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A cardiovascular patient with a previous history of pulmonary embolism (PE) is experiencing a sudden onset of dyspnea, rapid breathing, and chest pain. The nurse recognizes the characteristic signs and symptoms of a PE. What is the nurses best action?
- A. Rapidly assess the patients cardiopulmonary status
- B. Arrange for an ECG
- C. Increase the height of the patients bed
- D. Manage the patients anxiety
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patient management in the event of a PE begins with cardiopulmonary assessment and intervention. This is a priority over ECG monitoring, management of anxiety, or repositioning of the patient, even though each of these actions may be appropriate and necessary.
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The nurse is caring for an adult patient with HF who is prescribed digoxin. When assessing the patient for adverse effects, the nurse should assess for which of the following signs and symptoms?
- A. Confusion and bradycardia
- B. Uncontrolled diuresis and tachycardia
- C. Numbness and tingling in the extremities
- D. Chest pain and shortness of breath
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A key concern associated with digitalis therapy is digitalis toxicity. Symptoms include anorexia, nausea, visual disturbances, confusion, and bradycardia. The other listed signs and symptoms are not characteristic of digitalis toxicity.
A patient presents to the ED complaining of increasing shortness of breath. The nurse assessing the patient notes a history of left-sided HF. The patient is agitated and occasionally coughing up pink-tinged, foamy sputum. The nurse should recognize the signs and symptoms of what health problem?
- A. Right-sided heart failure
- B. Acute pulmonary edema
- C. Pneumonia
- D. Cardiogenic shock
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Because of decreased contractility and increased fluid volume and pressure in patients with HF, fluid may be driven from the pulmonary capillary beds into the alveoli, causing pulmonary edema and signs and symptoms described. In right-sided heart failure, the patient exhibits hepatomegaly, jugular vein distention, and peripheral edema. In pneumonia, the patient would have a temperature spike, and sputum that varies in color. Cardiogenic shock would show signs of hypotension and tachycardia.
A patient who is at high risk for developing intracardiac thrombi has been placed on long-term anticoagulation. What aspect of the patients health history creates a heightened risk of intracardiac thrombi?
- A. Atrial fibrillation
- B. Infective endocarditis
- C. Recurrent pneumonia
- D. Recent surgery
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intracardiac thrombi are especially common in patients with atrial fibrillation, because the atria do not contract forcefully and blood flows slowly and turbulently, increasing the likelihood of thrombus formation. Endocarditis, pneumonia, and recent surgery do not normally cause an increased risk for intracardiac thrombi formation.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation has been initiated on a patient who was found unresponsive. When performing chest compressions, the nurse should do which of the following?
- A. Perform at least 100 chest compressions per minute
- B. Pause to allow a colleague to provide a breath every 10 compressions
- C. Pause chest compressions to allow for vital signs monitoring every 4 to 5 minutes
- D. Perform high-quality chest compressions as rapidly as possible
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: During CPR, the chest is compressed 2 inches at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute. This rate is the resuscitators goal; the aim is not to give compressions as rapidly as possible. Compressions are not stopped after 10 compressions to allow for a breath or for full vital signs monitoring.
The nurse is assessing a patient who is known to have right-sided HF. What assessment finding is most consistent with this patients diagnosis?
- A. Pulmonary edema
- B. Distended neck veins
- C. Dry cough
- D. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Right-sided HF may manifest by distended neck veins, dependent edema, hepatomegaly, weight gain, ascites, anorexia, nausea, nocturia, and weakness. The other answers do not apply.