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 who is being treated for acute heart failure has the following vital signs: blood pressure (BP), 85/50 mm Hg; pulse, 96 beats per minute; respirations, 26 breaths per minute. The primary health care provider prescribes digoxin. To evaluate a therapeutic response to this medication, which changes in the client's vital signs should the nurse expect?
- A. BP 85/50 mm Hg, pulse 60 beats per minute, respirations 26 breaths per minute
- B. BP 98/60 mm Hg, pulse 80 beats per minute, respirations 24 breaths per minute
- C. BP 130/70 mm Hg, pulse 104 beats per minute, respirations 20 breaths per minute
- D. BP 110/40 mm Hg, pulse 110 beats per minute, respirations 20 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The main function of digoxin is inotropic. It produces increased myocardial contractility that is associated with an increased cardiac output. This causes a rise in the BP in a client with heart failure. Digoxin also has a negative chronotropic effect (decreases heart rate) and will therefore cause a slowing of the heart rate. As cardiac output improves, there should be an improvement in respirations as well. The remaining choices do not reflect the physiological changes attributed to this medication.
The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an adrenalectomy. The nurse plans to administer which medication in the preoperative period to prevent Addisonian crisis?
- A. Prednisone orally
- B. Fludrocortisone orally
- C. Spironolactone intramuscularly
- D. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate intravenously
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A glucocorticoid preparation will be administered intravenously or intramuscularly in the immediate preoperative period to a client scheduled for an adrenalectomy. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate protects the client from developing acute adrenal insufficiency (Addisonian crisis) that can occur as a result of the adrenalectomy. Prednisone is an oral corticosteroid. Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic.
A prenatal client is being evaluated for possible gestational diabetes. Which data identified and documented after the client's initial nursing assessment would support that diagnosis?
- A. 22 years old
- B. A gravida 4, para 0, aborta 3
- C. 5^{\prime} 6^{\prime \prime tall, weighs 130 pounds
- D. Stated, 'I get really tired after working all day'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A history of unexplained stillbirths or miscarriages puts the client at high risk for gestational diabetes. Fatigue is a normal occurrence during pregnancy. The client's height (5'6†tall) and weight (130 pounds) do not meet the criteria of 20% over ideal weight. Therefore, the client is not obese, a possible factor related to gestational diabetes. To be at high risk for gestational diabetes, the maternal age should be greater than 25 years.
The nurse is planning care for a client with a chest tube attached to a Pleur-Evac drainage system. The nurse should include which interventions in the plan? Select all that apply.
- A. Changing the client's position often
- B. Clamping the chest tube intermittently
- C. Maintaining the collection chamber below the client's waist
- D. Adding water to the suction control chamber as it evaporates
- E. Taping the connection between the chest tube and the drainage system
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Changing the client's position frequently is necessary to promote drainage and ventilation. Maintaining the system below waist level is indicated to prevent fluid from reentering the pleural space. Adding water to the suction control chamber is an appropriate nursing action and is done as needed to maintain the full suction level prescribed. Taping the connection between the chest tube and system is also indicated to prevent accidental disconnection. To prevent a tension pneumothorax, the nurse avoids clamping the chest tube, unless specifically prescribed. In many facilities, clamping of the chest tube is contraindicated by agency policy.
The nurse is preparing to administer eardrops to an infant. The nurse should plan to proceed by taking which step to assure the appropriate instillation of the medication?
- A. Pull down and back on the auricle, and direct the solution onto the eardrum.
- B. Pull up and back on the earlobe, and direct the solution toward the wall of the ear canal.
- C. Pull up and back on the auricle, and direct the solution toward the wall of the ear canal.
- D. Pull down and back on the auricle, and direct the solution toward the wall of the ear canal.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The infant should be turned on the side with the affected ear uppermost. With the nondominant hand, the nurse pulls down and back on the auricle. The wrist of the dominant hand is rested on the infant's head. The medication is administered by aiming it at the wall of the ear canal rather than directly onto the eardrum. The infant should be held or positioned with the affected ear uppermost for 10 to 15 minutes to retain the solution. In the adult, the auricle is pulled up and back to straighten the auditory canal.