A nurse in a critical care unit is caring for a client who suﬀered a knife wound to the chest. The nurse suspects the client is developing cardiac tamponade. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse identify as supporting this suspicion?

Flatened neck veins.

Bradycardia.

Sudden lethargy.

Muﬄed heart sounds.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because ﬂatened neck veins are not a sign of cardiac tamponade. Cardiac tamponade is a condition in which ﬂuid accumulates in the pericardial sac that surrounds the heart, causing compression and impaired filling of the heart chambers. This leads to reduced cardiac output and hypotension. One of the manifestations of cardiac tamponade is distended neck veins due to increased venous pressure and impaired venous return.

Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because bradycardia is not a sign of cardiac tamponade. Bradycardia is a condition in which the heart rate is slower than normal (less than 60 beats per minute). It may be caused by various factors such as vagal stimulation, medication side eﬀects, hypothyroidism, or sinus node dysfunction. It may cause symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or syncope, but it does not indicate cardiac tamponade.

Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because sudden lethargy is not a specific sign of cardiac tamponade. Lethargy is a condition in which the person feels tired, sluggish, or drowsy. It may be caused by various factors such as sleep deprivation, depression, infection, anemia, or hypoglycemia. It may aﬀect the person's mental and physical performance, but it does not indicate cardiac tamponade.

Choice D Reason: This choice is correct because muﬄed heart sounds are a sign of cardiac tamponade. Muﬄed heart sounds are heart sounds that are fainter or softer than normal due to reduced transmission of sound waves through ﬂuid-filled pericardial sac. They may indicate that the heart function is compromised by cardiac tamponade and require immediate intervention such as pericardiocentesis (removal of ﬂuid from pericardial sac).

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Correct Answer is ["B","D","E"]

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because headache is not a common manifestation of ARF. Headache may be caused by various factors such as dehydration, stress, sinusitis, or migraine, but it does not indicate ARF.

Choice B Reason: This choice is correct because severe dyspnea is a common manifestation of ARF. Dyspnea is a difficulty or discomfort in breathing that aﬀects the oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal from the body. It may be caused by various factors such as lung disease, heart disease, anemia, or anxiety, but it indicates ARF when it is severe and persistent.

Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because nausea is not a common manifestation of ARF. Nausea is a sensation of uneasiness or discomfort in the stomach that may precede vomiting. It may be caused by various factors such as food poisoning, motion sickness, medication side eﬀects, or pregnancy, but it does not indicate ARF.

Choice D Reason: This choice is correct because hypotension is a common manifestation of ARF. Hypotension is a condition in which the blood pressure is lower than normal (less than 90/60 mm Hg). It may be caused by various factors such as dehydration, blood loss, sepsis, or shock, but it indicates ARF when it is due to reduced cardiac output or vasodilation from hypoxia.

Choice E Reason: This choice is correct because decreased level of consciousness is a common manifestation of ARF. Decreased level of consciousness is a condition in which the person has impaired awareness or responsiveness to stimuli. It may be caused by various factors such as brain injury, stroke, seizure, or drug overdose, but it indicates ARF when it is due to increased carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia) or decreased oxygen levels (hypoxemia) in the brain.

A. Allow the drainage to drip onto a sterile gauze pad. B. Obtain a culture of the specimen using sterile swabs. C. Insert sterile packing into the nares. D. Suction the nose gently with a bulb syringe.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This choice is correct because allowing the drainage to drip onto a sterile gauze pad may help to identify if it is cerebrospinal ﬂuid (CSF), which is a clear ﬂuid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. CSF leakage from the nose (rhinorrhea) may indicate a basilar skull fracture, which is a serious injury that can cause intracranial bleeding, infection, or brain damage. The nurse should test the drainage for the presence of glucose or the halo sign, which are indicators of CSF.

Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because obtaining a culture of the specimen using sterile swabs may introduce bacteria into the nasal cavity and increase the risk of infection. The nurse should avoid inserting anything into the nose or mouth of a client who has a suspected basilar skull fracture.

Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because inserting sterile packing into the nares may increase the pressure in the cranial cavity and worsen the injury. The nurse should avoid applying pressure or occluding the nose or ears of a client who has a suspected basilar skull fracture.

Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because suctioning the nose gently with a bulb syringe may damage the nasal mucosa and cause bleeding. The nurse should avoid suctioning or irrigating the nose or ears of a client who has a suspected basilar skull fracture.

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A nurse in a critical care unit is caring for a client who suﬀered a knife wound to the chest. The nurse suspects the client is developing cardiac tamponade. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse identify as supporting this suspicion?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has acute respiratory failure (ARF). The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following manifestations of this condition? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["B","D","E"]

Explanation

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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