The nurse has reviewed the information from the Diagnostic Results and Nurses' Notes. For each finding, click to specify whether the finding indicates that the client's status has not changed or has declined
- A. BP 102/70
- B. T 100.4 F (38 C)
- C. Peripheral pulses 1+
- D. Shortness of breath when recumbent
- E. Scattered crackles on lung auscultation
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Infective endocarditis (E) requires long-term antibiotic therapy (ie, 4-6 weeks). Fever (eg, T 100.4 F [38 C]) can persist for
several days despite appropriate antibiotic therapy.
In addition to the risk for systemic embolism (eg, stroke), clients with IE are at risk for heart failure if the involved valve
becomes dysfunctional. Decreased capillary oxygen saturation, shortness of breath when recumbent, and scattered
crackles on lung auscultation indicate fluid backup in the lungs. In addition, borderline low blood pressure (compared to
uncontrolled high blood pressure at admission) and decreased peripheral pulses (1+ vs 2+ on admission) indicate decreased
cardiac output and are concerning for heart failure.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching to the client. Which of the following client statements indicate that the teaching has been effective? Select all that apply.
- A. I am glad that I can continue to enjoy my morning cup of coffee.
- B. "I can use aspirin to manage the pain in my knee.
- C. I will drink alcohol with food to prevent more stomach ulcers
- D. I will immediately report any dark stools to my health care provider.
- E. "I will request a prescription for varenicline from my health care provider."
Correct Answer: D,E
Rationale: It is important that clients with peptic ulcer disease understand the signs and symptoms of a recurrence of gastrointestinal
bleeding (ie, melena, hematemesis). If these symptoms occur, the client should immediately notify the health care provider
to prevent life-threatening complications (eg, hemorrhagic shock) (Option 4).
To prevent new peptic ulcer formation or exacerbation, the nurse should instruct clients to limit activities that stimulate
production of gastric acid and impair ulcer healing (eg, smoking). Varenicline is a partial nicotine agonist that aids in smoking
cessation and may be useful for this client
Drag words from the choices below to fill in the blank/blanks. The nurse understands that treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis is resolved when the-----------,--------, and ----------
- A. Urine output is >30 mL/hr
- B. Blood glucose is <200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L)
- C. Potassium level is >3.5 mEq/L (3.5 mmol/L)
- D. Metabolic acidosis is
resolved - E. Urine specimen is negative
for ketones
Correct Answer: B,D,E
Rationale: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) causes anion gap metabolic acidosis generated by the ketoacid anions and beta-hydroxybutyrate. Anion gap is
calculated based on electrolyte levels to determine the balance of cations and anions (le, acids and bases).
IV insulin infusion may be discontinued on resolution of acidosis and ketosis, which generally occurs with a blood glucose level of <200
mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L). However, measurement of serum glucose alone is inappropriate for monitoring the response to treatment because
ketosis and acidemia may still be present. With fluid resuscitation and correction of hyperosmolality and hyperglycemia, ketoacids disappear
and the anion gap and arterial blood gas results normalize, pointing to resolution of metabolic acidosis and ketonuria ie, ketones in
urine.
The health care provider has confirmed that the client is experiencing an exacerbation of heart failure. For each potential prescription, click to specify if the prescription is expected or unexpected for the care of the client.
- A. Potential Prescription, Expected, Unexpected
- B. Perform daily weights
- C. Administer furosemide
- D. Apply compression stockings
- E. Encourage the client to limit mobility
- F. Encourage increased oral fluid intake
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Heart failure (F) exacerbation management focuses on improving oxygenation and reducing fluid overload. Expected
prescriptions include:
• Performing daily weights to monitor fluid volume status and guide treatment. Ideally, daily weights should be performed
at the same time of day, on the same scale, and with the client wearing the same amount/type of clothes. Rapid weight
gain (ie, >5 lb/week [(2.3 kg/week]) should be communicated to the health care provider immediately.
• Administering loop diuretics (eg, furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide) to prevent reabsorption of sodium and chloride in
the kidneys, which increases fluid excretion and urine output. This provides symptom relief by reducing pulmonary
congestion and peripheral edema.
• Applying compression stockings, a common nopharmacological intervention, to promote venous blood return and
reduce peripheral edema.
Limiting mobility is unexpected for a client with increased fluid volume. The client should be encouraged to ambulate
frequently to promote venous return, exercise cardiac muscle, and reduce risk of deep venous thrombosis.
Increasing oral fluid intake is unexpected for a client with hypervolemia (ie, heart failure exacerbation) because it
exacerbates existing symptoms (eg, edema, pulmonary congestion).
Select 5 findings that require further investigation.
- A. unable to lie flat and sleeps in a chair at night
- B. 6-1b (2.7-kg) weight
gain in 1 week - C. increased urinary hesitancy and urgency
- D. SpO2 88% on room air
- E. crackles in bilateral lung
bases;
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: A client with chronic heart failure (HF) who reports worsening fatigue, dyspnea, orthopnea, and peripheral edema is likely
experiencing declining oxygenation due to fluid volume overload. Assessment findings that require further investigation
include:
• Orthopnea: Labored breathing in the supine position is a common manifestation in clients with HF due to pulmonary
edema. Clients with orthopnea often sleep on a chair or on propped-up pillows to decrease work of breathing.
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, which is waking up in the middle of the night with suffocation due to dyspnea, is another
characteristic finding in HF.
• Crackles on auscultation: Crackles are a manifestation of pulmonary edema caused by fluid in the alveoli. Pulmonary
edema is concerning for worsening HF and impaired gas exchange.
• Peripheral edema and rapid weight gain (ie, >5 Ib/week [2.3 kg/week]): These symptoms are concerning for fluid
volume overload
• Hypoxemia: Decreased capillary oxygen saturation (SpO, <95%) is a sign of inadequate gas exchange. This is most
likely related to pulmonary edema from HF exacerbation.
Which of the following prescriptions are indicated for this client? Select all that apply.
- A. 12-lead ECG
- B. Chest x-ray
- C. Current weight
- D. Orthostatic vital signs
- E. Serum electrolyte levels
Correct Answer: A,B,C,E
Rationale: This client's medical history includes hypertension, myocardial infarction, heart failure (HF), coronary artery disease, and chronic stable
angina, which place the client at high risk for several complications. When assisting in planning care for a client with a history of HF who is
experiencing dyspnea and chest discomfort, the nurse should anticipate the following prescriptions:
• A 12-lead ECG to assist in identifying acute dyshythmias and acute coronary syndromes (eg, myocardial infarction, unstable angina)
(Option 1)
• Chest x-ray to visualize pulmonary congestion, cardiomegaly, and the presence of other potential causes for the client's dyspnea (eg,
pneumonia, pleural effusion). Common causes of pleural effusions include HF (Option 2).
• The client's current weight to establish a baseline indicator of fluid volume status (Option 3)
• Serum electrolyte levels to identify fluid and electrolyte imbalances that may impair myocardial contractility (Option 5)