The nurse, assessing the client hospitalized following an MI, obtains these VS: BP 78/38 mm Hg, HR 128, RR 32. The nurse notifies the HCP concerned that the client may be experiencing which most life-threatening complication?
- A. Pulmonary embolism
- B. Cardiac tamponade
- C. Cardiomyopathy
- D. Cardiogenic shock
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The symptoms are indicative of cardiogenic shock (decreased cardiac output leading to inadequate tissue perfusion and initiation of the shock syndrome). Pulmonary embolism and tamponade could cause shock but are less likely post-MI, and cardiomyopathy is not an acute complication.
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The nurse is assessing the client who underwent repair of an aortic aneurysm with graft placement 30 minutes ago. The nurse is unable to palpate the posterior tibial pulse of one leg that was palpable 15 minutes earlier. What should be the nurse’s priority?
- A. Recheck the pulse in 5 minutes.
- B. Reposition the affected leg.
- C. Notify the surgeon of the finding.
- D. Document that the pulse is absent.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should notify the surgeon immediately to reassess the client. The loss of the pulse could signify graft occlusion or embolization. Rechecking, repositioning, or documenting delays critical intervention.
The client with symptoms of intermittent claudication receives treatment with a peripheral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedure with placement of an endovascular stent. Which statements, if made by the client, support the home-care nurse’s conclusion that the client is making lifestyle changes to decrease the likelihood of restenosis and arterial occlusion? Select all that apply.
- A. “I have been doing exercises twice daily.”
- B. “All nicotine products were thrown away.”
- C. “These support hose keep my legs warm.”
- D. “I see a podiatrist tomorrow for foot care.”
- E. “I'm following a low-saturated-fat diet”
- F. “I now take rosuvastatin calcium.”
Correct Answer: A;B;E;F
Rationale: The client’s statements indicating lifestyle changes are: A) Exercising to promote collateral circulation; B) Discontinuing nicotine to deter atherosclerosis; E) Following a low-saturated-fat diet to reduce atherosclerosis; F) Taking rosuvastatin to lower cholesterol. Support hose and podiatry care do not directly prevent restenosis.
The client’s BP is being taken at a screening clinic. Which client statement to the nurse demonstrates awareness of having a risk factor for hypertension?
- A. “My doctor told me my body mass index is 23 and my blood pressure is 118/70.”
- B. “I usually have a glass of wine to unwind when I come home from work.”
- C. “I plan to get my blood pressure checked more often, as I am African American.”
- D. “I have colds during the winter, so I plan to get the influenza vaccine every year.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Being African American is a known risk factor for hypertension. Starting to have the BP taken more often demonstrates awareness of having a risk factor for hypertension. A BMI of 23 is normal, excessive alcohol intake increases risk but one glass is not excessive, and colds or flu vaccines do not directly relate to hypertension risk.
The client returns to a hospital unit after undergoing placement of a vena cava filter. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Restart heparin therapy as soon as possible.
- B. Reinforce the abdominal incision dressing.
- C. Inspect the groin insertion site for bleeding.
- D. Increase fluids to promote excretion of the dye.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The procedure for placement of a vena cava filter is done percutaneously, usually through the subclavian or femoral vein approach. The nurse should check the groin insertion site for bleeding. Heparin is unnecessary, there’s no abdominal incision, and dye is not used.
The client, who is a 15-pack-year cigarette smoker, has painful fingers and toes and is diagnosed with Buerger’s disease (thromboangiitis obliterans). Which measure to prevent disease progression should be the nurse’s initial focus when teaching the client?
- A. Avoid exposure to cold temperatures
- B. Maintain meticulous hygiene
- C. Abstain from all tobacco products
- D. Follow a low-saturated-fat diet
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Buerger’s disease is an uncommon vascular occlusive disease that affects the medial and small arteries and veins, initially in the distal limbs. It is strongly associated with tobacco use, which causes vasoconstriction. The most important action to communicate to the client is that he must abstain from tobacco in all forms to prevent progression of the disease.