A client is admitted to the critical care unit (CCU) with a third degree complete heart block. A temporary transvenous pacemaker is inserted by the healthcare provider (HCP). An hour after pacemaker insertion, the device stops sensing the client's intrinsic heart rate. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Turn off the pacemaker.
Check the sensitivity control.
Increase the milliamps (mA).
Position the client on the left side.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Turn off the pacemaker. Turning off the pacemaker is not appropriate because the client has a third-degree heart block, which means their heart is not conducting impulses properly. Disabling the pacemaker could lead to severe bradycardia or asystole. The goal is to troubleshoot the issue rather than stopping pacing altogether.
B. Check the sensitivity control. Loss of sensing means the pacemaker is not detecting the client's intrinsic heart activity, which can lead to inappropriate pacing or failure to respond to the heart’s natural rhythm. Adjusting the sensitivity setting ensures that the pacemaker can recognize the client's heartbeats and pace appropriately. This is the first step in troubleshooting pacemaker malfunctions related to sensing issues.
C. Increase the milliamps (mA). Increasing the milliamps (mA) is used when there is failure to capture, meaning the pacemaker is delivering impulses but the heart is not responding. Since the problem here is failure to sense, adjusting the sensitivity setting is the correct first action.
D. Position the client on the left side. Repositioning the client is sometimes recommended for displacement of a transvenous pacemaker lead, but in this case, the issue is sensing failure, not lead displacement. Checking and adjusting the pacemaker settings is a more appropriate first step before considering repositioning.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Administer a PRN dose of benzodiazepine.
Benzodiazepines can cause respiratory depression and prolong delirium, especially in clients recovering from mechanical ventilation and sedation. The client’s confusion is likely transient post-extubation delirium, which often resolves with reorientation and safety measures rather than sedation.
B. Increase the oxygen concentration to 60%.
The client is maintaining an oxygen saturation of 98% on 40% FiO₂, indicating adequate oxygenation. Increasing the oxygen concentration to 60% is unnecessary and may increase the risk of oxygen toxicity.
C. Apply bilateral wrist restraints.
The client is confused and attempting to get out of bed, increasing the risk of falls and accidental self-injury. Restraints should be used as a last resort after ensuring non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., reorientation, sitter, bed alarms) are ineffective or unavailable. If applied, restraints must be monitored closely and removed as soon as possible.
D. Notify the rapid response team.
The client’s vital signs are stable, and oxygenation is adequate. Although confusion is concerning, it does not indicate an immediate life-threatening emergency requiring a rapid response team. Instead, the nurse should implement safety interventions and continue close monitoring.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Measure the client's abdominal girth. While tracking abdominal distension is useful, it does not address the underlying cause of the client's deterioration. Measuring girth should not delay immediate intervention for a potentially life-threatening condition.
B. Monitor the client's recent hemoglobin levels. A drop in hemoglobin would indicate internal bleeding, but waiting for lab results could delay necessary treatment. The client is already showing signs of early shock, requiring urgent medical intervention rather than just monitoring.
C. Prepare for nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion. An NGT may be needed for bowel obstruction or paralytic ileus, but the client's worsening condition suggests a more urgent issue, such as intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Addressing the potential bleeding takes priority over decompression.
D. Notify the healthcare provider (HCP) of the client's status. The client's tachycardia, tachypnea, cool pale skin, and worsening abdominal distension suggest early shock, likely due to postoperative internal bleeding or abdominal compartment syndrome. Immediate notification of the HCP ensures rapid assessment, diagnostic testing, and potential emergency intervention to prevent further deterioration.
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