Nokea
A nurse caring for a client who has had cardiac surgery must understand how pulmonary artery pressure is monitored. What is important about pulmonary artery pressure?
- A. Aids in early treatment of right-sided congestive heart failure
- B. Aids in the early treatment of fluid imbalances
- C. Assesses right-sided heart pressures
- D. Assesses left atrial heart pressures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pulmonary artery pressure monitoring aids in the early treatment of fluid imbalances, prevents left-sided congestive heart failure or promotes its early correction, and helps monitor the client's response to treatment. The other options are incorrect. The measurement of pulmonary artery pressure does not assess right-sided heart pressures or left atrial pressure.
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The nurse is caring for a client who has had cardiothoracic surgery, and the nurse is palpating the peripheral pulses. The nurse cannot palpate the left lower extremity pulse. What is the first action by the nurse?
- A. Call the physician.
- B. Call the charge nurse.
- C. Apply a vasodilator such as nitroglycerin cream on the skin surface and then palpate.
- D. Use a Doppler ultrasound device.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Palpate the peripheral pulses or use a Doppler ultrasound device if the pulses are not palpable. Prior to calling the physician or notifying the charge nurse, attempt to use the Doppler, and then, if no pulse is heard, the nurse may notify either. Administration of medications without a physician's prescription is contraindicated.
A client is diagnosed with obstructive atherosclerotic plaque of the left carotid artery. What procedure does the nurse anticipate preparing the client for?
- A. Endarterectomy
- B. Thrombectomy
- C. Embolectomy
- D. Coronary artery bypass graft
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Endarterectomy is the resection and removal of the lining of an artery. This type of surgery is performed to remove obstructive atherosclerotic plaques from the aorta, carotid, femoral, or popliteal arteries. A thrombectomy is used to remove a thrombus for a vessel. An embolectomy is the removal of an embolus. Coronary artery bypass grafting is not indicated for the removal of an atherosclerotic plaque.
The nurse listens to the lung sounds of a postoperative client and determines that the client is not able to clear the secretions from the lungs. What intervention should the nurse provide prior to suctioning?
- A. Hyperoxygenate the client with $100% oxygen.
- B. Place the client in the supine position.
- C. Plan to suction for at least 20 seconds to remove secretions.
- D. Administer a sedative prior to suctioning.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperoxygenate with $100% oxygen before suctioning; do not suction for more than 10 to 15 seconds. Suctioning removes oxygen and can cause hypoxemia, myocardial ischemia, and dysrhythmias. Hyperoxygenation saturates the blood and hemoglobin to compensate for temporary removal during suctioning. Elevate the head of the bed; don't place the client in the supine position. Administering a sedative may cause respiratory depression and should be avoided prior to suctioning so the cough reflex will not be depressed.
The client presents to the Emergency Department with blunt trauma causing bruising and bleeding of the heart. The nurse knows that which of the following may help stop the bleeding?
- A. Embolectomy
- B. Pericardiocentesis
- C. Thoracentesis
- D. Inactivity and pressure from blood in the pericardium
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The inactivity and increased pressure from blood in the pericardium may stop the bleeding. The client may need to have the blood aspirated from the pericardial sac, in which case pericardiocentesis is performed. One aspiration is sufficient in most cases, but if bleeding continues, open thoracotomy is indicated to control blood loss. Procedures to stop the bleeding caused by heart trauma do not include embolectomy or thoracentesis. Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium.
A client has been admitted for a commissurotomy. The nurse knows that a commissurotomy repairs which of the following?
- A. A ventricle
- B. A valve
- C. Part of the myocardium
- D. An artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heart valves need surgical repair or replacement if they become narrowed (stenosed) or stretched (incompetent). One method of repair is commissurotomy (opening adhesions in the valve cusps), which is done without direct visualization of the valve.