A nurse notices frequent artifacts on the ECG monitor for a client whose leads are connected by cable to a console at the bedside. The nurse examines the client to determine the cause. Which of the following items is unlikely to be responsible for the artifact? A. Frequent movement of the client. B.… Read More »
A woman with severe mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation has a pulmonary artery catheter inserted. The physician orders pulmonary artery pressure monitoring, including pulmonary capillary wedge pressures. The purpose of this is to help assess the: A. Degree of coronary artery stenosis. B. Peripheral arterial pressure. C. Pressure from fluid within the… Read More »
A nurse is watching the cardiac monitor and notices that the rhythm suddenly changes. There are no P waves, the QRS complexes are wide, and the ventricular rate is regular but over 100. The nurse determines that the client is experiencing: A. Premature ventricular contractions B. Ventricular tachycardia C. Ventricular fibrillation … Read More »
A nurse is viewing the cardiac monitor in a client’s room and notes that the client has just gone into ventricular tachycardia. The client is awake and alert and has good skin color. The nurse would prepare to do which of the following? A. Immediately defibrillate. B. Prepare for pacemaker insertion. C.… Read More »
A nurse is caring for a client with unstable ventricular tachycardia. The nurse instructs the client to do which of the following, if prescribed, during an episode of ventricular tachycardia? A. Breathe deeply, regularly, and easily. B. Inhale deeply and cough forcefully every 1 to 3 seconds. C. Lie down flat in… Read More »
A client is having frequent premature ventricular contractions. A nurse would place a priority on the assessment of which of the following items? A. Blood pressure and peripheral perfusion. B. Sensation of palpitations. C. Causative factors such as caffeine. D. Precipitating factors such as infection. Correct Answer:… Read More »
A client has developed atrial fibrillation, which has a ventricular rate of 150 beats per minute. A nurse assesses the client for: A. Hypotension and dizziness B. Nausea and vomiting C. Hypertension and headache D. Flat neck veins Correct Answer: A. Hypotension and dizziness The client with… Read More »
A nurse is watching the cardiac monitor, and a client’s rhythm suddenly changes. There are no P waves; instead, there are wavy lines. The QRS complexes measure 0.08 second, but they are irregular, with a rate of 120 beats a minute. The nurse interprets this rhythm as: A. Sinus tachycardia B. Atrial fibrillation… Read More »
A client with rapid rate atrial fibrillation asks a nurse why the physician is going to perform carotid massage. The nurse responds that this procedure may stimulate the: A. Vagus nerve to slow the heart rate. B. Vagus nerve to increase the heart rate; overdriving the rhythm. C. Diaphragmatic nerve to slow… Read More »
Which of the following actions is the first priority of care for a client exhibiting signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease? A. Decrease anxiety. B. Enhance myocardial oxygenation. C. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin. D. Educate the client about his symptoms. Correct Answer: B. Enhance myocardial oxygenation. Enhancing myocardial oxygenation… Read More »