A client, admitted to the hospital for evaluation of recurrent runs of ventricular tachycardia, is scheduled for electrophysiology studies (EPS). Which statement should the nurse include in a teaching plan for this client?
- A. You will continue to take your medications until the morning of the test.
- B. You will be sedated during the procedure and will not remember what has happened.
- C. This test is a noninvasive method of determining the effectiveness of your medication regimen.
- D. The test uses a special wire to increase the heart rate and produce the irregular beats that cause your signs and symptoms.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The purpose of EPS is to study the heart's electrical system. During this invasive procedure, a special wire is introduced into the heart to produce dysrhythmias. To prepare for this procedure, the client should be NPO for 6 to 8 hours before the test, and all antidysrhythmics are held for at least 24 hours before the test to study the dysrhythmias without the influence of medications. Because the client's verbal responses to the rhythm changes are extremely important, sedation is avoided if possible.
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The nurse is teaching a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) how to do pursed-lip breathing. Evaluation of understanding is evident if the client performs which action?
- A. Breathes in and then holds the breath for 30 seconds
- B. Loosens the abdominal muscles while breathing out
- C. Inhales with puckered lips and exhales with the mouth open wide
- D. Breathes so that expiration is two to three times as long as inspiration
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: COPD is a disease state characterized by airflow obstruction. Prolonging expiration time reduces air trapping caused by airway narrowing that occurs in COPD. The client is not instructed to breathe in and hold the breath for 30 seconds; this action has no useful purpose for the client with COPD. Tightening (not loosening) the abdominal muscles aids in expelling air. Exhaling through pursed lips (not with the mouth wide open) increases the intraluminal pressure and prevents the airways from collapsing.
The nurse is assessing a pregnant client with a diagnosis of abruptio placentae. Which manifestations of this condition should the nurse expect to note? Select all that apply.
- A. Uterine irritability
- B. Uterine tenderness
- C. Painless vaginal bleeding
- D. Abdominal and low back pain
- E. Strong and frequent contractions
- F. Nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns
Correct Answer: A,B,D,F
Rationale: Placental abruption, also referred to as abruptio placentae, is the separation of a normally implanted placenta before the fetus is born. It occurs when there is bleeding and formation of a hematoma on the maternal side of the placenta. Manifestations include uterine irritability with frequent low-intensity contractions, uterine tenderness that may be localized to the site of the abruption, aching and dull abdominal and low back pain, painful vaginal bleeding, and a high uterine resting tone identified by the use of an intrauterine pressure catheter. Additional signs include nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns, signs of hypovolemic shock, and fetal death. Painless vaginal bleeding is a sign of placenta previa.
A client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is prescribed intravenous (IV) pentamidine. What intervention should the nurse plan to implement to safely administer the medication?
- A. Infuse over 1 hour and allow the client to ambulate.
- B. Infuse over 1 hour with the client in a supine position.
- C. Administer over 30 minutes with the client in a reclining position.
- D. Administer by IV push over 15 minutes with the client in a supine position.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: IV pentamidine is an antifungal medication infused over 1 hour with the client supine to minimize severe hypotension and dysrhythmias. Options 1, 3, and 4 are inaccurate in either the length of time that pentamidine is administered or the client's position.
The nurse is performing an assessment on a postterm infant. Which physical characteristic should the nurse expect to observe in this infant?
- A. Peeling of the skin
- B. Smooth soles without creases
- C. Lanugo covering the entire body
- D. Vernix that covers the body in a thick layer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The postterm infant (born after the 42nd week of gestation) exhibits dry, peeling, cracked, almost leather-like skin over the body, which is called desquamation. The preterm infant (born between 24 and 37 weeks of gestation) exhibits smooth soles without creases, lanugo covering the entire body, and thick vernix covering the body.
A client experiencing difficulty breathing and increased pulmonary congestion was prescribed furosemide 40 mg to be given intravenously. After an hour which assessment value indicates that the therapy has been effective?
- A. The lungs are now clear upon auscultation.
- B. The urine output has increased by 400 mL.
- C. The blood pressure has decreased from 118/64 mm Hg to 106/62 mm Hg.
- D. The serum potassium has decreased from 4.7 mEq to 4.1 mEq (4.7 mmol/L to 4.1 mmol/L).
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a diuretic. In this situation, it was given to decrease preload and reduce the pulmonary congestion and associated difficulty in breathing. Although all options may occur, option 1 is the reason that the furosemide was administered.