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 fatigue can contribute to decreased appetite, it is not as directly linked to the specific condition of trigeminal neuralgia.
B. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by severe, sharp facial pain, often triggered by chewing, talking, or even a gentle breeze. This pain would significantly deter a person from eating, leading to imbalanced nutrition.
C. Nausea is not a typical symptom of trigeminal neuralgia and would not be the primary cause of imbalanced nutrition in this case.
D. While altered taste can affect food enjoyment, it is less likely to completely deter someone from eating compared to the intense pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. This directly indicates that the lithotripsy procedure was successful in breaking down the stone into smaller fragments that can be passed through the urinary tract.
B. While the absence of these symptoms is a positive sign, it does not directly confirm the success of the lithotripsy procedure. These symptoms can be present even if the stone has been broken down.
C. Pale pink urine is expected after lithotripsy due to minor bleeding. The absence of blood clots is also a good sign, but it doesn't definitively confirm the procedure's success.
D. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels are within normal limits. These lab values are important indicators of kidney function but do not directly relate to the success of the lithotripsy procedure itself.
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