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 the correct first aid for an adult with a nosebleed?

  1. ALie flat on the back with the head turned to one side for an hour
  2. BSit forward and pinch the soft part of the nose for 10–15 minutes
  3. CTilt the head back and pinch the bony bridge of the nose firmly
  4. DBlow the nose hard to clear the clots
2.Easy

What does an SpO₂ reading measure?

  1. AThe percentage of haemoglobin carrying oxygen
  2. BThe total haemoglobin level
  3. CThe oxygen level in the brain
  4. DThe amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood
3.Easy

Which side effect is typical of ACE inhibitors such as ramipril or lisinopril?

  1. AA fast, irregular heart rate
  2. BSwelling of both ankles
  3. CA persistent dry cough
  4. DA productive cough with green sputum
4.Medium

During airway suctioning, when should suction be applied?

  1. AOnly while withdrawing the catheter
  2. BContinuously for at least 30 seconds
  3. CBefore the catheter enters the airway
  4. DOnly while inserting the catheter
5.Medium

Why should a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) never be used alone in asthma?

  1. AIt cannot be inhaled without a nebuliser
  2. BWithout an inhaled steroid, it is linked with severe and fatal attacks
  3. CIt always causes immediate severe bronchospasm when used on its own
  4. DIt works only when it is taken together with a course of antibiotics
6.Medium

A patient with COPD is prescribed long-term oxygen therapy. How many hours a day is it usually needed to improve survival?

  1. AAbout one hour each morning
  2. BAt least 15 hours a day
  3. COnly when walking outside
  4. DOnly during meals
7.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. AChronic respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation
  2. BAcute respiratory acidosis needing emergency intubation
  3. CRespiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation
  4. DA normal blood gas with no abnormality
8.Hard

After an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting that responded to adrenaline (epinephrine), a patient asks to go home immediately. Which advice is most appropriate?

  1. AStay for observation, then go home with an adrenaline auto-injector and teaching
  2. BGo home and take antihistamines only if the throat swells
  3. CStay in hospital for at least two weeks on daily intravenous antihistamines
  4. DGo home straight away, because anaphylaxis never recurs once adrenaline has worked

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Sit forward and pinch the soft part of the nose for 10–15 minutes
  2. 2. A · The percentage of haemoglobin carrying oxygen
  3. 3. C · A persistent dry cough
  4. 4. A · Only while withdrawing the catheter
  5. 5. B · Without an inhaled steroid, it is linked with severe and fatal attacks
  6. 6. B · At least 15 hours a day
  7. 7. A · Chronic respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation
  8. 8. A · Stay for observation, then go home with an adrenaline auto-injector and teaching

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