A client with heart failure (HF) is waiting in the preoperative area for a scheduled procedure and tells the nurse, "My heart feels like it is beating too fast and I feel faint." After initiating a call for an electrocardiogram (ECG), which assessment data is most important for the nurse to obtain?
Degree of skin elasticity.
Length of capillary refill.
Rhythm of apical pulse.
Volume of pedal pulses.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: The degree of skin elasticity is a measure often used to assess hydration status, especially in older adults. However, it does not provide direct information about the client's cardiac function or the cause of their current symptoms.
Choice B reason: The length of capillary refill is useful for assessing peripheral perfusion and overall circulatory status. While prolonged capillary refill can indicate poor perfusion, it does not provide specific information about heart rhythm or the cause of palpitations and faintness in a client with heart failure.
Choice C reason: The rhythm of the apical pulse is the most important assessment data to obtain in this scenario. The client's complaint of a fast-beating heart and feeling faint suggests a possible arrhythmia, which could be detected by assessing the rhythm of the apical pulse. This assessment can help identify irregular heartbeats, tachycardia, or other abnormalities that may require immediate intervention.
Choice D reason: The volume of pedal pulses can provide information about peripheral circulation, but it is not as crucial as assessing the heart rhythm in a client experiencing palpitations and faintness. Peripheral pulse volume may not change significantly with certain arrhythmias or cardiac issues that affect the central circulation more directly.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Calling the postanesthetic care unit (PACU) nurse to prepare for prolonged ventilatory support is important in certain situations. However, in this case, the client's immediate concern is the extremely high temperature, which needs to be addressed urgently.
Choice B reason: Determining if prescribed antibiotics were administered preoperatively is a standard procedure, but it is not relevant to the acute situation of muscle rigidity and extremely high temperature caused by succinylcholine. The nurse should focus on immediate cooling measures.
Choice C reason: Holding a prescription for dantrolene until the fever is reduced is not appropriate. Dantrolene is actually used to treat malignant hyperthermia, which is characterized by muscle rigidity and a high temperature. It should be administered immediately in such cases.
Choice D reason: Preparing ice packs for placement in the client's axillary area is a direct and immediate action to help reduce the client's extremely high temperature. Cooling measures are crucial to manage hyperthermia and prevent further complications.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: The DASH eating plan does not recommend excluding grains from the daily diet. In fact, whole grains are an important part of the DASH diet.
Choice B reason: Enjoying fat-free yogurt as an occasional snack food aligns with the DASH diet's emphasis on low-fat dairy products. This behaviour indicates adherence to the dietary guidelines for reducing hypertension.
Choice C reason: Using lactose-free dairy products is not specifically related to the DASH diet. It may be relevant for individuals who are lactose intolerant, but it does not indicate adherence to the DASH diet principles.
Choice D reason: Carefully cleaning and peeling fresh fruits and vegetables is a good practice for food safety but does not specifically indicate adherence to the DASH diet. The DASH diet encourages the consumption of fruits and vegetables, but how they are cleaned and prepared is less relevant than the overall dietary choices.
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