patient is expected to attain the following goals with the right interventions:

Accepted Answer

baseline cardiac function.

Answer

Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition where the heart's pumping ability is severely impaired, leading to critically reduced cardiac output. The primary goal of all interventions in cardiogenic shock is to restore the heart's function to effectively pump blood and maintain adequate tissue perfusion. Achieving baseline cardiac function signifies the successful reversal of the shock state and restoration of the heart's ability to meet the body's demands.

Question 5

During a cardiac-vascular nurse's evaluation for intermittent claudication, she looks for leg pain and cramps when exerted. She then questions the patient:

Accepted Answer

"Is the leg pain relieved by rest?"

Answer

Intermittent claudication is a hallmark symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD), characterized by muscle pain or cramping in the legs that is consistently brought on by exertion and relieved by rest. This occurs because the narrowed arteries cannot supply enough blood flow to the muscles during activity. Therefore, asking if the leg pain is relieved by rest is a crucial diagnostic question to identify this classic pattern.

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

FREE CMSRN Cardiac Vascular Questions and Answers