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 purpose of incentive spirometry after surgery?

  1. ATo encourage deep breaths and prevent atelectasis
  2. BTo test lung function before discharge
  3. CTo deliver nebulised bronchodilator medicine
  4. DTo measure the patient's oxygen saturation
2.Easy

Which test is classically used to diagnose cystic fibrosis?

  1. ATuberculin skin test
  2. BPeak flow test
  3. CD-dimer test
  4. DSweat chloride test
3.Easy

Which dietary change lowers blood pressure most?

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

A patient with COPD is prescribed long-term oxygen therapy. How many hours a day is it usually needed to improve survival?

  1. AAt least 15 hours a day
  2. BOnly when walking outside
  3. COnly during meals
  4. DAbout one hour each morning
5.Medium

A patient on nasal cannula oxygen breathes mainly through the mouth. What is the most accurate statement?

  1. AIt can still work, because oxygen collects in the nasopharynx
  2. BThe cannula should be placed in the mouth
  3. CThe flow must be increased to 15 L/min to make it work at all
  4. DIt has no effect at all in mouth breathers and must be stopped
6.Medium

Why should a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) never be used alone in asthma?

  1. AWithout an inhaled steroid, it is linked with severe and fatal attacks
  2. BIt works only when it is taken together with a course of antibiotics
  3. CIt cannot be inhaled without a nebuliser
  4. DIt always causes immediate severe bronchospasm when used on its own
7.Hard

An 84-year-old with heart failure becomes breathless with new crackles and a rising blood pressure during a blood transfusion. What should the nurse suspect?

  1. AAn acute haemolytic reaction from wrong blood
  2. BA mild febrile reaction
  3. CTransfusion-associated circulatory overload
  4. DNormal effects of the transfusion
8.Hard

A patient with known peripheral arterial disease suddenly has a cold, white, painful foot with no pulses and numb toes. What is the priority?

  1. AEncourage walking to open up the collateral circulation
  2. BEscalate at once as an emergency; keep the leg level, no heat
  3. CRaise the leg on pillows and warm the foot with a hot water bottle
  4. DApply a compression bandage to improve the circulation

Answer key

  1. 1. A · To encourage deep breaths and prevent atelectasis
  2. 2. D · Sweat chloride test
  3. 3. D · Less salt and more fruit and vegetables
  4. 4. A · At least 15 hours a day
  5. 5. A · It can still work, because oxygen collects in the nasopharynx
  6. 6. A · Without an inhaled steroid, it is linked with severe and fatal attacks
  7. 7. C · Transfusion-associated circulatory overload
  8. 8. B · Escalate at once as an emergency; keep the leg level, no heat

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