Unit J-Cardiac Dysrhythmias with Medications Flashcards
A nurse assesses a client who had a myocardial infarction and has a blood pressure of 88/58 mm Hg. Which additional assessment finding would the nurse expect?
a. Heart rate of 120 beats/min
b. Cool, clammy skin
c. Oxygen saturation of 90%
d. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
ANS: A
When a client experiences hypotension, baroreceptors in the aortic arch sense a pressure decrease in the vessels. The parasympathetic system responds by lessening the inhibitory effect on the sinoatrial node. This results in an increase in heart rate and respiratory rate. This tachycardia is an early response and is seen even when blood pressure is not critically low. An increased heart rate and respiratory rate will compensate for the low blood pressure and maintain oxygen saturation and perfusion. The client may not be able to compensate for long and decreased oxygenation and cool, clammy skin will occur later.
A nurse assesses a client after administering a prescribed beta blocker. Which assessment would the nurse expect to find?
a. Blood pressure increased from 98/42 to 132/60 mm Hg.
b. Respiratory rate decreased from 25 to 14 breaths/min.
c. Oxygen saturation increased from 88% to 96%.
d. Pulse decreased from 100 to 80 beats/min.
ANS: D
Beta blockers block the stimulation of beta1-adrenergic receptors. They block the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) response and decrease the heart rate (HR). The beta blocker will decrease HR and blood pressure, increasing ventricular filling time. It usually does not have effects on beta2-adrenergic receptor sites. Cardiac output may drop because of decreased HR, but slowing the rate may allow for better filling and better cardiac output.
A nurse assesses clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which client would the nurse identify as having the greatest risk for cardiovascular disease?
a. An 86-year-old man with a history of asthma.
b. A 32-year-old man with colorectal cancer.
c. A 65-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus.
d. A 53-year-old postmenopausal woman who takes bisphosphonates.
ANS: C
Of the options, the client with diabetes has a two- to four-fold increase in risk for death due to cardiovascular disease. Advancing age also increases risk, but not as much. Asthma, colorectal cancer, and bisphosphonate therapy do not increase the risk for cardiovascular disease.
A nurse assesses an older adult client who has multiple chronic diseases. The client’s heart rate is 48 beats/min. What action would the nurse take first?
a. Document the finding in the chart.
b. Initiate external pacing.
c. Assess the client’s medications.
d. Administer 1 mg of atropine.
ANS: C
Pacemaker cells in the conduction system decrease in number as a person ages, potentially resulting in bradycardia. However, the nurse would first check the medication reconciliation for medications that might cause such a drop in heart rate, and then would inform the primary health care provider. Documentation is important, but it is not the first action. The heart rate is not low enough for atropine or an external pacemaker to be needed unless the client is symptomatic, which is not apparent.
An emergency department nurse obtains the health history of a client. Which statement by the client would alert the nurse to the occurrence of heart failure?
a. “I get short of breath when I climb stairs.”
b. “I see halos floating around my head.”
c. “I have trouble remembering things.”
d. “I have lost weight over the past month.”
ANS: A
Dyspnea on exertion is an early manifestation of heart failure and is associated with an activity such as stair climbing. The other findings are not specific to early occurrence of heart failure.
A nurse obtains the health history of a client who is newly admitted to the medical unit. Which statement by the client would alert the nurse to the presence of edema?
a. “I wake up to go to the bathroom at night.”
b. “My shoes fit tighter by the end of the day.”
c. “I seem to be feeling more anxious lately.”
d. “I drink at least eight glasses of water a day.”
ANS: B
Weight gain can result from fluid accumulation in the interstitial spaces. This is known as edema. The nurse would note whether the client feels that his or her shoes or rings are tight, and would observe, when present, an indentation around the leg where the socks end. The other answers do not describe edema.
A nurse assesses female client who is experiencing a myocardial infarction. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect?
a. Excruciating pain on inspiration
b. Left lateral chest wall pain
c. Fatigue and shortness of breath
d. Numbness and tingling of the arm
ANS: C
In women, fatigue, shortness of breath, and indigestion may be the major symptoms of myocardial infarction caused by poor cardiac output. Chest pain is the classic symptom of myocardial infarction and can be present in women. Pain on inspiration may be related to a pleuropulmonary cause. Numbness and tingling of the arm could also be related to the myocardial infarction, but are not known to be specific symptoms for women having and MI.
