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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Continuing the normal saline IV at 75 mL/hour and encouraging increased oral fluid intake is the appropriate action. The client is showing signs of dehydration, such as dry mucous membranes and inelastic skin turgor, indicating a need for more fluids. Ensuring proper hydration through both IV and oral routes is essential.

Choice B reason: Slowing the normal saline to a keep open rate while contacting the healthcare provider is not appropriate in this situation. The client needs more fluids, not less. Reducing the IV rate could exacerbate dehydration.

Choice C reason: Reviewing the client's medications to see if the client can be given a PRN diuretic is not suitable for a client showing signs of dehydration. Diuretics would further decrease fluid volume and worsen the symptoms.

Choice D reason: Instructing the client to withhold oral fluids and report the symptoms to the provider is contrary to managing dehydration. The client needs increased fluid intake to address the signs of dehydration effectively.

A. Stool with fatty streaks. B. Blood in the stool. C. Clay-coloured stool. D. Hard pellets of stool.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Stool with fatty streaks is not a common finding in ulcerative colitis. It is more associated with malabsorption syndromes.

Choice B reason: Blood in the stool is a significant finding in ulcerative colitis, especially during an acute exacerbation. It indicates active inflammation and potential bleeding in the colon, which requires immediate attention and intervention.

Choice C reason: Clay-coloured stool usually indicates a problem with the bile ducts or liver, such as bile duct obstruction. It is not specific to ulcerative colitis.

Choice D reason: Hard pellets of stool indicate constipation, which is not typically associated with ulcerative colitis, especially during an acute exacerbation where diarrhea is more common.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client who is receiving normal saline IV at 75 mL/hour has dry, sticky mucous membranes, and inelastic skin turgor. Which action should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client with ulcerative colitis is admitted to the medical unit during an acute exacerbation. The nurse should instruct the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to report which finding related to the client's bowel movements?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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