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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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Which serious complication is strongly linked with untreated hypertension?

  1. AAsthma
  2. BPneumonia
  3. CCataract
  4. DStroke
2.Easy

Which advice should be given to a patient taking an anticoagulant?

  1. AAvoid all green vegetables from now on
  2. BSkip a dose whenever a small bruise appears
  3. CTake ibuprofen rather than paracetamol for any pain
  4. DUse a soft toothbrush and report unusual bleeding
3.Easy

Which three signs make up Beck's triad in cardiac tamponade?

  1. ALow blood pressure, distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds
  2. BFever, a new heart murmur and splinter haemorrhages under the nails
  3. CHigh blood pressure, a slow pulse and irregular breathing
  4. DChest pain, ST elevation and raised troponin
4.Medium

A patient taking isosorbide mononitrate asks about sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. What is the main danger?

  1. ASevere hypotension
  2. BA very high potassium level
  3. CBleeding from the gums
  4. DSevere hypertension
5.Medium

Which side effect is particularly common with verapamil?

  1. AConstipation
  2. BDiarrhoea
  3. CDry cough
  4. DHair loss
6.Medium

Shortly after a permanent pacemaker is inserted via the subclavian vein, the patient becomes breathless with reduced breath sounds on that side. What complication should be suspected?

  1. APulmonary oedema
  2. BPericarditis
  3. CPneumothorax
  4. DAsthma
7.Hard

A woman starting rifampicin (rifampin) for tuberculosis uses a combined oral contraceptive pill. What advice is correct?

  1. AContinue the pill as usual, because there is no interaction with TB drugs
  2. BUse another reliable method, as rifampicin reduces the pill's effect
  3. CTake two pills a day to make up for the drug
  4. DStop all contraception during TB treatment, as pregnancy cannot occur
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. CGive a sedative to keep the patient comfortable
  4. DEncourage the patient to keep pressing the PCA button for comfort

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Stroke
  2. 2. D · Use a soft toothbrush and report unusual bleeding
  3. 3. A · Low blood pressure, distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds
  4. 4. A · Severe hypotension
  5. 5. A · Constipation
  6. 6. C · Pneumothorax
  7. 7. B · Use another reliable method, as rifampicin reduces the pill's effect
  8. 8. A · Stop the PCA, support breathing, give oxygen and get naloxone

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