A nurse assesses a client 2 hours after a cardiac angiography via the left femoral artery. The nurse notes that the left pedal pulse is weak. What action would the nurse take next?
a. Elevate the leg and apply a sandbag to the entrance site.
b. Increase the flow rate of intravenous fluids.
c. Assess the color and temperature of the left leg.
d. Document the finding as “left pedal pulse of +1/4.”
ANS: C
Loss of a pulse distal to an angiography entry site is serious, indicating a possible arterial obstruction. The left pulse would be compared with the right, and pulses would be compared with previous assessments, especially before the procedure. Assessing color (pale, cyanosis) and temperature (cool, cold) will identify a decrease in circulation. Once all peripheral and vascular assessment data are acquired, the primary health care provider would be notified. Simply documenting the findings is inappropriate. The leg would be positioned below the level of the heart to increase blood flow to the distal portion of the leg. Increasing intravenous fluids will not address the client’s problem.
A nurse assesses a client who is recovering after a left-sided cardiac catheterization. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
a. Urinary output less than intake
b. Bruising at the insertion site
c. Slurred speech and confusion
d. Discomfort in the left leg
ANS: C
A left-sided cardiac catheterization specifically increases the risk for a cerebral vascular accident. A change in neurologic status needs to be acted on immediately. Discomfort and bruising are not unexpected at the site. Urinary output less than intake may or may not be significant
A nurse assesses a client who is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Which assessment would the nurse complete as the priority prior to this procedure?
a. Client’s level of anxiety
b. Ability to turn self in bed
c. Cardiac rhythm and heart rate
d. Allergies to iodine-based agents
ANS: D
Before the procedure, the nurse would ascertain whether the client has an allergy to iodine-containing preparations, such as seafood or local anesthetics. The contrast medium used during the procedure is iodine based. This allergy can cause a life-threatening reaction, so it is a high priority. It is important for the nurse to assess anxiety, mobility, and baseline cardiac status, but allergies take priority for client safety
A nurse cares for a client who is prescribed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart. The client’s health history includes a previous myocardial infarction and pacemaker implantation. What action would the nurse take?
a. Schedule an electrocardiogram just before the MRI.
b. Notify the primary health care provider before scheduling the MRI.
c. Request lab for cardiac enzymes from the primary health care provider.
d. Instruct the client to increase fluid intake the day before the MRI
ANS: B
The magnetic fields of the MRI can deactivate the pacemaker. The nurse would call the primary health care provider and report that the client has a pacemaker so that he or she can order other diagnostic tests. The client does not need an electrocardiogram, cardiac enzymes, or increased fluids. Some newer MRI scanners have eliminated the possibility of complications due to implants, but the nurse needs to notify the primary health care provider.
A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a myocardial infarction. The client’s blood pressure is 140/88 mm Hg. What action would the nurse take first?
a. Compare the results with previous blood pressure readings.
b. Increase the intravenous fluid rate because these readings are low.
c. Immediately notify the primary health care provider of the elevated blood pressure.
d. Document the finding in the client’s chart as the only action.
ANS: A
The most recent range for normal blood pressure is less than 140 mm Hg systolic and less than 90mm Hg diastolic. This client’s blood pressure is at the upper range of acceptable, so the nurse would compare the client’s current reading with those previously recorded before doing anything else. The reading is not low, so the nurse would not increase IV fluids, nor would the nurse necessarily notify the primary health care provider. Documentation is important, but the nurse first checks previous readings.
A nurse cares for a client who has an 80% blockage of the right coronary artery (RCA) and is scheduled for bypass surgery. Which intervention would the nurse be prepared to implement while this client waits for surgery?
a. Administration of IV furosemide
b. Initiation of an external pacemaker
c. Assistance with endotracheal intubation
d. Placement of central venous access
ANS: B
The RCA supplies the right atrium, right ventricle, inferior portion of the left ventricle, and atrioventricular (AV) node. It also supplies the sinoatrial node in 50% of people. If the client totally occludes the RCA, the AV node would not function and the client would go into heart block, so emergency pacing would be available for the client. Furosemide, intubation, and central venous access will not address the primary complication of RCA occlusion, which is AV node (and possibly SA node) malfunction.
