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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1.Easy

What is the main cause of COPD in high-income countries?

  1. AChildhood asthma
  2. BEating too much salt
  3. CA viral infection
  4. DCigarette smoking
2.Easy

Legionnaires' disease is usually acquired from which source?

  1. AContact with cats' litter trays while cleaning them at home
  2. BEating undercooked chicken or eggs bought from a market stall
  3. CMosquito bites when travelling in warm, humid countries
  4. DContaminated water systems such as cooling towers and showers
3.Easy

What does an SpO₂ reading measure?

  1. AThe oxygen level in the brain
  2. BThe percentage of haemoglobin carrying oxygen
  3. CThe amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood
  4. DThe total haemoglobin level
4.Medium

A nurse measures blood pressure on a large upper arm using a cuff that is too small. What effect will this have?

  1. AThe reading will be falsely high
  2. BThe reading will be accurate but slower
  3. COnly the pulse rate will be affected
  4. DThe reading will be falsely low
5.Medium

What is the main problem in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction?

  1. AA leaking aortic valve
  2. BA stiff ventricle that fills poorly in diastole
  3. CA dilated ventricle that cannot contract strongly
  4. DA blocked pulmonary artery
6.Medium

Which finding shows that long-standing hypertension has caused target organ damage?

  1. AA normal fasting glucose
  2. BClear lung fields on the chest X-ray
  3. CLeft ventricular hypertrophy on the ECG
  4. DA heart rate of 72/min
7.Hard

After positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is increased on a ventilated patient, the blood pressure falls. What is the most likely reason?

  1. APEEP directly weakens the heart muscle and its contraction
  2. BPEEP causes immediate blood loss from the alveolar capillaries
  3. CPEEP lowers the blood oxygen level
  4. DHigher chest pressure reduces venous return to the heart
8.Hard

A patient with severe chronic kidney disease needs therapeutic anticoagulation for a DVT. Why might unfractionated heparin be chosen instead of a low-molecular-weight heparin?

  1. ALMWH is cleared by the kidneys and can accumulate
  2. BUnfractionated heparin is taken by mouth
  3. CUnfractionated heparin has no bleeding risk at all
  4. DLMWH cannot be given to anyone over 60

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Cigarette smoking
  2. 2. D · Contaminated water systems such as cooling towers and showers
  3. 3. B · The percentage of haemoglobin carrying oxygen
  4. 4. A · The reading will be falsely high
  5. 5. B · A stiff ventricle that fills poorly in diastole
  6. 6. C · Left ventricular hypertrophy on the ECG
  7. 7. D · Higher chest pressure reduces venous return to the heart
  8. 8. A · LMWH is cleared by the kidneys and can accumulate

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