Nokea
The nurse is providing teaching to a patient with newly diagnosed Raynaud's phenomenon about how to manage the condition. Which of the following behaviours by the patient indicates that the teaching has been effective?
- A. The patient avoids the use of Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- B. The patient exercises indoors during the winter months.
- C. The patient places the hands in hot water when they turn pale.
- D. The patient takes pseudoephedrine for cold symptoms.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patients should avoid temperature extremes by exercising indoors when it is cold. To avoid burn injuries, the patient should use warm, rather than hot, water to warm the hands. Pseudoephedrine, a vasoconstrictor, should be avoided. There is no reason to avoid taking Aspirin and NSAIDs with Raynaud's phenomenon.
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Immediately after repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a patient has absent popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses. The legs are cool and mottled. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Wrap both the legs in warm blankets.
- B. Notify the surgeon and anaesthesiologist.
- C. Document that the pulses are absent and recheck in 30 minutes.
- D. Review the preoperative assessment form for data about the pulses.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Many patients with aortic aneurysms also have peripheral arterial disease, so the nurse should check the preoperative assessment to determine whether pulses were present before surgery before notifying the health care providers about the absent pulses. Because the patient's symptoms may indicate graft occlusion or multiple emboli and a possible need to return to surgery, it is not appropriate to wait 30 minutes before taking action. Warm blankets will not improve the circulation to the patient's legs.
Which of the following patients in the emergency department should the nurse assess first?
- A. 62-year-old who has gangrenous ulcers on both feet
- B. 50-year-old who is complaining of 'tearing' chest pain.
- C. 45-year-old who is taking anticoagulants and has bloody stools
- D. 36-year-old who has right calf tenderness, redness, and swelling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's presentation is consistent with aortic dissection, which will require rapid intervention. The other patients do not need urgent interventions.
The nurse is planning expected outcomes for a patient with thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease). Which of the following outcomes has the highest priority for this patient?
- A. Cessation of smoking
- B. Control of serum lipid levels
- C. Maintenance of appropriate weight
- D. Demonstration of meticulous foot care
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Absolute cessation of nicotine use is needed to reduce the risk for amputation in patients with Buerger's disease. Other therapies have limited success in treatment of this disease.
The nurse is assessing a patient in the emergency department with a history of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with severe back pain and absent pedal pulses. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Obtain the blood pressure.
- B. Ask the patient about tobacco use.
- C. Draw blood for ordered laboratory testing.
- D. Assess for the presence of an abdominal bruit.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Since the patient appears to be experiencing aortic dissection, the nurse's first action should be to determine the hemodynamic status by assessing blood pressure. The other actions also may be done, but they will not provide information that will determine what interventions are needed immediately for this patient.
A patient tells the health care provider about experiencing cold, numb fingers when running during the winter and is diagnosed with Raynaud's phenomenon. Based upon this diagnosis, the patient should be investigated for which of the following conditions?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Hyperlipidemia
- C. Autoimmune disorders
- D. Coronary artery disease
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon may occur in conjunction with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and patients should be screened for autoimmune disorders. Raynaud's phenomenon is not associated with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or coronary artery disease.