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 an embolus?

  1. AA narrowing of an artery caused by a build-up of fatty plaque
  2. BA bulge in the weakened wall of an artery that may rupture
  3. CA clot that stays fixed in the vessel where it first formed
  4. DA clot or other mass that travels in the blood and lodges elsewhere
2.Easy

What is the main cause of COPD in high-income countries?

  1. AA viral infection
  2. BEating too much salt
  3. CCigarette smoking
  4. DChildhood asthma
3.Easy

What is the "calf muscle pump"?

  1. AThe artery that supplies oxygenated blood to the muscles of the calf
  2. BA heart valve that pumps blood into the legs
  3. CCalf muscles squeezing the deep veins to push blood towards the heart
  4. DA device that inflates around the calf during surgery to warm the leg
4.Medium

A patient who had a leg amputation says they feel burning pain in the missing foot. What is the best response?

  1. AAdvise that it will be ignored until it stops
  2. BExplain that burning pain in the missing foot shows wound infection
  3. CExplain that phantom limb pain is real and arrange treatment
  4. DTell the patient the pain must be imaginary as the foot has gone
5.Medium

A patient with a regular narrow-complex tachycardia of 180/min is alert with a normal blood pressure. What is usually tried first?

  1. AA large oral dose of digoxin
  2. BVagal manoeuvres such as a modified Valsalva
  3. CAn immediate unsynchronised shock with the defibrillator
  4. DChest compressions until the rate slows
6.Medium

Why must inspired air be humidified for a patient with a tracheostomy?

  1. AHumidified air contains more oxygen than dry air at the same flow
  2. BThe nose and upper airway, which warm and moisten air, are bypassed
  3. CDry air is needed to stop secretions forming in the trachea
  4. DHumidification prevents the cuff from deflating
7.Hard

A patient's chest drain is accidentally pulled out. What is the immediate action?

  1. AAsk the patient to cough hard to expand the lung
  2. BPush the drain back into the chest and secure it with tape
  3. CSeal the site with a sterile occlusive dressing and get help
  4. DLeave the hole uncovered so trapped air can escape
8.Hard

A patient with COPD who is known to retain CO₂ arrives on 15 L/min oxygen. They are now drowsy with SpO₂ 99%. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. AGive a sedative to help the patient rest
  2. BKeep the oxygen at 15 L/min because the saturation is excellent
  3. CRemove the oxygen completely and observe
  4. DReduce the oxygen to aim for 88–92% and get a blood gas

Answer key

  1. 1. D · A clot or other mass that travels in the blood and lodges elsewhere
  2. 2. C · Cigarette smoking
  3. 3. C · Calf muscles squeezing the deep veins to push blood towards the heart
  4. 4. C · Explain that phantom limb pain is real and arrange treatment
  5. 5. B · Vagal manoeuvres such as a modified Valsalva
  6. 6. B · The nose and upper airway, which warm and moisten air, are bypassed
  7. 7. C · Seal the site with a sterile occlusive dressing and get help
  8. 8. D · Reduce the oxygen to aim for 88–92% and get a blood gas

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