Med-surg: cardiovascular & respiratory worksheet with answers

Which two conditions are included in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

1. AAsthma and pneumonia
2. BPulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis
3. CEmphysema and chronic bronchitis
4. DBronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis

A patient with heart failure says they need three pillows to breathe comfortably at night. What is this symptom called?

1. ATachypnoea
2. BHaemoptysis
3. CBradypnoea
4. DOrthopnoea

What is "swinging" (tidaling) in a chest drain water-seal chamber?

1. AThe drainage unit rocking when the patient walks
2. BContinuous bubbling, whether or not the patient breathes
3. CBlood clots moving along the drainage tubing
4. DThe fluid level moving up and down with breathing

Which vaccinations are usually recommended for people with COPD?

1. AA yearly tetanus booster only
2. BA BCG vaccine every five years
3. CNo vaccines at all, as they are known to trigger exacerbations
4. DAnnual influenza and pneumococcal vaccination

Which ECG finding is typical of atrial flutter?

1. AWide, bizarre QRS complexes at 180/min
2. BRegular sawtooth flutter waves between QRS complexes
3. CP waves with no relationship to the QRS complexes
4. DA chaotic baseline with no clear P waves and irregular QRS

After an acute coronary syndrome, a patient with a normal cholesterol level is prescribed a high-intensity statin. Why?

1. AStatins reduce further events whatever the starting cholesterol
2. BStatins work as painkillers for chest pain
3. CStatins are needed only if the cholesterol level is very high
4. DStatins are given after an ACS mainly to lower the blood pressure

On a ventilated patient, the end-tidal CO₂ waveform suddenly drops to zero. What should the nurse suspect first?

1. AA sudden improvement in the patient's lung function
2. BA rise in the patient's body temperature over the last hour
3. CTube displacement, disconnection or obstruction
4. DNormal variation that needs no action

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

1. ASpirometry
2. BA lumbar puncture
3. CAn abdominal ultrasound
4. DA 12-lead ECG