A client is admitted to the emergency department 5 days after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) troubled by severe fatigue, muscle weakness, and shortness of breath. The client's electrocardiogram (ECG) Indicates sinus tachycardia and the laboratory findings indicate an elevated serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level. Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?
Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
Obtain blood for serum cardiac enzymes.
Provide emotional support.
Auscultate lung fields for fine rales.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter may be considered if the client is unable to urinate or if precise measurement of urine output is crucial for assessing fluid status. However, in this context, the immediate concern is more likely related to the client's cardiovascular status and respiratory symptoms rather than urinary output.
B. Serum cardiac enzymes (such as troponin, CK-MB) are important for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction or myocardial injury. While this is relevant for assessing cardiac damage, the elevated BNP level and current symptoms suggest that heart failure or fluid overload might be more pressing concerns.
C. Emotional support is important for any patient, especially those dealing with significant health issues. However, in this situation, the priority should be on addressing the immediate physiological concerns related to the client's symptoms and laboratory findings. Emotional support can be provided alongside other clinical interventions but should not be the primary action in this acute setting.
D. Fine rales (or crackles) in the lung fields are often associated with pulmonary congestion or fluid
overload, which are common in heart failure. Given the elevated BNP level and the client’s symptoms of
shortness of breath and fatigue, assessing the lung fields for rales is crucial.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. While bowel function can be affected by medication, it's not a primary indicator of thyroid hormone replacement effectiveness.
B. These are the most important assessments to determine the effectiveness of thyroid replacement therapy. Thyroid hormones influence metabolic rate, which directly affects heart rate and body weight. Changes in these parameters can indicate under- or over-replacement of thyroid hormones.
C. While medication adherence is important, it doesn't directly assess the medication's effectiveness.
D. Dietary intake is important for overall health but is not directly related to thyroid hormone replacement therapy effectiveness.
Correct Answer is ["B","E"]
Explanation
A. Pneumonia is an acute infection that causes inflammation in the lungs. While it can lead to significant respiratory symptoms and changes, it is not typically associated with clubbed nails. Clubbing usually develops over a longer period and is more common in chronic conditions.
B. Clubbing of the nails is often associated with lung cancer, particularly with bronchogenic carcinoma. The exact mechanism is not entirely clear, but it may relate to the presence of a malignancy causing systemic changes or the release of growth factors that affect nail tissue.
C. The flu is a viral respiratory infection that is usually acute and self-limiting. Clubbed nails are not a common manifestation of influenza. Clubbing is more associated with chronic respiratory and systemic conditions rather than acute viral infections.
D. COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is not commonly associated with clubbing.
E. Chronic bronchitis, a type of COPD characterized by persistent cough and sputum production, may lead to clubbed nails in some cases. The chronic hypoxemia and long-term inflammation can contribute to this nail change, although it is less commonly seen than with other conditions.
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