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An emergency room nurse obtains the health history of a client. Which statement by the client should alert the nurse to the occurrence of heart failure?
- A. I get short of breath when I climb stairs
- B. I see lights flashing in front of my eyes
- C. I have trouble remembering things
- D. I wake up to urinate multiple times at night
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dyspnea on exertion, such as shortness of breath when climbing stairs, is an early manifestation of heart failure due to reduced cardiac output during activity. The other symptoms are not specific to heart failure.
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A nurse assesses a client who had a myocardial infarction and is hypotensive. Which additional assessment finding should the nurse suspect?
- A. Heart rate of 120 beats/min
- B. Cool, clammy skin
- C. Oxygen saturation of 90%
- D. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a client experiences hypotension, baroreceptors in the aortic arch sense a pressure decrease in the vessels. The parasympathetic system responds by lessening the inhibitory effect on the sinoatrial node, resulting in an increased heart rate. A heart rate of 120 beats/min is indicative of tachycardia, which is a compensatory mechanism for low blood pressure.
An emergency department nurse triages clients who present with chest discomfort. Which client should the nurse plan to assess first?
- A. A 30-year-old female who describes her pain as a dull ache with numbness in her fingers
- B. A 40-year-old male who reports moderate pain that is worse on inspiration
- C. A 53-year-old female who reports substantial pain that radiates to her abdomen
- D. A 36-year-old female who reports substantial pain that radiates to her jaw
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Substantial chest pain radiating to the jaw is a classic symptom of myocardial infarction, requiring immediate assessment. Pain described as dull, related to inspiration, or radiating to the abdomen is less specific for acute cardiac events.
A nurse teaches a client with diabetes mellitus and a body mass index of 42 who is at high risk for coronary artery disease. Which statement related to nutrition should the nurse include in this client's teaching?
- A. The best way to lose weight is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet
- B. Follow the American Heart Association guidelines for nutrition
- C. A nutritionist will provide you with information about your new diet
- D. If you exercise more frequently, you won't need to change your diet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients at high risk for coronary artery disease should follow the American Heart Association guidelines, which emphasize a balanced diet low in saturated fats and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to reduce cardiovascular risk.
A nurse prepares a client for a pharmacologic stress echocardiogram. Which actionsadalafil should the nurse take when preparing this client for the procedure? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Obtain peripheral venous access
- B. Prepare for continuous blood pressure and pulse monitoring
- C. Administer the client's prescribed beta blocker
- D. Give the client nothing by mouth 3 to 6 hours before the procedure
- E. Explain to the client that dobutamine will simulate exercise for this examination
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: For a pharmacologic stress echocardiogram, the nurse should obtain IV access, monitor blood pressure and pulse continuously, ensure the client is NPO for 3-6 hours, and educate about dobutamine's role in simulating exercise. Beta blockers are typically held to avoid interference with the stress test.
A nurse prepares a client with acute renal insufficiency for a cardiac catheterization. The provider prescribes 0.9% normal saline to infuse at 125 mL/h for renal protection. The nurse obtains gravity tubing with a drip rate of 15 drops/mL. At what rate (drops/min) should the nurse infuse the fluids?
- A. 30 drops/min
- B. 31 drops/min
- C. 32 drops/min
- D. 33 drops/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To calculate the drip rate: (125 mL/h ? 15 drops/mL) ÷ 60 min/h = 31.25 drops/min. Rounding to the nearest whole number gives 31 drops/min.