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.

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

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

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

When do the coronary arteries of the left ventricle mainly fill with blood?

  1. AOnly during exercise
  2. BDuring systole
  3. CDuring diastole
  4. DOnly during inspiration
3.Easy

What does "myocardial infarction" mean?

  1. AInfection of the heart valves
  2. BDeath of heart muscle caused by a blocked blood supply
  3. CInflammation of the membrane that surrounds the heart
  4. DTemporary chest pain with no muscle damage
4.Medium

How should subcutaneous enoxaparin from a prefilled syringe be given?

  1. AInto the abdomen, leaving the air bubble in, without rubbing
  2. BInto the same abdominal site each day, then massaged
  3. CAs a rapid intravenous bolus through a cannula
  4. DInto the deltoid muscle, after first expelling the air bubble
5.Medium

Why must inspired air be humidified for a patient with a tracheostomy?

  1. ADry air is needed to stop secretions forming in the trachea
  2. BHumidified air contains more oxygen than dry air at the same flow
  3. CThe nose and upper airway, which warm and moisten air, are bypassed
  4. DHumidification prevents the cuff from deflating
6.Medium

Which ECG change is classically linked with hyperkalaemia?

  1. AA sawtooth baseline
  2. BDelta waves before the QRS
  3. CProminent U waves
  4. DTall, peaked T waves
7.Hard

A nurse teaches a patient with heart failure who takes ramipril and spironolactone. Which statement shows a need for further teaching?

  1. A"I will avoid ibuprofen for my joint pain."
  2. B"I will weigh myself every morning after I go to the toilet."
  3. C"I will use a salt substitute instead of ordinary salt."
  4. D"I will call if I gain weight quickly or get more breathless."
8.Hard

A patient on a morphine PCA after surgery is very drowsy, with a respiratory rate of 7/min and pinpoint pupils. SpO₂ is 89%. What should the nurse do first?

  1. AStop the PCA, support breathing, give oxygen and get naloxone
  2. BLeave the patient to sleep and recheck the observations in an hour
  3. CEncourage the patient to keep pressing the PCA button for comfort
  4. DGive a sedative to keep the patient comfortable

Answer key

  1. 1. B · About 95–100%
  2. 2. C · During diastole
  3. 3. B · Death of heart muscle caused by a blocked blood supply
  4. 4. A · Into the abdomen, leaving the air bubble in, without rubbing
  5. 5. C · The nose and upper airway, which warm and moisten air, are bypassed
  6. 6. D · Tall, peaked T waves
  7. 7. C · "I will use a salt substitute instead of ordinary salt."
  8. 8. A · Stop the PCA, support breathing, give oxygen and get naloxone

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.