Nokea
Before administering digoxin to a client with valvular disease, the nurse assesses the apical heart rate as 62 beats/minute. The client's usual rate ranges between 66 to 72 beats/minute. Which is the best action for the nurse to take?
- A. Hold the digoxin.
- B. Recheck the apical pulse in 30 minutes.
- C. Administer the digoxin.
- D. Notify the physician.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A heart rate of 62 beats/minute falls within the normal range for administration of this drug. Holding the medication would not be recommended unless a specific prescription was detailed to do so. The nurse may decide to recheck the pulse but this is not required. Notifying the physician of normal findings is not efficient use of time or resources.
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A client with progressive mitral valve prolapse is experiencing sympathetic nervous system symptoms in addition to prolapse symptoms. Which teaching point should be stressed by the nurse to minimize these effects?
- A. Antibiotic therapy before invasive procedures
- B. Low-dose aspirin daily
- C. Avoid caffeine.
- D. Decrease fluid and sodium intake.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The symptoms associated with sympathetic nervous response (anxiety, agitation, nervousness, and palpitations) are often managed with antianxiety medications and advisement to avoid caffeine and over-the-counter medications that contain stimulants. Periodic antibiotic therapy use before an invasive procedure is not associated with sympathetic nervous system symptoms. Low-dose aspirin is used to prevent thrombus formation. Decreasing fluid and sodium intake is indicated for the control of congestive failure.
A client is being evaluated for mitral stenosis versus mitral insufficiency. Which of the following symptoms would the nurse find in either condition?
- A. Angina
- B. Syncope
- C. Murmur
- D. High blood pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mitral stenosis and mitral insufficiency both create regurgitation of blood back through the mitral valve which can be heard as a murmur. Angina and syncope are not common and would only be exhibited if decrease nourishment of the cardiac muscle and organs occur. Hypertension may be an underlying condition but not necessarily associated with both disorders.
Which symptom is most important in determining the diagnosis and nursing care for a client experiencing pulmonary hypertension?
- A. Increased stroke volume
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Frothy sputum
- D. High systolic pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tachycardia, low systolic pressure, and decreased stroke volume are symptoms associated with pulmonary hypertension. A productive cough with pink-tinged frothy sputum can indicate progression of the disorder and need for treatment.
The nurse collects data for a client who is diagnosed with mitral stenosis with a murmur. In which position does the nurse place the client to auscultate the documented murmur?
- A. Prone
- B. Supine
- C. Left lateral
- D. Right lateral
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Changes in heart sounds may be the earliest indication of mitral valve stenosis. S1 may be extremely loud if the cusps are fused or muffled or absent if the cusps have calcified and are immobile. A murmur, described as sounding like a rumbling underground train, can be heard at the heart's apex, especially when the client assumes a left lateral position. The other positions are not supported by evidence-based practice guidelines as appropriate positions in which to place the client to monitor a murmur.
What disease process is mitral regurgitation associated with?
- A. Aortic stenosis
- B. Cellulitis
- C. Pulmonary fibrosis
- D. Rheumatic carditis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mitral regurgitation is associated with rheumatic carditis and mitral valve prolapse. It is not associated with aortic stenosis, cellulitis, or pulmonary fibrosis. Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve, not related to the mitral valve. Cellulitis is inflammation in tissue, and pulmonary fibrosis is a scarring in the tissue of the lung.