What is the first intervention for a client experiencing MI? A. Administer morphine B. Administer oxygen C. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin D. Obtain an ECG Correct Answer: B. Administer oxygen Administering supplemental oxygen to the client is the first priority of care. The myocardium is deprived of oxygen during an… Read More »
Which of the following classes of medications protects the ischemic myocardium by blocking catecholamines and sympathetic nerve stimulation? A. Beta-adrenergic blockers B. Calcium channel blockers C. Narcotics D. Nitrates Correct Answer: A. Beta-adrenergic blockers Beta-adrenergic blockers work by blocking beta receptors in the myocardium, reducing the response… Read More »
What is the most common complication of an MI? A. Cardiogenic shock B. Heart failure C. Arrhythmias D. Pericarditis Correct Answer: C. Arrhythmias Arrhythmias, caused by oxygen deprivation to the myocardium, are the most common complication of an MI. About 90% of patients who have an acute myocardial infarction… Read More »
With which of the following disorders is jugular vein distention most prominent? A. Abdominal aortic aneurysm B. Heart failure C. MI D. Pneumothorax Correct Answer: B. Heart failure Elevated venous pressure, exhibited as jugular vein distention, indicates a failure of the heart to pump. Increased blood volume,… Read More »
Toxicity from which of the following medications may cause a client to see a green-yellow halo around lights? A. digoxin (Lanoxin) B. furosemide (Lasix) C. metoprolol (Lopressor) D. enalapril (Vasotec) Correct Answer: A. digoxin (Lanoxin) One of the most common signs of digoxin toxicity is the visual… Read More »
Which of the following symptoms is most commonly associated with left-sided heart failure? A. Crackles B. Arrhythmias C. Hepatic engorgement D. Hypotension Correct Answer: A. Crackles Crackles in the lungs are a classic sign of left-sided heart failure. These sounds are caused by fluid backing up into the pulmonary… Read More »
In which of the following disorders would the nurse expect to assess sacral edema in a bedridden client? A. Diabetes B. Pulmonary emboli C. Renal failure D. Right-sided heart failure Correct Answer: D. Right-sided heart failure The most accurate area on the body to assess dependent edema… Read More »
Which of the following symptoms might a client with right-sided heart failure exhibit? A. Adequate urine output B. Polyuria C. Oliguria D. Polydipsia Correct Answer: C. Oliguria Inadequate deactivation of aldosterone by the liver after right-sided heart failure leads to fluid retention, which causes oliguria. Oliguria is… Read More »
Which of the following classes of medications maximizes cardiac performance in clients with heart failure by increasing ventricular contractility? A. Beta-adrenergic blockers B. Calcium channel blockers C. Diuretics D. Inotropic agents Correct Answer: D. Inotropic agents Inotropic agents are administered to increase the force of the heart’s… Read More »
Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system produces which of the following responses? A. Bradycardia B. Tachycardia C. Hypotension D. Decreased myocardial contractility Correct Answer: B. Tachycardia Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system causes tachycardia and increased contractility. The other symptoms listed are related to the parasympathetic nervous… Read More »