A nurse teaches a client with diabetes mellitus and a body mass index of 42 who is at high risk for coronary artery disease. Which statement related to nutrition would the nurse include in this client’s teaching?
a. “The best way to lose weight is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.”
b. “You should balance weight loss with consuming necessary nutrients.”
c. “A nutritionist will provide you with information about your new diet.”
d. “If you exercise more frequently, you won’t need to change your diet.”
ANS:B
Clients at risk for cardiovascular diseases should follow the American Heart Association guidelines to combat obesity and improve cardiac health. The nurse would encourage the client to eat vegetables, fruits, unrefined whole-grain products, and fat-free dairy products while losing weight. High-protein food items are often high in fat and calories. Although the nutritionist can assist with client education, the nurse would include nutrition education and assist the client to make healthy decisions. Exercising and eating nutrient-rich foods are both important components in reducing cardiovascular risk
A nurse cares for a client who has advanced cardiac disease and states, “I am having trouble breathing while I’m sleeping at night.” What is the nurse’s best response?
a. “I will consult your primary health care provider to prescribe a sleep study.”
b. “You become hypoxic while sleeping; oxygen therapy via nasal cannula will
help.”
c. “A continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, breathing mask will help you
breathe at night.”
d. “Use pillows to elevate your head and chest while you are sleeping.”
ANS: D
The client is experiencing orthopnea (shortness of breath while lying flat). The nurse would teach the client to elevate the head and chest with pillows or sleep in a recliner. A sleep study is not necessary to diagnose this client. Oxygen and CPAP will not help a client with orthopnea.
A nurse cares for a client who is recovering from a myocardial infarction. The client states, “I will need to stop eating so much chili to keep that indigestion pain from returning.” What is
the nurse’s best response?
a. “Chili is high in fat and calories; it would be a good idea to stop eating it.”
b. “The primary health care provider has prescribed an antacid every morning.”
c. “What do you understand about what happened to you?”
d. “When did you start experiencing this indigestion?”
ANS: C
Clients who experience myocardial infarction often respond with denial, which is a defense mechanism. The nurse would ask the client what he or she thinks happened, or what the illness means to him or her. The other responses do not address the client’s misconception about recent pain and the cause of that pain
A nurse prepares a client for cardiac catheterization. The client states, “I am afraid I might die.” What is the nurse’s best response?
a. “This is a routine test and the risk of death is very low.”
b. “Would you like to speak with a chaplain prior to test?”
c. “Tell me more about your concerns about the test.”
d. “What support systems do you have to assist you?”
ANS: C
The nurse would discuss the client’s feelings and concerns related to the cardiac catheterization. The nurse would not provide false hope or push the client’s concerns off on the chaplain. The nurse would address support systems after addressing the client’s current issue
An emergency department nurse triages clients who present with chest discomfort. Which client would the nurse plan to assess first?
a. Client who describes pain as a dull ache.
b. Client who reports moderate pain that is worse on inspiration.
c. Client who reports cramping substernal pain.
d. Client who describes intense squeezing pressure across the chest.
ANS: D
All clients who have chest pain would be assessed more thoroughly. To determine which client would be seen first, the nurse must understand common differences in pain descriptions. Intense stabbing and viselike (squeezing) substernal pain or pressure that spreads through the client ’s chest, arms, jaw, back, or neck are indicatives of a myocardial infarction. The nurse would plan to see this client first to prevent cardiac cell death. A dull ache, pain that gets worse with inspiration, and cramping pain are not usually associated with myocardial
infarction.
A nurse is caring for a client with a history of renal insufficiency who is scheduled for a
cardiac catheterization. What actions would the nurse take prior to the catheterization? (Select
all that apply.)
a. Assess for allergies to iodine.
b. Administer intravenous fluids.
c. Assess blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine results.
d. Insert a Foley catheter.
e. Administer a prophylactic antibiotic.
f. Insert a central venous catheter.
