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When administering furosemide (Lasix) to a client, which lab value is most important to monitor?
- A. Potassium
- B. Sodium
- C. Calcium
- D. Chloride
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Potassium. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss through increased urine output. Monitoring potassium levels is crucial to prevent hypokalemia, which can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias. Sodium (B) and chloride (D) levels can also be affected by furosemide but are not as critical as potassium. Calcium (C) monitoring is not typically required when administering furosemide. By closely monitoring potassium levels, healthcare providers can prevent potential complications and ensure the safe administration of furosemide.
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When administering enoxaparin (Lovenox) to a client, what is the most important lab value to monitor?
- A. Platelet count
- B. aPTT
- C. Hemoglobin
- D. INR
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Platelet count. When administering enoxaparin, the most important lab value to monitor is the platelet count because enoxaparin can cause thrombocytopenia, a potentially serious adverse effect. Monitoring platelet count helps to detect and prevent this complication.
Summary of other choices:
B: aPTT - Enoxaparin does not directly affect aPTT, so monitoring this value is not as critical as platelet count.
C: Hemoglobin - While monitoring hemoglobin may be important for some conditions, it is not the most crucial lab value to monitor when administering enoxaparin.
D: INR - Enoxaparin does not affect the INR, so monitoring this value is not necessary when administering this medication.
The echocardiogram indicates a large thrombus in the left atrium of a patient admitted with heart failure. During the night, the patient complains of severe, sudden onset left foot pain. You note that no pulse is palpable in the left foot and that it is cold and pale. Which action should you take next?
- A. Lower the patient's left foot below heart level.
- B. Administer oxygen at 4 L/minute to the patient.
- C. Notify the patient's physician about the assessment data.
- D. Check the patient's vital signs and oximetry.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This likely indicates embolic occlusion, requiring immediate physician intervention.
This term refers to a change in the inotropic state of the muscle without a change in myocardial fiber length.
- A. Contractility
- B. Excitability
- C. Refractoriness
- D. Automaticity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Contractility is the correct answer as it specifically refers to the ability of the heart muscle to contract with a given force without changing its length. This term is used to describe changes in the inotropic state of the muscle, which affects the strength of contraction. Excitability, refractoriness, and automaticity do not directly relate to changes in muscle contraction force without altering fiber length. Excitability is the ability of the muscle to respond to stimuli, refractoriness is the recovery period after a muscle contraction, and automaticity is the ability of certain cells to generate spontaneous electrical activity.
Which type of heart valve disease occurs when the mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the left atrium?
- A. Mitral regurgitation
- B. Aortic stenosis
- C. Tricuspid regurgitation
- D. Pulmonary hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Mitral regurgitation. When the mitral valve does not close properly, it causes blood to flow backward into the left atrium during the heart's contraction phase. This condition is known as mitral regurgitation. Aortic stenosis (B) is narrowing of the aortic valve, not related to the mitral valve. Tricuspid regurgitation (C) involves the tricuspid valve, not the mitral valve. Pulmonary hypertension (D) is high blood pressure in the lungs, not directly related to a malfunctioning mitral valve.
What is a condition where the heart beats too slowly, reducing the amount of blood pumped to the body?
- A. Bradycardia
- B. Tachycardia
- C. Atrial fibrillation
- D. Ventricular fibrillation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Certainly! Bradycardia is the correct answer because it refers to a slow heart rate, leading to reduced blood flow to the body. This condition can result in symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and fainting. Tachycardia, on the other hand, is the opposite - a fast heart rate that can also impact blood flow. Atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation are irregular heart rhythms rather than slow heart rates, causing rapid and chaotic heartbeats that can be life-threatening. Therefore, the correct answer is A, bradycardia, as it specifically addresses the scenario of the heart beating too slowly.