Med-surg: cardiovascular & respiratory worksheet with answers

Why is hypertension often called a "silent killer"?

1. AIt often causes no symptoms while it damages organs
2. BIt always causes headaches that patients learn to ignore
3. CIt mainly occurs at night during sleep
4. DIt can only be found with a blood test

What is the usual SpO₂ of a healthy adult at rest breathing room air?

1. AAbout 60–65%
2. BAbout 70–75%
3. CAbout 95–100%
4. DAbout 80–85%

Which dietary change lowers blood pressure most?

1. AMore coffee and fewer fizzy drinks with added sugar
2. BLess salt and more fruit and vegetables
3. CMore red meat and less bread
4. DMore fruit juice and less water

A patient with a recent stroke and difficulty swallowing develops fever and right lower lobe crackles. What is the most likely cause?

1. AAcute asthma
2. BLeft ventricular failure
3. CPulmonary embolism
4. DAspiration pneumonia

Rheumatic heart disease most often follows which infection?

1. AA viral infection of the upper airway
2. BA group A streptococcal throat infection
3. CStaphylococcal infection of the skin
4. DA fungal infection of the lungs

A patient with angle-closure glaucoma needs nebulised ipratropium. What precaution is sensible?

1. AMix it with an eye drop before putting it in the nebuliser
2. BRun it at the highest possible gas flow
3. CGive it only with the patient lying completely flat
4. DUse a mouthpiece or protect the eyes from the mist

A patient's chest drain is accidentally pulled out. What is the immediate action?

1. ASeal the site with a sterile occlusive dressing and get help
2. BLeave the hole uncovered so trapped air can escape
3. CPush the drain back into the chest and secure it with tape
4. DAsk the patient to cough hard to expand the lung

Before the morning dose of digoxin, a patient's apical pulse is 54/min and they feel nauseated. What should the nurse do?

1. AGive the dose, because only a radial pulse counts
2. BGive the dose and an antiemetic, then recheck the pulse tomorrow
3. CGive half the dose and recheck the pulse in an hour
4. DWithhold the dose and report it, as toxicity is possible