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 bronchiectasis?

  1. ADestruction of the alveolar walls with air trapping
  2. BA brief spasm of the airways that fully reverses with treatment
  3. CPermanent widening of the bronchi with chronic sputum
  4. DA tumour of the main bronchus
2.Easy

What is the classic clinical definition of chronic bronchitis?

  1. AA dry cough lasting about one week after a common cold
  2. BA cough with sputum most days for 3 months in 2 years running
  3. CA single episode of coughing up blood after a chest infection
  4. DWheeze and chest tightness that occur only during exercise
3.Easy

What is cor pulmonale?

  1. ALeft-sided heart failure caused by a heart attack
  2. BInfection of the heart valves
  3. CRight-sided heart failure caused by lung disease
  4. DInflammation of the lining around the heart
4.Medium

How should a patient with asthma record their peak flow at home?

  1. ABlow only during an asthma attack, never when well
  2. BTake the average of ten blows after exercise
  3. CTake one gentle blow once a week, at any time of day
  4. DTake the best of three blows, ideally morning and evening
5.Medium

Which advice is most helpful for a patient with Raynaud's phenomenon?

  1. ARub the fingers hard with snow during an attack
  2. BKeep the whole body warm, wear gloves and stop smoking
  3. CSoak the hands in cold water to toughen the vessels
  4. DTake a decongestant tablet before going outdoors
6.Medium

During an episode of chest pain, a patient's ECG shows new horizontal ST depression. What does this most likely indicate?

  1. AA normal finding during pain
  2. BHyperkalaemia
  3. CMyocardial ischaemia
  4. DPericarditis
7.Hard

A nurse is reviewing four telemetry patients. Which rhythm needs attention first?

  1. ASinus bradycardia of 54/min in a patient who is asleep and comfortable
  2. BFirst-degree heart block with a stable blood pressure and no symptoms
  3. CRepeated runs of ventricular tachycardia in a patient who feels dizzy
  4. DRate-controlled atrial fibrillation at 82/min
8.Hard

A patient with stable severe COPD has a blood gas showing pH 7.37, a raised PaCO₂ and a raised bicarbonate. How should this be interpreted?

  1. ARespiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation
  2. BChronic respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation
  3. CAcute respiratory acidosis needing emergency intubation
  4. DA normal blood gas with no abnormality

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Permanent widening of the bronchi with chronic sputum
  2. 2. B · A cough with sputum most days for 3 months in 2 years running
  3. 3. C · Right-sided heart failure caused by lung disease
  4. 4. D · Take the best of three blows, ideally morning and evening
  5. 5. B · Keep the whole body warm, wear gloves and stop smoking
  6. 6. C · Myocardial ischaemia
  7. 7. C · Repeated runs of ventricular tachycardia in a patient who feels dizzy
  8. 8. B · Chronic respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation

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