Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Disorders of Coronary and Peripheral Blood Vessels Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Disorders of Coronary and Peripheral Blood Vessels related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a client with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Which assessment finding is most likely to indicate a dissection of the aneurysm?

  • A. Severe pain
  • B. Hematemesis
  • C. Rectal bleeding
  • D. Hypertensive crisis
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Pressure from an enlarging or dissecting abdominal aortic aneurysm is likely to be exhibited as severe pain. A decrease in blood pressure will result as the client goes into shock from hemorrhaging. Blood in emesis or rectal bleeding is not associated with rupture of AAA.