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 is a thoracentesis?

  1. ARemoving fluid from the pleural space with a needle
  2. BInserting a flexible camera into the airways to look inside
  3. CRemoving a lobe of the lung
  4. DMeasuring lung volumes by blowing into a tube
2.Easy

What is the normal resting respiratory rate for an adult?

  1. A12–20 breaths per minute
  2. B30–40 breaths per minute
  3. C6–10 breaths per minute
  4. D24–30 breaths per minute
3.Easy

Which side effect of ethambutol should patients report straight away?

  1. ANumbness and tingling of the feet and hands
  2. BA painful, red and swollen big toe joint
  3. CBlurred vision or changes in colour vision
  4. DOrange-red colouring of the urine and tears
4.Medium

Which ECG change is classically linked with hyperkalaemia?

  1. AProminent U waves
  2. BTall, peaked T waves
  3. CA sawtooth baseline
  4. DDelta waves before the QRS
5.Medium

A patient with stable angina is afraid nicotine patches will harm their heart. Which reply is most accurate?

  1. ANicotine patches are much more harmful to the heart than cigarettes
  2. BNicotine replacement is much safer than smoking and is recommended
  3. CPeople with angina must stop smoking without any help
  4. DNicotine replacement only works if smoking continues
6.Medium

Why is a raised serum lactate concerning in a patient with shock?

  1. AIt suggests tissues are short of oxygen and using anaerobic metabolism
  2. BIt confirms a bacterial infection is present
  3. CIt shows only that the patient has eaten a large meal in the past hour
  4. DIt means the kidneys are working harder than normal to clear fluid
7.Hard

A patient regains a pulse after a ventricular fibrillation arrest that was probably caused by a heart attack. Which investigation is most urgent?

  1. AAn abdominal ultrasound
  2. BA lumbar puncture
  3. CA 12-lead ECG
  4. DSpirometry
8.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 call if I gain weight quickly or get more breathless."
  2. B"I will use a salt substitute instead of ordinary salt."
  3. C"I will avoid ibuprofen for my joint pain."
  4. D"I will weigh myself every morning after I go to the toilet."

Answer key

  1. 1. A · Removing fluid from the pleural space with a needle
  2. 2. A · 12–20 breaths per minute
  3. 3. C · Blurred vision or changes in colour vision
  4. 4. B · Tall, peaked T waves
  5. 5. B · Nicotine replacement is much safer than smoking and is recommended
  6. 6. A · It suggests tissues are short of oxygen and using anaerobic metabolism
  7. 7. C · A 12-lead ECG
  8. 8. B · "I will use a salt substitute instead of ordinary salt."

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