Chapter 12 Question 1 A patient’s cardiac index will be calculated. What nursing interventions are necessary before this calculation is completed? 1. Assure that there is an accurate current weight on the medical record. 2. Compare fluid input and output for the last 12 hours. 3. Measure the patient’s height. 4. Figure the patient’s age in years and months. 5. Obtain the patient’s current heart rate. Question 2 A patient is scheduled for an echocardiogram with measurement of ejection fraction. The nurse explains to the patient that this test will provide the most information about which cardiac characteristic? 1. The amount of blood the heart pumps every minute 2. The strength of the heartbeat 3. The amount of resistance the heart beats against 4. The amount of blood in the heart before it beats Question 3 Testing indicates that a patient has a high preload. What changes would the nurse expect in this patient’s cardiac function? 1. Heart rate will decrease. 2. Afterload will increase. 3. Stroke volume will decrease. 4. Stoke volume will increase. 5. Blood pressure will decrease. Question 4 A patient, with a steadily increasing preload, was experiencing a corresponding increase in stroke volume but it has now begun to decrease. Which rationale would the nurse provide for this occurrence? 1. This fluctuation will occur until maximum preload has been reached. 2. The patient’s heart rate is increasing, which causes a drop in stroke volume. 3. The patient’s preload has reached a critical point and now stroke volume will decrease. 4. It is necessary to assess for a secondary pathophysiological event causing the stroke volume to decrease. Question 5 A patient is diagnosed with septic shock and has a decrease in afterload. The nurse would expect which initial changes in the patient’s cardiac status? 1. Increase in cardiac output 2. Increase in blood pressure 3. Decrease in cardiac output 4. Decrease in blood pressure 5. No change in blood pressure or cardiac output Question 6 It is determined that a patient has poor cardiac contractility. The nurse would anticipate administering which type of drugs to improve contractility? 1. Cardiac glycosides 2. Loop diuretics 3. Sympathomimetic agents 4. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors 5. Ace-inhibitors Question 7 A patient is admitted with the complaint of chest pain. Questions about which history will best help the nurse determine if the pain is from cardiac or pulmonary origin? 1. Deficits in movement, timing of the pain, and dietary changes in the last 24 hours 2. What precipitated the pain, what it feels like, and where it is located 3. Changes in dietary habits, smoking history, and presence of cough 4. What home remedies were tried, activity level, and fluid intake changes Question 8 Which assessment techniques will the nurse use to evaluate the patient’s cardiac output? 1. Inspection of color changes in the periphery 2. Strength of pulses 3. Percussion of heart borders 4. Auscultation of heart sounds 5. Pulse pressure determination Question 9 A patient has been admitted with chest pain and generalized discomfort. Which assessment is essential in order for the nurse to set realistic goals for patient therapy and education? 1. The patient’s functional status prior to illness 2. Family history of disease, diet history, and prior medical history 3. Demographic data including age, sex, race, and weight of patient 4. Cardiovascular risk factors, such as history of smoking and stress level Question 10 The nurse has auscultated the patient’s heart sounds and has measured vital signs. Which finding would the nurse evaluate as indicating greatest need for additional assessment? 1. Pulse pressure of 38 mm Hg 2. Bounding, vigorous pulse 3. Split of S2 4. Apical pulse of 66