After receiving normal CXR results of the client who had cardiac surgery, the nurse proceeds to remove the client’s chest tubes as prescribed. Which intervention should be the nurse’s priority?
- A. Auscultate the client’s lung sounds
- B. Administer 2 mg morphine sulfate intravenously
- C. Turn off the suction to the chest drainage system
- D. Prepare the dressing supplies at the client’s bedside
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Because the peak action of morphine sulfate is 10 to 15 minutes, this should be administered first to manage pain during chest tube removal. Auscultation, turning off suction, and preparing supplies are secondary.
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The nurse is assessing the client with an 8-centimeter AAA. Which finding should the nurse expect?
- A. Report of persistent nagging pain in the upper anterior chest
- B. Systolic bruit palpated over the upper abdomen
- C. Edema of the face and neck with distended neck veins
- D. A pulsating mass in the mid to upper abdomen
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Throbbing or pulsating in the abdomen is the sign most indicative of an AAA. Chest pain, edema, and neck vein distention are associated with thoracic aneurysms, and a bruit is auscultated, not palpated.
The client calls for the nurse after experiencing sharp chest pains that radiate to the left shoulder. All of the following interventions were prescribed on admission for treating chest pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. STAT 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
- B. Oxygen 4 liters by nasal cannula
- C. Nitroglycerin 0.4 mg sublingual
- D. Morphine sulfate 2-4 mg IV prn
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen should be available in the room and should be initiated first to enhance oxygen flow to the myocardium. ECG, nitroglycerin, and morphine are important but secondary to improving oxygenation in acute chest pain.
The client asks the nurse what can be done to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with varicose veins. Which response by the nurse is best?
- A. “Dangle your legs off the side of the bed as often as possible to alleviate the pain.”
- B. “There isn’t much you can do about the pain except have surgery to remove the veins.”
- C. “You should wear long pants to hide bulging veins; this will help your self-confidence.”
- D. “Wear elastic stockings to promote venous return; these will also help reduce discomfort.”
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The best response to alleviate pain and discomfort associated with varicose veins includes application of elastic stockings and elevating the lower extremities. These promote venous return. Dangling legs, surgery as the only option, or wearing long pants do not address the pain effectively.
At 0745 hours, the nurse is informed by the HCP that a cardiac catheterization is to be completed on the client at 1400 hours. Which intervention should be the nurse’s priority?
- A. Place the client on NPO (nothing per mouth) status.
- B. Teach the client about the cardiac catheterization.
- C. Start an intravenous (IV) infusion of 0.9% NaCl.
- D. Witness the client’s signature on the consent form.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure requiring the client to lie still in a supine position. The client is usually sedated with medication, such as midazolam, during the procedure. To avoid aspiration, the client should be NPO 6 to 12 hours prior to the procedure, making this the priority at 0745 for a 1400 procedure.
The client with a left anterior descending (LAD) 90% blockage has crushing chest pain that is unrelieved by taking sublingual nitroglycerin. Which ECG finding is most concerning and should alert the nurse to immediately notify the HCP?
- A. Q waves
- B. Flipped T waves
- C. Peaked T waves
- D. ST segment elevation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should be most concerned about ST elevation because it indicates an evolving MI. Q waves suggest a previous MI, flipped T waves indicate ischemia, and peaked T waves may indicate hyperkalemia, but ST elevation is the most acute and critical finding.