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

What does an SpO₂ reading measure?

  1. AThe percentage of haemoglobin carrying oxygen
  2. BThe total haemoglobin level
  3. CThe oxygen level in the brain
  4. DThe amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood
2.Easy

Which organism causes tuberculosis?

  1. ACorynebacterium diphtheriae
  2. BPseudomonas aeruginosa
  3. CMycobacterium tuberculosis
  4. DStaphylococcus aureus
3.Easy

What causes the first heart sound (S1)?

  1. ABlood flowing quickly into the atria
  2. BThe heart muscle stretching in diastole
  3. CClosure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
  4. DClosure of the aortic and pulmonary valves
4.Medium

Why does a large, rapidly forming pericardial effusion lower the blood pressure?

  1. AIt causes the aortic valve to leak backwards into the ventricle
  2. BIt makes the heart muscle contract too strongly and too fast
  3. CIt dilates the arteries throughout the body
  4. DIt compresses the heart and stops the ventricles filling
5.Medium

Why should a simple face mask not be used with an oxygen flow below about 5 L/min?

  1. AOxygen cannot be humidified at low flows
  2. BThe mask delivers too much oxygen at low flows
  3. CThe elastic strap is too loose at low flows
  4. DExhaled CO₂ can collect in the mask and be rebreathed
6.Medium

Which feature of a COPD exacerbation most suggests that antibiotics are needed?

  1. AA mild sore throat that lasted for one day only
  2. BA dry, tickly cough with no sputum at all for a day
  3. CAn increase in purulent (green or yellow) sputum
  4. DA clear runny nose
7.Hard

A nurse looked after a patient for a shift before smear-positive pulmonary TB was diagnosed, without wearing a respirator. What should happen?

  1. ATake no action, as healthcare workers are immune to TB
  2. BStart a full six-month course of TB drugs at once without any tests
  3. CStay off work for six months in case symptoms develop
  4. DReport it so occupational health can arrange follow-up screening
8.Hard

A heavy smoker is having surgery tomorrow and asks whether stopping smoking now is pointless. Which reply is most accurate?

  1. AStopping now will make the operation more dangerous
  2. BIt is pointless unless they stopped smoking at least a year ago
  3. CStopping even today lowers carbon monoxide levels before surgery
  4. DSmoking before surgery protects the lungs from the anaesthetic gases

Answer key

  1. 1. A · The percentage of haemoglobin carrying oxygen
  2. 2. C · Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  3. 3. C · Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
  4. 4. D · It compresses the heart and stops the ventricles filling
  5. 5. D · Exhaled CO₂ can collect in the mask and be rebreathed
  6. 6. C · An increase in purulent (green or yellow) sputum
  7. 7. D · Report it so occupational health can arrange follow-up screening
  8. 8. C · Stopping even today lowers carbon monoxide levels before surgery

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