A client with the rhythm below has been admitted into the cardiac icu. What assessment finding does the nurse expect to find in this client?
Hypertension
Indigestion
Eupnea
Irregular palpitations
The Correct Answer is D
A. Hypertension:
Hypertension is not directly related to the rhythm displayed in the image. The rhythm is suggestive of atrial fibrillation (AF), characterized by irregular and chaotic electrical activity, leading to irregular heartbeats. Hypertension can be a risk factor for AF but is not a typical presenting symptom.
B. Indigestion:
Indigestion is a non-specific symptom that may occur in cardiac events like myocardial infarction but is not a hallmark of atrial fibrillation. The rhythm strip does not indicate myocardial ischemia.
C. Eupnea:
Eupnea refers to normal breathing, which is not commonly associated with atrial fibrillation. Clients with AF may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or fatigue rather than normal, unlabored breathing.
D. Irregular palpitations:
This is the most expected finding. Atrial fibrillation leads to an irregularly irregular pulse, which patients often describe as palpitations. This rhythm strip demonstrates the hallmark chaotic atrial activity and irregular ventricular response seen in AF.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"C"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"B"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"C"}}
Explanation
Dysrhythmias |
Transcutaneous Pacing |
Defibrillation |
Synchronized cardioversion |
Unstable Supraventricular tachycardia |
✔️ |
||
Unstable Bradycardia |
✔️ |
||
Ventricular Fibrillation |
✔️ |
||
Ventricular tachycardia with NO pulse |
✔️ |
||
Unstable Atrial Flutter |
✔️ |
Unstable Supraventricular Tachycardia: Synchronized Cardioversion
Unstable Bradycardia: Transcutaneous Pacing
Ventricular Fibrillation: Defibrillation
Ventricular Tachycardia with No Pulse: Defibrillation
Unstable Atrial Flutter: Synchronized Cardioversion
Rationales:
Unstable Supraventricular Tachycardia – Synchronized Cardioversion:
Synchronized cardioversion delivers a timed electrical shock to the heart during the R wave, avoiding the vulnerable T wave, which minimizes the risk of inducing ventricular fibrillation. This intervention is preferred for unstable SVT unresponsive to medications, as it restores normal sinus rhythm effectively.
Unstable Bradycardia – Transcutaneous Pacing:
Transcutaneous pacing provides electrical impulses to stimulate the heart when intrinsic conduction is insufficient. It is the recommended treatment for symptomatic bradycardia that does not respond to medications, ensuring adequate cardiac output while awaiting more definitive treatment.
Ventricular Fibrillation – Defibrillation:
Defibrillation delivers an unsynchronized shock to depolarize the entire myocardium, allowing the heart to reset and resume an organized rhythm. It is the first-line intervention for ventricular fibrillation, as the chaotic electrical activity makes the heart incapable of pumping blood.
Ventricular Tachycardia with No Pulse – Defibrillation:
Pulseless ventricular tachycardia requires defibrillation, as the rhythm is life-threatening and the absence of a pulse indicates the heart is not effectively pumping. This unsynchronized shock interrupts the abnormal rhythm, allowing normal sinus rhythm to potentially resume.
Unstable Atrial Flutter – Synchronized Cardioversion:
Synchronized cardioversion is used for unstable atrial flutter to restore sinus rhythm by delivering a precisely timed electrical shock. It is effective when pharmacological measures have not worked or are inappropriate, especially in cases of hemodynamic instability.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. 250 mg:
This represents the amount of levodopa in the tablet, not carbidopa. Sinemet contains two active ingredients: carbidopa (25 mg) and levodopa (250 mg), as shown on the label.
B. 25 mg:
This is the correct answer, as the label indicates that each tablet contains 25 mg of carbidopa. Carbidopa is combined with levodopa to improve its effectiveness and reduce side effects like nausea.
C. 5 mg:
This is not accurate; the label clearly states that the carbidopa dose is 25 mg per tablet.
D. 200 mg:
This does not correspond to the dose of carbidopa or levodopa in this medication. The label specifies 25 mg of carbidopa and 250 mg of levodopa.
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