Nokea
The nurse is caring for an adult patient with HF who is prescribed digoxin. When assessing the patient for adverse effects, the nurse should assess for which of the following signs and symptoms?
- A. Confusion and bradycardia
- B. Uncontrolled diuresis and tachycardia
- C. Numbness and tingling in the extremities
- D. Chest pain and shortness of breath
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A key concern associated with digitalis therapy is digitalis toxicity. Symptoms include anorexia, nausea, visual disturbances, confusion, and bradycardia. The other listed signs and symptoms are not characteristic of digitalis toxicity.
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The cardiac monitor alarm alerts the critical care nurse that the patient is showing no cardiac rhythm on the monitor. The nurses rapid assessment suggests cardiac arrest. In providing cardiac resuscitation documentation, how will the nurse describe this initial absence of cardiac rhythm?
- A. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
- B. Ventricular fibrillation
- C. Ventricular tachycardia
- D. Asystole
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart ceases to produce an effective pulse and circulate blood. It may be caused by a cardiac electrical event such as ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, profound bradycardia, or when there is no heart rhythm at all (asystole). Cardiac arrest may also occur when electrical activity is present, but there is ineffective cardiac contraction or circulating volume, which is PEA. Asystole is the only condition that involves the absolute absence of a heart rhythm.
The nurse is performing a physical assessment on a patient suspected of having HF. The presence of what sound would signal the possibility of impending HF?
- A. An S3 heart sound
- B. Pleural friction rub
- C. Faint breath sounds
- D. A heart murmur
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The heart is auscultated for an S3 heart sound, a sign that the heart is beginning to fail and that increased blood volume fills the ventricle with each beat. HF does not normally cause a pleural friction rub or murmurs. Changes in breath sounds occur, such as the emergence of crackles or wheezes, but faint breath sounds are less characteristic of HF.
The nurse is reviewing the medication administration record of a patient diagnosed with systolic HF. What medication should the nurse anticipate administering to this patient?
- A. A beta-adrenergic blocker
- B. An antiplatelet aggregator
- C. A calcium channel blocker
- D. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Several medications are routinely prescribed for systolic HF, including ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, and digitalis. Calcium channel blockers, antiplatelet aggregators, and NSAIDs are not commonly prescribed.
The nurse is caring for a patient with systolic HF whose previous adverse reactions preclude the safe use of ACE inhibitors. The nurse should anticipate that the prescriber may choose what combination of drugs?
- A. Loop diuretic and antiplatelet aggregator
- B. Loop diuretic and calcium channel blocker
- C. Combination of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate
- D. Combination of digoxin and normal saline
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A combination of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate may be an alternative for patients who cannot take ACE inhibitors. Antiplatelet aggregators, calcium channel blockers, and normal saline are not typically prescribed.
The nurse is planning the care of a patient with HF. The nurse should identify what overall goals of this patients care?
- A. Improve functional status
- B. Prevent endocarditis
- C. Extend survival
- D. Limit physical activity
- E. Relieve patient symptoms
Correct Answer: A,C,E
Rationale: The overall goals of management of HF are to relieve the patients symptoms, to improve functional status and quality of life, and to extend survival. Activity limitations should be accommodated, but reducing activity is not a goal. Endocarditis is not a common complication of HF and preventing it is not a major goal of care.