A client has developed atrial fibrillation resulting in a ventricular rate of 150 beats per minute. The nurse should assess the client for which effects of this cardiac occurrence? Select all that apply.
- A. Dyspnea
- B. Flat neck veins
- C. Nausea and vomiting
- D. Chest pain or discomfort
- E. Hypotension and dizziness
- F. Hypertension and headache
Correct Answer: A,D,E
Rationale: The client with uncontrolled atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate over 100 beats per minute is at risk for low cardiac output caused by loss of atrial kick. The nurse should assess the client for palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, hypotension, pulse deficit, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, syncope, shortness of breath, and distended neck veins. Neither headache nor nausea and vomiting are associated with the effects of uncontrolled atrial fibrillation.
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A client is admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of Graves' disease. On assessment, which manifestation related to the client's menstrual cycle should the nurse expect the client to report?
- A. Amenorrhea
- B. Menorrhagia
- C. Metrorrhagia
- D. Dysmenorrhea
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Amenorrhea or a decreased menstrual flow is common in the client with Graves' disease. Menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, and dysmenorrhea are also disorders related to the female reproductive system; however, they do not manifest in the presence of Graves' disease.
The nurse creates a discharge plan for a client who had an abdominal hysterectomy. Which activity instructions should the nurse include in the plan? Select all that apply.
- A. Avoid heavy lifting.
- B. Sit as much as possible.
- C. Take baths rather than showers.
- D. Limit stair climbing to five times a day.
- E. Gradually increase walking as exercise but stop before becoming fatigued.
- F. Avoid jogging, aerobic exercises, sports, or any strenuous exercise for 6 weeks.
Correct Answer: A,D,E,F
Rationale: After abdominal hysterectomy, the client should avoid lifting anything that is heavy and limit stair climbing to five times a day. The client should walk indoors for the first week and then gradually increase walking as exercise, but stop before becoming fatigued. The client should avoid jogging, aerobic exercises, sports, or any strenuous exercise for 6 weeks. The client is also told to avoid the sitting position for extended periods, to take showers rather than tub baths, avoid crossing the legs at the knees, and avoid driving for at least 4 weeks or until the surgeon has given permission to do so.
Which observation by the nurse indicates a need to suction a client with an endotracheal (ET) tube attached to a mechanical ventilator? Select all that apply.
- A. Audible crackles
- B. Client notably restless
- C. Visible mucus bubbling in the ET tube
- D. Apical pulse rate of 72 beats per minute
- E. Low peak inspiratory pressure on the ventilator
- F. High alarm pressures identified by the ventilator
Correct Answer: A,B,C,F
Rationale: Indications for suctioning include visible mucus bubbling in the ET tube, wet respirations, restlessness, rhonchi or crackles on auscultation of the lungs, increased pulse and respiratory rates, and increased peak inspiratory pressures on the ventilator and high-pressure alarms on the ventilator. A low peak inspiratory pressure indicates a leak in the mechanical ventilation system.
When a client's nasogastric (NG) tube stops draining, which intervention should the nurse implement to maintain client safety?
- A. Instill 10 to 20 mL of fluid to dislodge any clots.
- B. Verify the tube placement according to agency procedure.
- C. Clamp the tube for 2 hours to allow the drainage to accumulate.
- D. Retract the tube by 2 inches to be above and possible obstruction.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If a client's nasogastric tube stops draining, the nurse verifies placement first to ensure that the tube remains in the stomach. After checking placement and verifying a prescription for tube irrigation, the nurse irrigates the tube with 30 to 60 mL of the fluid per agency procedure. Clamping the tube increases the risk of aspiration and is contraindicated; besides, this intervention cannot unclog a tube. Retracting the tube may displace the tube and place the client at risk for aspiration.
The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who is receiving torsemide 5 mg orally daily. What value should indicate to the nurse that the client might be experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?
- A. A chloride level of 98 mEq/L (98 mmol/L)
- B. A sodium level of 135 mEq/L (135 mmol/L)
- C. A potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L (3.1 mmol/L)
- D. A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 15 mg/dL (5.4 mmol/L)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Torsemide is a loop diuretic. The medication can produce acute, profound water loss; volume and electrolyte depletion; dehydration; decreased blood volume; and circulatory collapse. Option 3 is the only option that indicates electrolyte depletion because the normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L). The normal chloride level is 98 to 107 mEq/L (98 to 107 mmol/L). The normal sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L (135 to 145 mmol/L). The normal BUN level ranges from 10 to 20 mg/dL (3.6 to 7.1 mmol/L).
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