A client who was discharged from the hospital 2 days ago after having a permanent pacemaker placed presents to the emergency department with sharp chest pain and difficulty breathing. Which assessment findings require the highest priority intervention?
BP 105/70 manually & flat neck veins
Equal breath sounds with a respiratory rate of 28
Distended neck veins & muffled heart sounds
Heart rate 105 & respiratory rate of 28
The Correct Answer is C
A. BP 105/70 manually & flat neck veins: This blood pressure is within a low-normal range, and flat neck veins suggest no evidence of right-sided heart failure or cardiac tamponade. Though the patient needs evaluation, these findings are not emergent.
B. Equal breath sounds with a respiratory rate of 28: A mildly elevated respiratory rate can indicate distress, but equal breath sounds suggest the absence of pneumothorax or hemothorax. While the patient is symptomatic, this finding alone doesn't demand the most urgent intervention.
C. Distended neck veins & muffled heart sounds: These are classic signs of cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening emergency that can occur due to pacemaker lead perforation. This condition results in fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, impairing cardiac output and requiring immediate intervention such as pericardiocentesis.
D. Heart rate 105 & respiratory rate of 28: These are signs of physiological compensation and indicate stress or early decompensation. However, without signs like neck vein distention or muffled heart sounds, they are less critical than the findings in option C.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["200"]
Explanation
Volume ordered is 1 L.
Convert the total volume to milliliters (mL)
1 L = 1000 mL.
Total volume in mL = 1 L × 1000 mL/L = 1000 mL
Total infusion time = 5 hours
Calculate the infusion rate in milliliters per hour (mL/hr).
Infusion rate (mL/hr) = Total volume (mL) / Total infusion time (hours)
= 1000 mL / 5 hours
= 200
The appropriate setting is 200 mL/hr.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation: While cancer and its treatments can suppress the immune system, they are not direct causes of infectious endocarditis. The condition is more closely related to bacteremia and structural heart damage.
B. Periodontal disease and gum surgery three months ago: Periodontal disease involves chronic bacterial infection of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, this transient bacteremia can lead to infectious endocarditis. Oral infections and invasive dental procedures can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, particularly streptococci, which can colonize damaged heart valves and cause infectious endocarditis.
C. Type II diabetic for ten years: Diabetes increases the risk of infection generally, but it is not a specific cause of endocarditis. Without a portal of entry or bacteremia, the condition alone is not strongly associated with endocarditis.
D. Myocardial infarction one year ago: A prior MI may result in reduced cardiac function but does not directly lead to infectious endocarditis unless it has resulted in damaged valves or introduced infection, which is not indicated here.
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