A client is scheduled for a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The nurse knows that a PTCA is the
A. Surgical repair of a diseased coronary artery.
B. Placement of an automatic internal cardiac defibrillator.
C. Procedure that compresses plaque against the wall of the diseased coronary artery to improve blood flow.
D. Non-invasive radiographic examination of the heart.
Correct Answer: C. Procedure that compresses plaque against the wall of the diseased coronary artery to improve blood flow
PTCA is performed to improve coronary artery blood flow in a diseased artery. It is performed during a cardiac catheterization. Aorta coronary bypass graft is the surgical procedure to repair a diseased coronary artery.
Option A: Coronary artery bypass grafting is the surgical repair of a diseased coronary artery.
Option B: Angioplasty does not involve the placement of an internal cardiac defibrillator. An internal cardiac defibrillator is needed if the client has ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation because they detect and stop abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmias.
Option D: PTCA is not a radiographic examination of the heart.