🫀 Plaque Attack!
What builds up within arterial walls during atherosclerosis?
Answer: plaque
Rationale: Atherosclerosis involves plaque formation in arterial walls.
What type of hypertension has no identifiable underlying disease?
Answer: primary hypertension
Rationale: Primary hypertension is the most common type.
What term describes shortness of breath that worsens when lying flat?
Answer: orthopnea
Rationale: It is associated with pulmonary congestion in left-sided HF.
Which rhythm originates in the sinus node and has a usual rate of 60–100 beats/min?
Answer: normal sinus rhythm
Rationale: Sinus rhythm follows the normal conduction pathway.
Which serious complication does apixaban help prevent in a patient with atrial fibrillation?
Answer: thromboembolic stroke
Rationale: Anticoagulation lowers clot-related stroke risk in appropriate patients.
Which medication class lowers LDL cholesterol and helps manage atherosclerotic risk?
Answer: statins
Rationale: Lovastatin and simvastatin are examples of statins used to lower cholesterol.
What type of hypertension develops because of another condition, such as kidney disease?
Answer: secondary hypertension
Rationale: Secondary hypertension has an identifiable underlying cause.
Which medication class helps remove excess fluid in heart failure?
Answer: diuretics
Rationale: Furosemide is an example used in HF care.
Which sinus rhythm has a heart rate below 60 beats/min?
Answer: sinus bradycardia
Rationale: Evaluate symptoms and perfusion, not rate alone.
Why might metoprolol be prescribed for atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular rate?
Answer: ventricular rate control
Rationale: Slowing the rate can support ventricular filling and perfusion.
Which blood lipid is a major target of cholesterol-lowering therapy?
Answer: LDL cholesterol
Rationale: Lowering LDL is a major goal of lipid management.
What should a patient regularly measure and record at home to evaluate hypertension management?
Answer: regularly checking and recording blood pressure
Rationale: Ongoing BP measurements help evaluate long-term management.
Which daily measurement helps detect fluid retention in a patient with chronic heart failure?
Answer: daily weights
Rationale: Weight trends are important for detecting fluid changes.
Which sinus rhythm has a heart rate above 100 beats/min?
Answer: sinus tachycardia
Rationale: Assess for and address the underlying cause.
Which two vital signs should the nurse assess before giving a beta blocker?
Answer: heart rate and blood pressure
Rationale: Beta blockers can reduce both pulse and BP.
Which modifiable behavior increases vascular disease risk?
Answer: tobacco use or smoking
Rationale: Smoking cessation is a key vascular health intervention.
Which potentially dangerous swelling reaction should the nurse watch for in a patient taking an ACE inhibitor?
Answer: angioedema
Rationale: Angioedema requires prompt recognition and intervention.
Which type of heart failure is more closely associated with pulmonary crackles and congestion?
Answer: left-sided heart failure
Rationale: Left ventricular failure increases pulmonary vascular pressure.
Which atrial dysrhythmia has no distinct P waves and an irregular ventricular response?
Answer: atrial fibrillation
Rationale: Disorganized atrial activity produces an irregular response.
A patient with heart failure has worsening dyspnea and new crackles. What complication should the nurse suspect?
Answer: worsening pulmonary congestion or fluid overload
Rationale: These findings can indicate HF exacerbation.
Why is cholesterol management important even when a patient has no symptoms?
Answer: reduced arterial perfusion from progressive atherosclerosis
Rationale: Plaque can narrow arteries and contribute to coronary and cerebrovascular disease.
Name one major organ complication of a hypertensive crisis.
Answer: stroke, kidney failure, or left ventricular heart failure
Rationale: Severely elevated BP can damage the brain, kidneys, and heart.
Which electrolyte can increase in a patient taking spironolactone?
Answer: potassium
Rationale: Potassium-sparing aldosterone antagonists may cause hyperkalemia.
Which atrial dysrhythmia has characteristic sawtooth waves?
Answer: atrial flutter
Rationale: Atrial flutter has organized rapid atrial activity.
A patient with a dysrhythmia becomes hypotensive and confused. What important physiologic problem do these findings suggest?
Answer: perfusion
Rationale: Hemodynamic symptoms signal possible reduced cardiac output and require prompt assessment.