NCLEX Questions: Myocardial Infarction

NCLEX Questions: Myocardial Infarction

& Heart Failure Which of the following actions is first priority of care for a client exhibiting signs & symptoms of coronary artery disease?

• Decrease anxiety
• Enhance myocardial oxygenation
• Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
• Educate the client about his symptoms - Answer- B. Enhance myocardial

oxygenation Enhancing myocardial oxygenation is always the first priority when a client exhibits signs or symptoms of cardiac compromise. Without adequate oxygenation, the myocardium suffers damage.Medical treatment of coronary artery disease includes which of the following procedures?

• Cardiac catheterization
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Oral medication therapy
• Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty - Answer- C. Oral medication

therapy Oral medication administration is a noninvasive, medical treatment for coronary artery disease.Cardiac catheterization is not a treatment, but a diagnostic tool.Which of the following is the most common symptom of myocardial infarction (MI)?

• Chest pain
• Dyspnea
• Edema
• Palpitations - Answer- A. Chest pain

The most common symptom of an MI is chest pain, resulting from deprivation of oxygen to the heart. This study source was downloaded by 100000897174347 from CourseHero.com on 03-10-2025 22:55:43 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/245701761/NCLEX-Questions-Myocardial-Infarction-Heart-Failuredocx/

Which of the following symptoms is the most likely origin of pain the client described as knifelike chest pain that increases in intensity with inspiration?

• Cardiac
• Gastrointestinal
• Musculoskeletal
• Pulmonary - Answer- D. Pulmonary

Pulmonary pain is generally described by these symptoms.Which of the following blood tests is most indicative of cardiac damage?

• Lactate dehydrogenase
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Troponin I
• Creatine kinase (CK) - Answer- C. Troponin I

Troponin I levels rise rapidly & are detectable within 1 hr of myocardial injury. Troponin I levels aren't detectable in people without cardiac injury.What is the primary reason for administering morphine to a client with an MI?

• To sedate the client
• To decrease the client's pain
• To decrease the client's anxiety
• To decrease oxygen demand on the client's heart - Answer- D. To decrease oxygen

demand on the client's heart Morphine is administered because it decreases myocardial oxygen demand.Which of the following conditions is most commonly responsible for myocardial infarction?

• Aneurysm
• Heart failure
• Coronary artery thrombosis
• Renal failure - Answer- C. Coronary artery thrombosis

Coronary artery thrombosis causes an inclusion of the artery, leading to myocardial death.Which of the following complications is indicated by a third heart sound (S3)?

• Ventricular dilation
• Systemic hypertension
• Aortic valve malfunction This study source was downloaded by 100000897174347 from CourseHero.com on 03-10-2025 22:55:43 GMT -05:00

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• Increased atrial contractions - Answer- A. Ventricular dilation

Rapid filling of the ventricle causes vasodilation that is auscultated as S3.After an anterior wall myocardial infarction, which of the following problems is indicated by auscultation of crackles in the lungs?

• Left-sided heart failure
• Pulmonic valve malfunction
• Right-sided heart failure
• Tricuspid valve malfunction - Answer- A. Left-sided heart failure

The left ventricle is responsible for most of the cardiac output. An anterior wall myocardial infarction may result in a decrease in left ventricular function.What is the first intervention for a client experiencing MI?

• Administer morphine
• Administer oxygen
• Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
• Obtain an ECG - Answer- B. Administer oxygen

Administering supplemental oxygen to the client is the first priority of care. The myocardium is deprived of oxygen during an infarction, so additional oxygen is administered to assist in oxygenation & prevent further damage.Which of the following classes of medications protects the ischemic myocardium by blocking catecholamines & sympathetic nerve stimulation?

• Beta-adrenergic blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Narcotics
• Nitrates - Answer- A. Beta-adrenergic blockers

Beta-adrenergic blockers work by blocking beta receptors in the myocardium, reducing the response of catecholamines & sympathetic nerve stimulation. They protect the myocardium, helping to reduce the risk of another infarction by decreasing myocardial oxygen demand.What is the most common complication of an MI?

• Cardiogenic shock
• Heart failure
• Arrhythmias
• Pericarditis - Answer- C. Arrhythmias This study source was downloaded by 100000897174347 from CourseHero.com on 03-10-2025 22:55:43 GMT -05:00

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Arrhythmias, caused by oxygen deprivation to the myocardium, are the most common complication of an MI.With which of the following disorders is jugular vein distention most prominent?

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Heart failure
• MI
• Pneumothorax - Answer- B. Heart failure

Elevated venous pressure, exhibited as jugular vein distention, indicates a failure of the heart to pump.Toxicity from which of the following medications may cause a client to see a green- yellow halo around lights?

• Digoxin
• Furosemide (Lasix)
• Metoprolol (Lopressor)
• Enalapril (Vasotec) - Answer- A. Digoxin

One of the most common signs of digoxin toxicity is the visual disturbance known as the "green-yellow halo sign" Which of the following symptoms is most commonly associated with left-sided heart failure?

• Crackles
• Arrhythmias
• Hepatic engorgement
• Hypotension - Answer- A. Crackles

Crackles in the lungs are a classic sign of left-sided heart failure. These sounds are caused by fluid backing up into the pulmonary system.In which of the following disorders would the nurse expect to assess sacral edema in a bedridden client?

• Diabetes
• Pulmonary emboli
• Renal failure
• Right sided heart failure - Answer- D. Right sided heart failure

The most accurate area on the body to assess dependent edema in a bedridden client is the sacral area. This study source was downloaded by 100000897174347 from CourseHero.com on 03-10-2025 22:55:43 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/245701761/NCLEX-Questions-Myocardial-Infarction-Heart-Failuredocx/