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A patient with chronic heart failure is treated with hydrochlorothiazide, digoxin, and lisinopril. To prevent the risk of digitalis toxicity with these drugs, it is most important that the nurse monitor the patient's
- A. HR
- B. BP
- C. Potassium levels
- D. GI function
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia is one of the most common causes of digitalis toxicity. When a patient is receiving potassium losing diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide, it is essential to monitor the potassium level.
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A patient with cardiogenic shock receives a nursing diagnosis of decreased cardiac output. With the appropriate interventions, the anticipated outcome is for the patient to achieve:
- A. baseline activity level.
- B. baseline cardiac function.
- C. decreased afterload.
- D. reduced anxiety.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Restoring baseline cardiac function is the goal in managing decreased cardiac output.
Which disease is characterized by the damage to the alveoli in the lungs, leading to breathlessness?
- A. Emphysema
- B. Pulmonary fibrosis
- C. Lung cancer
- D. Lung abscess
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Emphysema. This disease is characterized by the destruction of alveoli, leading to breathlessness. Emphysema is typically caused by smoking, resulting in the breakdown of lung tissue and reduced oxygen exchange. Pulmonary fibrosis (B) involves scarring of lung tissue, not alveolar damage. Lung cancer (C) is characterized by the growth of abnormal cells in the lung, not alveolar destruction. Lung abscess (D) is a localized infection in the lung, not related to alveolar damage causing breathlessness.
What is a blood clot that forms in a vein, often in the legs, and can cause serious complications if it travels to the lungs?
- A. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- B. Pulmonary embolism
- C. Varicose veins
- D. Atherosclerosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, commonly in the legs. It can lead to serious complications if the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Varicose veins (C) are enlarged, twisted veins near the surface of the skin, not involving deep veins. Atherosclerosis (D) is the build-up of plaque in arteries, not related to vein clot formation. Pulmonary embolism (B) is a complication of DVT, not the initial clot formation in a vein.
What diagnostic procedure uses sound waves to create images of the heart and assess its structure and function?
- A. Echocardiogram
- B. MRI
- C. CT scan
- D. X-ray
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Echocardiogram. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of the heart, providing detailed information about its structure and function in real-time. This procedure is non-invasive, safe, and commonly used to diagnose heart conditions such as valve abnormalities, heart size, and blood flow. It allows visualization of the heart chambers, valves, and blood vessels. MRI (B) and CT scan (C) use different imaging techniques and are not specifically designed to assess the heart's structure and function. X-ray (D) provides limited information about the heart compared to an echocardiogram.
The healthcare provider is administering IV nitroglycerin to a patient for chest pain. What is the most critical parameter to monitor?
- A. Heart rate
- B. Blood pressure
- C. Oxygen saturation
- D. Respiratory rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Blood pressure. When administering IV nitroglycerin for chest pain, monitoring blood pressure is critical due to its vasodilatory effect, which can cause hypotension. Monitoring blood pressure helps prevent potential adverse effects like hypotension-related symptoms or complications. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate are also important parameters to monitor, but blood pressure takes precedence in this scenario due to the potential for significant hemodynamic changes.