The nurse is assessing the client with an anterior-lateral MI. The nurse should add decreased cardiac output to the client’s plan of care when which finding is noted?
- A. Pain radiates up left arm to neck
- B. Presence of an S4 heart sound
- C. Crackles auscultated in both lung bases
- D. Vesicular breath sounds over lung lobes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An anterior-lateral MI can produce left ventricular dysfunction and low cardiac output. With decreased cardiac output, blood accumulates in the heart and backs up into the pulmonary system, causing fluid to move into interstitial spaces and alveoli, resulting in crackles. Pain radiation, S4 sounds, and vesicular breath sounds do not directly indicate decreased cardiac output.
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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.
The nurse who is beginning a shift on a cardiac step-down unit receives shift report for four clients. Prioritize the order, from most urgent to least urgent, that the nurse should assess the clients.
- A. The 56-year-old client who was admitted 1 day ago with chest pain receiving intravenous (IV) heparin and has a partial thromboplastin time (PTT) due back in 30 minutes
- B. The 62-year-old client with end-stage cardiomyopathy, blood pressure (BP) of 78/50 mm Hg, 20 mL/hr urine output, and a “Do Not Resuscitate” order; whose family has just arrived
- C. The 72-year-old client who was transferred 2 hours ago from the intensive care unit (ICU) following a coronary artery bypass graft and has new-onset atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response
- D. The 38-year-old postoperative client who had an aortic valve replacement 2 days ago, BP 114/72 mm Hg, heart rate (HR) 100 beats/min, respiratory rate (RR) 28 breaths/min, and temperature 101.2°F (38.4°C)
Correct Answer: C;D;A;B
Rationale: The nurse should assess: C) Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response is life-threatening; D) Elevated temperature and vital signs suggest infection; A) Heparin adjustment is pending but less urgent; B) End-stage cardiomyopathy with DNR is stable and family support is secondary.
The nurse is discussing healthy lifestyle practices with the client who has chronic venous insufficiency. Which practices should be emphasized with this client? Select all that apply.
- A. Avoid eating an excess of dark green vegetables.
- B. Take rests and elevate the legs while sitting.
- C. Wear graduated compression stockings, removing them at night.
- D. Increase standing time and shift weight when upright.
- E. Sleep with legs elevated above the level of the heart.
Correct Answer: B;C;E
Rationale: The nurse should emphasize: B) Elevating legs when sitting to promote venous return; C) Wearing compression stockings to reduce edema; E) Sleeping with legs elevated to enhance venous return. Avoiding dark green vegetables is relevant only with anticoagulants, and prolonged standing should be avoided.
The nurse is caring for multiple clients. Which client should the nurse identify as having the greatest risk for developing a DVT?
- A. The client with an area of slight inflammation at the peripheral IV site with a PT of 25 seconds, INR of 2.5.
- B. The client postoperative hip arthroplasty who has venous insufficiency and is immobile; platelet count = 550,000/mm3.
- C. The client with a history of DVT admitted with chest pain and has a continuous intravenous heparin drip; PTT of 55 seconds.
- D. The client with dependent rubor, pallor upon lower-extremity elevation, and absent peripheral pulses; platelet count of 350,000/mm3.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Blood stasis (immobility), endothelial injury (postoperative client), and hypercoagulability (platelet count increased) suggest Virchow’s triad, which is associated with an increased risk of DVT. Other clients have prolonged coagulation times or arterial issues, reducing DVT risk.
The client with class II HF according to the New York Heart Association Functional Classification has been taught about the initial treatment plan for this disease. The nurse determines that the client needs additional teaching if the client states that the treatment plan includes which component?
- A. Diuretics
- B. A low-sodium diet
- C. Home oxygen therapy
- D. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In class II HF, normal physical activity results in fatigue, dyspnea, palpitations, or anginal pain, but symptoms are absent at rest. Home oxygen therapy is unnecessary unless there are other comorbid conditions. Diuretics, low-sodium diet, and ACE inhibitors are standard treatments.