Nokea
The nurse notes an isolated premature ventricular contraction (PVC) on the cardiac monitor of a client recovering from anesthesia. Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Prepare for defibrillation.
- B. Continue to monitor the rhythm.
- C. Prepare to administer lidocaine hydrochloride.
- D. Notify the primary health care provider immediately.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: As an isolated occurrence, the PVC is not life-threatening. In this situation, the nurse should continue to monitor the client. Frequent PVCs, however, may be precursors of more life-threatening rhythms, such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. If this occurs, the primary health care provider needs to be notified. Defibrillation is done to treat ventricular fibrillation. Lidocaine hydrochloride is not needed to treat isolated PVCs; it may be used to treat frequent PVCs in a client who is symptomatic and is experiencing decreased cardiac output.
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A client with a central venous catheter who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) suddenly experiences signs/symptoms associated with an air embolism. The nurse should implement which interventions to minimize the client's risk for injury? Select all that apply.
- A. Monitors vital signs
- B. Clamps the catheter
- C. Checks the line for air
- D. Notifies the primary health care provider
- E. Boluses the client with 500 mL normal saline
- F. Places the client in Trendelenburg position on the left side
Correct Answer: B,D,F
Rationale: If the client experiences air embolus, the client is placed in the lateral Trendelenburg position on the left side to trap the air in the right atrium. The nurse should also clamp the catheter and notify the primary health care provider. Although vital signs are monitored continuously, doing without a related action does not directly assist the client. A fluid bolus would cause the air embolus to travel.
Which nursing question would elicit the most thorough assessment data regarding the client's recent sleeping patterns?
- A. Are you sleeping well at home?
- B. Did you get much sleep last night?
- C. May we talk about how you've been sleeping?
- D. Do you think you get enough sleep on a nightly basis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Option 3 is a question and provides the client the opportunity to express thoughts and feelings. The remaining options could lead to a one-word answer that would not provide thorough assessment data. Additionally, one night of sleep may not tell the nurse how the pattern has been over time.
The nurse is assessing a client who is being treated with a beta-adrenergic blocker. Which assessment findings would indicate that the client may be experiencing dose-related side effects of the medication? Select all that apply.
- A. Dizziness
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Chest pain
- D. Reflex tachycardia
- E. Sexual dysfunction
- F. Cardiac dysrhythmias
Correct Answer: A,B,E
Rationale: Beta-adrenergic blockers, commonly called beta blockers, are useful in treating cardiac dysrhythmias, mild hypertension, mild tachycardia, and angina pectoris. Side effects commonly associated with beta blockers are usually dose related and include dizziness (hypotensive effect), bradycardia, hypotension, and sexual dysfunction (impotence). Options 3, 4, and 6 are reasons for prescribing a beta blocker; however, these are general side effects of alpha-adrenergic blockers.
A client is in ventricular tachycardia and the primary health care provider prescribes intravenous (IV) lidocaine. The nurse should dilute the concentrated solution of lidocaine with which solution?
- A. Lactated Ringer's
- B. Normal saline 0.9%
- C. 5% Dextrose in water
- D. Normal saline 0.45%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lidocaine for IV administration is dispensed in concentrated and dilute formulations. The concentrated formulation must be diluted with 5% dextrose in water. Therefore, options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect.
Which interventions should the emergency department nurse prepare for in the care of a child with croup and epiglottitis? Select all that apply.
- A. Obtaining a chest x-ray
- B. Obtaining a throat culture
- C. Monitoring pulse oximetry
- D. Maintaining a patent airway
- E. Providing humidified oxygen
- F. Administering antipyretics and antibiotics
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E,F
Rationale: Epiglottitis is an acute inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis and surrounding tissue. It is a life-threatening, rapidly progressive condition that may cause complete airway obstruction within a few hours of onset. The most reliable diagnostic sign is an edematous, cherry-red epiglottis. Some interventions include obtaining a chest x-ray film, monitoring pulse oximetry, maintaining a patent airway, providing humidified oxygen, and administering antipyretics and antibiotics. The child may also require intubation and mechanical ventilation. The primary concern in a child with epiglottitis is the development of complete airway obstruction. Therefore, the child's throat is not examined or cultured because any stimulation with a tongue depressor or culture swab could trigger complete airway obstruction.