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 test is classically used to diagnose cystic fibrosis?

  1. APeak flow test
  2. BSweat chloride test
  3. CD-dimer test
  4. DTuberculin skin test
2.Easy

Which finding is most typical of right-sided heart failure?

  1. ABreathlessness only when lying flat
  2. BWaking at night gasping for breath
  3. CPink frothy sputum and fine crackles in both lung bases
  4. DDependent oedema and raised jugular venous pressure
3.Easy

What is a "barrel chest"?

  1. AA curved spine that bends to one side and twists the ribs
  2. BA wider front-to-back chest diameter from air trapping
  3. CA sunken breastbone that has been present since birth
  4. DA chest that moves inward on breathing in
4.Medium

A patient choosing between a mechanical and a biological heart valve asks about the main difference. Which answer is accurate?

  1. ABoth types need no medicines after surgery
  2. BBiological valves last longer but need lifelong warfarin
  3. CMechanical valves last longer but need lifelong anticoagulation
  4. DMechanical valves wear out within one year
5.Medium

Which laboratory test is used to adjust an unfractionated heparin infusion?

  1. AD-dimer level
  2. BSerum fibrinogen level
  3. CaPTT (or anti-Xa level)
  4. DINR (international normalised ratio)
6.Medium

A patient with a long QT interval develops a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that twists around the baseline but still has a pulse. Which drug is used first?

  1. AIntravenous potassium chloride as a bolus
  2. BIntravenous magnesium sulfate
  3. CIntravenous adenosine
  4. DOral digoxin
7.Hard

Two adults with cystic fibrosis are admitted to the same ward. What is the correct infection-control plan?

  1. ALet them share physiotherapy sessions and equipment
  2. BNurse them in separate single rooms and keep them apart
  3. CPut them in the same bay so they can support each other
  4. DUse standard precautions only, as CF is not infectious
8.Hard

A patient has sudden severe chest pain spreading to the back between the shoulder blades. Which finding most supports aortic dissection rather than myocardial infarction?

  1. AA heart rate of 104/min and a respiratory rate of 22/min
  2. BPain that started at rest
  3. CA large difference in blood pressure between the arms
  4. DSweating, nausea and pallor that started with the pain

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Sweat chloride test
  2. 2. D · Dependent oedema and raised jugular venous pressure
  3. 3. B · A wider front-to-back chest diameter from air trapping
  4. 4. C · Mechanical valves last longer but need lifelong anticoagulation
  5. 5. C · aPTT (or anti-Xa level)
  6. 6. B · Intravenous magnesium sulfate
  7. 7. B · Nurse them in separate single rooms and keep them apart
  8. 8. C · A large difference in blood pressure between the arms

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