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The nurse is giving digoxin to a client. What is the most important parameter to check before administration?
- A. Heart rate
- B. Blood pressure
- C. Respiratory rate
- D. Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Digoxin is primarily used to treat heart conditions.
Step 2: Heart rate is crucial as digoxin can affect the heart rhythm.
Step 3: Monitoring heart rate ensures safety and effectiveness of digoxin.
Step 4: Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are important but not as directly impacted by digoxin.
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What is a condition where the alveoli are gradually destroyed, leading to shortness of breath and reduced oxygen exchange?
- A. Emphysema
- B. Pulmonary fibrosis
- C. Pulmonary edema
- D. Lung cancer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Emphysema is the correct answer. Alveoli destruction in emphysema leads to shortness of breath and reduced oxygen exchange. This condition is primarily caused by smoking and results in irreversible damage to the air sacs in the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis involves scarring of lung tissue, not alveoli destruction. Pulmonary edema is fluid accumulation in the lungs, disrupting oxygen exchange. Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lung, which may not directly lead to alveoli destruction.
Which term refers to the contraction phase of the heart when blood is ejected from the chambers?
- A. Systole
- B. Diastole
- C. Contractility
- D. Afterload
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Systole. During systole, the heart muscle contracts to pump blood out of the chambers. This phase is essential for delivering oxygenated blood to the body. Diastole (B) is the relaxation phase when the heart fills with blood. Contractility (C) refers to the heart's ability to contract, not a specific phase. Afterload (D) is the pressure the heart must pump against to eject blood, not a phase of the cardiac cycle. Therefore, the term that specifically refers to the contraction phase of the heart is systole.
Which medication relaxes the muscles around the airways, making it easier to breathe?
- A. Bronchodilator
- B. Corticosteroid
- C. Antihistamine
- D. Mucolytic
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bronchodilator. Bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscles surrounding the airways, leading to airway dilation and improved airflow. This helps in easing breathing difficulties in conditions like asthma and COPD. Corticosteroids (B) reduce inflammation, antihistamines (C) block histamine effects, and mucolytics (D) help in thinning mucus but do not directly relax airway muscles like bronchodilators do.
Receiving a report that Mr. K.'s prothrombin time (PT) is 4-4.5 times normal, your nursing action would be to
- A. call Mr. K.'s physician to report the PT
- B. stop the heparin infusion
- C. increase the heparin infusion by 10 mg/hr
- D. nothing, as the value is therapeutic
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An elevated PT indicates potential bleeding risk, necessitating immediate medical review.
What is the primary consideration when preparing to administer thrombolytic therapy to a patient who is experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
- A. History of heart disease.
- B. Sensitivity to aspirin.
- C. Size and location of the MI.
- D. Time since onset of symptoms.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Thrombolytic therapy is most effective when administered within a few hours of symptom onset.