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 does central cyanosis of the lips and tongue indicate?

  1. ALow oxygen saturation of the arterial blood
  2. BNormal findings in older adults
  3. CCold hands caused by the room, with normal oxygen levels
  4. DA high haemoglobin level only
2.Easy

How is cystic fibrosis inherited?

  1. AX-linked recessive
  2. BIt is not inherited
  3. CAutosomal recessive
  4. DAutosomal dominant
3.Easy

In a healthy person, what is the main chemical stimulus for breathing?

  1. AA falling level of potassium in the blood
  2. BA falling level of glucose in the blood after fasting
  3. CA rising level of oxygen in the blood
  4. DA rising level of carbon dioxide in the blood
4.Medium

A patient who has just started an antihypertensive feels dizzy when getting out of bed. What is the correct advice?

  1. ASit on the bed edge for a moment before standing
  2. BStop taking the tablet without telling the doctor or nurse
  3. CTake a double dose the next morning instead
  4. DStand up quickly so the blood keeps moving
5.Medium

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

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

After an acute coronary syndrome, a patient with a normal cholesterol level is prescribed a high-intensity statin. Why?

  1. AStatins are given after an ACS mainly to lower the blood pressure
  2. BStatins are needed only if the cholesterol level is very high
  3. CStatins work as painkillers for chest pain
  4. DStatins reduce further events whatever the starting cholesterol
7.Hard

A patient with obstructive sleep apnoea who uses CPAP at home is having surgery. Which plan is safest after the operation?

  1. ANurse the patient lying flat on their back to keep the airway open
  2. BGive extra opioids so the patient sleeps through the night
  3. CLeave the CPAP machine at home, as it is not needed while in hospital
  4. DUse their CPAP machine and monitor closely, using opioids with caution
8.Hard

A patient has sudden severe chest pain spreading to the back between the shoulder blades. Which finding most supports aortic dissection rather than myocardial infarction?

  1. ASweating, nausea and pallor that started with the pain
  2. BPain that started at rest
  3. CA heart rate of 104/min and a respiratory rate of 22/min
  4. DA large difference in blood pressure between the arms

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Low oxygen saturation of the arterial blood
  2. 2. C · Autosomal recessive
  3. 3. D · A rising level of carbon dioxide in the blood
  4. 4. A · Sit on the bed edge for a moment before standing
  5. 5. D · Use a mouthpiece or protect the eyes from the mist
  6. 6. D · Statins reduce further events whatever the starting cholesterol
  7. 7. D · Use their CPAP machine and monitor closely, using opioids with caution
  8. 8. D · A large difference in blood pressure between the arms

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