ANS: A,B,C
If the client has kidney disease, fluids may be given 12 to 24 hours before the procedure for renal protection. Hydration would continue after the procedure. The client would be assessed for allergies to iodine, including shellfish; the contrast medium used during the catheterization contains iodine. Baseline renal labs would be assessed. A Foley catheter and central venous catheter are not required for the procedure and would only increase the client’s risk for infection. Prophylactic antibiotics are not administered prior to a cardiac catheterization.
An emergency department nurse assesses a female client. Which assessment findings would alert the nurse to request a prescription for an electrocardiogram? (Select all that apply.)
a. Hypertension
b. Fatigue despite adequate rest
c. Indigestion
d. Abdominal pain
e. Shortness of breath
ANS: B,C,E
Women may not have chest pain with myocardial infarction, but may feel discomfort or indigestion. They often present with a triad of symptoms—indigestion or feeling of abdominal fullness, feeling of chronic fatigue despite adequate rest, and feeling unable to catch their breath. Frequently, women are not diagnosed and therefore are not treated adequately. Hypertension and abdominal pain are not associated with acute coronary syndrome.
A nurse assesses a client who is recovering after a coronary catheterization. Which assessment findings in the first few hours after the procedure require immediate action by the nurse? (Select all that apply.)
a. Blood pressure of 140/88 mm Hg
b. Serum potassium of 2.9 mEq/L (2.9 mmol/L)
c. Warmth and redness at the site
d. Expanding groin hematoma
e. Rhythm changes on the cardiac monitor
f. Oxygen saturation 93% on room air
ANS: B,D,E
After a cardiac catheterization, the nurse monitors vital signs, entry site, cardiac function, and distal circulation. The potassium is very low which can lead to dysrhythmias. An expanding hematoma signifies bleeding. Rhythm changes on the monitor are a known complication. These findings would require prompt action. The client’s blood pressure is slightly elevated but does not need immediate action. Warmth and redness at the site would indicate an
infection, but this would not be present in the first few hours. The oxygen saturation is slightly
low but not critical and there is no baseline to compare it to.
A nurse reviews a client’s laboratory results. Which findings would alert the nurse to the possibility of atherosclerosis? (Select all that apply.)
a. Total cholesterol: 280 mg/dL (7.3 mmol/L)
b. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol: 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L)
c. Triglycerides: 200 mg/dL (2.3 mmol/L)
d. Serum albumin: 4 g/dL (5.8 mcmol/L)
e. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: 160 mg/dL (4.1 mmol/L)
ANS: A,C,E
A lipid panel is often used to screen for cardiovascular risk. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are all high, indicating higher risk for cardiovascular disease. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol is within the normal range for both males and females. Serum albumin is not assessed for atherosclerosis.
A nurse prepares a client for a pharmacologic stress echocardiogram. What actions would the nurse take when preparing this client for the procedure? (Select all that apply.)
a. Assist the primary health care provider to place a central venous access device.
b. Prepare for continuous blood pressure and pulse monitoring.
c. Administer the client’s prescribed beta blocker.
d. Give the client nothing by mouth 3 to 6 hours before the procedure.
e. Explain to the client that dobutamine will simulate exercise for this examination.
ANS: B,D,E
Clients receiving a pharmacologic stress echocardiogram will need peripheral venous access and continuous blood pressure and pulse monitoring. The client must be NPO 3 to 6 hours prior to the procedure. Education about dobutamine, which will be administered during the procedure, would be performed. Beta blockers are often held prior to the procedure as they lower the heart rate and may result in inaccurate results.
A nurse cares for a client who is recovering from a right-sided heart catheterization. For which complications of this procedure would the nurse assess? (Select all that apply.)
a. Thrombophlebitis
b. Stroke
c. Pulmonary embolism
d. Myocardial infarction
e. Cardiac tamponade
f. Dysrhythmias
ANS: A,C,E
Complications from a right-sided heart catheterization include thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolism, and vagal response. Cardiac tamponade is a risk of both right- and left-sided heart catheterizations. Stroke, myocardial infarction, and dysrhythmias are complications of left-sided heart catheterizations.