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 usual INR target range for a patient taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation?

  1. A2.0–3.0
  2. B1.0–1.5
  3. C4.0–5.0
  4. D0.5–1.0
2.Easy

What is the "calf muscle pump"?

  1. ACalf muscles squeezing the deep veins to push blood towards the heart
  2. BThe artery that supplies oxygenated blood to the muscles of the calf
  3. CA heart valve that pumps blood into the legs
  4. DA device that inflates around the calf during surgery to warm the leg
3.Easy

What does the term "preload" describe?

  1. AThe stretch of the ventricle at the end of filling
  2. BThe resistance the ventricle pumps against
  3. CThe force of contraction regardless of filling
  4. DThe amount of blood left in the atria after systole
4.Medium

After varicose vein surgery, which advice is usually given?

  1. AAvoid all walking until the bruising has gone
  2. BWear the compression stockings as advised and walk regularly
  3. CStand still for long periods to help the veins heal
  4. DStay in bed for two weeks with the legs hanging down
5.Medium

Which patient is most typical of a primary spontaneous pneumothorax?

  1. AA tall, thin young man who smokes
  2. BA child with a viral sore throat
  3. CAn older woman with long-standing heart failure
  4. DA middle-aged woman with high blood pressure
6.Medium

A patient has just started an ACE inhibitor. Which blood tests are usually checked within the first one to two weeks?

  1. ALiver enzymes and amylase
  2. BTroponin and creatine kinase
  3. CINR and platelet count
  4. DPotassium and creatinine
7.Hard

A breathless patient on a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min has a reservoir bag that collapses completely with each breath. What should the nurse do?

  1. ARemove the bag, as the mask works without it
  2. BReduce the flow to 2 L/min to stop the bag collapsing
  3. CLeave it, because a collapsing bag shows a good seal
  4. DCheck the oxygen supply and flow so the bag stays inflated
8.Hard

A patient with heart failure has gained 2.5 kg in three days, has new crackles at both bases and now sleeps on four pillows. BP 138/84 mmHg, SpO₂ 93% on air. What is the priority?

  1. ARecord the weight and check it again at the end of the next week
  2. BLay the patient flat to rest the heart and lower demand
  3. CSit the patient up, assess fully and report the fluid overload
  4. DEncourage extra oral fluids to protect the kidneys

Answer key

  1. 1. A · 2.0–3.0
  2. 2. A · Calf muscles squeezing the deep veins to push blood towards the heart
  3. 3. A · The stretch of the ventricle at the end of filling
  4. 4. B · Wear the compression stockings as advised and walk regularly
  5. 5. A · A tall, thin young man who smokes
  6. 6. D · Potassium and creatinine
  7. 7. D · Check the oxygen supply and flow so the bag stays inflated
  8. 8. C · Sit the patient up, assess fully and report the fluid overload

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