A 56-year-old individual visits his primary care provider for a routine checkup.The physical examination reveals edema, an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), and muffled heart sounds.
Which of the following findings should the nurse be most concerned about?
Pulsus paradoxus.
Exudate.
Aneurysm.
Tamponade.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Pulsus paradoxus, an exaggerated decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration, can be a sign of several conditions, including pericardial tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Choice B rationale
Exudate, a fluid with a high protein content that leaks out of blood vessels due to inflammation, is not typically associated with the symptoms described.
Choice C rationale
An aneurysm, a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel, could potentially cause the symptoms described, but it is not the most concerning finding given the symptoms of edema, hepatomegaly, and muffled heart sounds.
Choice D rationale
Tamponade, a serious condition in which fluid or blood fills the pericardial sac, compressing the heart and preventing it from pumping effectively, could cause the symptoms described and would be the most concerning finding.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Promoting a diet high in saturated fats is not a recommended strategy for preventing cardiovascular disease. Saturated fats can raise the level of cholesterol in your blood and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Choice B rationale
Advising smoking cessation is a crucial intervention in preventing cardiovascular disease. Chemicals in tobacco can damage the heart and blood vessels, leading to narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can ultimately lead to a heart attack.
Choice C rationale
Regular blood pressure monitoring is important because high blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease. It can cause the arteries that supply blood to your heart muscle to harden and narrow, leading to a heart attack.
Choice D rationale
Regular cholesterol screenings are essential because high levels of cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaques in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease.
Choice E rationale
Encouraging regular physical exercise is a key strategy in preventing cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise helps control your weight and reduce your chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Aortic regurgitation is a condition where the aortic valve doesn’t close tightly, causing blood to leak back into the left ventricle. This condition can lead to left heart failure but is not typically associated with right heart failure.
Choice B rationale
Mitral regurgitation is a disorder in which the mitral valve on the left side of the heart does not close properly. This condition can lead to left heart failure but is not typically associated with right heart failure.
Choice C rationale
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening. This condition can lead to left heart failure but is not typically associated with right heart failure.
Choice D rationale
Tricuspid regurgitation is a disorder in which the heart’s tricuspid valve does not close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the right atrium. This condition can lead to right heart failure, especially when associated with pulmonary hypertension.
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