Defibrillation is used immediately in cases of ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. The reason for this is to
- A. completely depolarize all myocardial cells simultaneously
- B. decrease ventricular irritability
- C. increase ventricular irritability
- D. increase amplitude of the QRS complexes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Synchronized depolarization restores normal rhythm.
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The client on amiodarone develops pulmonary fibrosis. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- B. Continue the medication and monitor lung function.
- C. Discontinue the medication and start oxygen therapy.
- D. Reduce the dose and monitor respiratory status.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious side effect of amiodarone.
2. Immediate notification of the healthcare provider is necessary to address this potentially life-threatening complication.
3. The healthcare provider will need to evaluate the client's condition, consider alternative treatments, and adjust the care plan accordingly.
Summary of incorrect choices:
B. Continuing the medication without intervention can worsen the pulmonary fibrosis.
C. Discontinuing the medication is necessary, but oxygen therapy alone may not address the underlying issue.
D. Reducing the dose may not be sufficient to manage the pulmonary fibrosis and delaying provider notification can lead to further complications.
A client is admitted to the hospital with a dysrhythmia. Which of the following is the most common cause of dysrhythmias?
- A. Hypothermia
- B. Metabolic acidosis
- C. Drug therapy
- D. Ischemic heart disease
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of dysrhythmias due to compromised blood flow to the heart muscle.
The nurse is caring for a heart client on digoxin and notes a potassium level of 2.5. What is the appropriate priority nursing intervention?
- A. Do nothing as this is a normal potassium level.
- B. The potassium level is low so the nurse asks for an order for potassium.
- C. The nurse asks to check the digoxin level as low potassium can increase digoxin toxicity.
- D. The nurse stops the digoxin.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because low potassium levels can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin and potassium have a reciprocal relationship, so low potassium levels can lead to digoxin toxicity. Checking the digoxin level is important to monitor for toxicity.
A is incorrect because a potassium level of 2.5 is low and requires intervention. B is not the appropriate action as giving potassium without checking the digoxin levels first can worsen toxicity. D is incorrect because abruptly stopping digoxin can be harmful and should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
High SVR is most likely to cause damage to which organ?
- A. Brain
- B. Heart
- C. Retina
- D. Kidney
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Elevated SVR strains renal arterioles, leading to kidney damage.
Which of the following conditions is identified by a P wave notch in the ECG of a client?
- A. Aortic stenosis
- B. Mitral regurgitation
- C. Aortic regurgitation
- D. Mitral stenosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A P wave notch on an ECG suggests mitral stenosis, indicating delayed conduction through the atria.