Med-surg: cardiovascular & respiratory worksheet with answers

Free printable Med-surg: cardiovascular & respiratory worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Which muscle does most of the work of quiet breathing?

  1. AThe abdominal muscles
  2. BThe diaphragm
  3. CThe trapezius
  4. DThe sternocleidomastoid
2.Easy

Where in the kidney does furosemide mainly act?

  1. AThe renal artery
  2. BThe glomerulus
  3. CThe loop of Henle
  4. DThe collecting duct only
3.Easy

What is the normal PR interval on an adult ECG?

  1. A0.12–0.20 seconds
  2. B0.02–0.06 seconds
  3. C1.0–1.2 seconds
  4. D0.40–0.60 seconds
4.Medium

Two days after a myocardial infarction, a patient develops sudden breathlessness, crackles and a new loud systolic murmur. Which complication should be suspected?

  1. APost-infarction pericarditis causing a pericardial friction rub
  2. BPapillary muscle rupture with acute mitral regurgitation
  3. CA pulmonary embolism caused by prolonged bed rest
  4. DA new episode of stable angina brought on by stress
5.Medium

A patient on ramipril is to start sacubitril/valsartan for heart failure. What is the key safety point?

  1. AThe ACE inhibitor must be stopped first, with a gap before starting
  2. BThe ACE inhibitor dose should be doubled during the change
  3. CBoth drugs should be taken together each day for the best effect
  4. DSacubitril/valsartan is safe to start on the same morning
6.Medium

In heart failure, why does activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system worsen symptoms over time?

  1. AIt causes sodium and water retention and vasoconstriction
  2. BIt slows the heart rate dangerously
  3. CIt lowers the blood pressure to very low levels over time
  4. DIt makes the kidneys pass too much dilute urine each day
7.Hard

A nurse finds a patient collapsed in bed and unresponsive. What should the nurse do first?

  1. ALeave the patient to fetch a defibrillator before calling anyone
  2. BShout for help, open the airway and check breathing for up to 10 seconds
  3. CGive two rescue breaths, then check the blood glucose before calling anyone
  4. DTake a full set of observations, including temperature and blood glucose
8.Hard

A patient is listed for coronary angiography in the morning. Which pre-procedure result should the nurse report to the team?

  1. AA markedly reduced eGFR
  2. BA haemoglobin in the normal range
  3. CA blood glucose of 5.4 mmol/L (97 mg/dL)
  4. DA normal platelet count

Answer key

  1. 1. B · The diaphragm
  2. 2. C · The loop of Henle
  3. 3. A · 0.12–0.20 seconds
  4. 4. B · Papillary muscle rupture with acute mitral regurgitation
  5. 5. A · The ACE inhibitor must be stopped first, with a gap before starting
  6. 6. A · It causes sodium and water retention and vasoconstriction
  7. 7. B · Shout for help, open the airway and check breathing for up to 10 seconds
  8. 8. A · A markedly reduced eGFR

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