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.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

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 role of surfactant in the lungs?

  1. AIt kills bacteria that reach the alveoli from the air
  2. BIt lowers surface tension so the alveoli stay open
  3. CIt moves mucus up towards the throat
  4. DIt carries oxygen across the membrane into the blood
2.Easy

What does the term "hypoxaemia" mean?

  1. AA fast breathing rate with normal oxygen
  2. BA high level of carbon dioxide in the blood
  3. CA low level of oxygen in the arterial blood
  4. DA low level of haemoglobin in the blood
3.Easy

What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR?

  1. A5 compressions to 1 breath
  2. B15 compressions to 2 breaths
  3. C50 compressions to 5 breaths
  4. D30 compressions to 2 breaths
4.Medium

Before compression therapy is applied for a venous leg ulcer, which assessment is essential?

  1. AA wound swab for culture and sensitivity
  2. BAn ankle–brachial pressure index (ABPI)
  3. CA chest X-ray and ECG
  4. DA full blood count and CRP
5.Medium

A patient arrives with suspected cardiac chest pain. How soon should a 12-lead ECG be recorded?

  1. AOnly after the troponin result is available
  2. BWithin about 10 minutes of arrival
  3. CThe following morning
  4. DWithin 2 hours of arrival
6.Medium

How is the jugular venous pressure usually assessed?

  1. APatient sitting upright with the arms raised above the head
  2. BPatient reclined at 45° with the head turned slightly to the left
  3. CPatient standing with the neck flexed forward
  4. DPatient lying completely flat with the head turned to the right
7.Hard

After a pneumonectomy, how is the patient usually positioned?

  1. AOn the back or the operated side, not fully on the remaining lung
  2. BHead down with the legs raised, to drain secretions from the lung
  3. CFlat and prone for the whole of the first day after surgery
  4. DFully on the non-operated side, to help drain the empty space
8.Hard

Four hours after PCI via the femoral artery, the groin dressing is soaked with blood and a firm swelling is growing. What is the immediate action?

  1. ARemove the dressing and leave the site open to the air
  2. BHelp the patient sit up and walk to the toilet to void
  3. CApply firm pressure just above the puncture site and call for help
  4. DIncrease the heparin infusion rate so that no clot forms at the site

Answer key

  1. 1. B · It lowers surface tension so the alveoli stay open
  2. 2. C · A low level of oxygen in the arterial blood
  3. 3. D · 30 compressions to 2 breaths
  4. 4. B · An ankle–brachial pressure index (ABPI)
  5. 5. B · Within about 10 minutes of arrival
  6. 6. B · Patient reclined at 45° with the head turned slightly to the left
  7. 7. A · On the back or the operated side, not fully on the remaining lung
  8. 8. C · Apply firm pressure just above the puncture site and call for help

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