A nurse is preparing a patient for scheduled transesophageal echocardiography. What action should the nurse perform?
- A. Instruct the patient to drink 1 liter of water before the test
- B. Administer IV benzodiazepines and opioids
- C. Inform the patient that she will remain on bed rest following the procedure
- D. Inform the patient that an access line will be initiated in her femoral artery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During the recovery period, the patient must maintain bed rest with the head of the bed elevated to 45 degrees. The patient must be NPO 6 hours preprocedure. The patient is sedated to make him or her comfortable, but will not be heavily sedated, and opioids are not necessary. Also, the patient will have a peripheral IV line initiated preprocedure.
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A resident of a long-term care facility has complained to the nurse of chest pain. What aspect of the residents pain would be most suggestive of angina as the cause?
- A. The pain is worse when the resident inhales deeply
- B. The pain occurs immediately following physical exertion
- C. The pain is worse when the resident coughs
- D. The pain is most severe when the resident moves his upper body
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chest pain associated with angina is often precipitated by physical exertion. The other listed aspects of chest pain are more closely associated with noncardiac etiologies.
The critical care nurse is caring for a patient with a central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring system. The nurse notes that the patients CVP is increasing. Of what may this indicate?
- A. Psychosocial stress
- B. Hypervolemia
- C. Dislodgment of the catheter
- D. Hypomagnesemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CVP is a useful hemodynamic parameter to observe when managing an unstable patients fluid volume status. An increasing pressure may be caused by hypervolemia or by a condition, such as heart failure, that results in decreased myocardial contractility. Stress, dislodgement of the catheter, and low magnesium levels would not typically result in increased CVP.
The nurse is doing discharge teaching with a patient who has coronary artery disease. The patient asks why he has to take an aspirin every day if he doesnt have any pain. What would be the nurses best response?
- A. Taking an aspirin every day is an easy way to help restore the normal function of your heart
- B. An aspirin a day can help prevent some of the blockages that can cause chest pain or heart attacks
- C. Taking an aspirin every day is a simple way to make your blood penetrate your heart more freely
- D. An aspirin a day eventually helps your blood carry more oxygen that it would otherwise
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An aspirin a day is a common nonprescription medication that improves outcomes in patients with CAD due to its antiplatelet action. It does not affect oxygen carrying capacity or perfusion. Aspirin does not restore cardiac function.
A critically ill patient is admitted to the ICU. The physician decides to use intra-arterial pressure monitoring. After this intervention is performed, what assessment should the nurse prioritize in the plan of care?
- A. Fluctuations in core body temperature
- B. Signs and symptoms of esophageal varices
- C. Signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome
- D. Perfusion distal to the insertion site
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The radial artery is the usual site selected. However, placement of a catheter into the radial artery can further impede perfusion to an area that has poor circulation. As a result, the tissue distal to the cannulated artery can become ischemic or necrotic. Vigilant assessment is thus necessary. Alterations in temperature and the development of esophageal varices or compartment syndrome are not high risks.
The student nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a patient being discharged status post MI. What should the student include in the teaching plan? (Mark all that apply.)
- A. Need for careful monitoring for cardiac symptoms
- B. Need for carefully regulated exercise
- C. Need for dietary modifications
- D. Need for early resumption of prediagnosis activity
- E. Need for increased fluid intake
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: Dietary modifications, exercise, weight loss, and careful monitoring are important strategies for managing three major cardiovascular risk factors: hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. There is no need to increase fluid intake and activity should be slowly and deliberately increased.
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