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

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because monitoring the client's electrolyte levels is not the highest priority, as it does not address the immediate risk of airway obstruction or aspiration.

Choice B Reason: This is correct because suctioning saliva from the client's mouth is the highest priority, as it prevents airway obstruction and aspiration, which can lead to respiratory distress and infection.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because recording the client's intake and output is not the highest priority, as it does not address the immediate risk of airway obstruction or aspiration.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because performing passive range of motion on each extremity is not the highest priority, as it does not address the immediate risk of airway obstruction or aspiration.

A. Hypervolemia B. Metabolic alkalosis C. Low hemoglobin D. Hyperkalemia

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because hypervolemia is a condition of excess ﬂuid volume in the body. A client who has an extensive burn injury is more likely to have hypovolemia, which is a condition of low ﬂuid volume, due to ﬂuid loss from the damaged skin and capillaries.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because metabolic alkalosis is a condition of high blood pH and high bicarbonate level. A client who has an extensive burn injury is more likely to have metabolic acidosis, which is a condition of low blood pH and low bicarbonate level, due to increased production of lactic acid and ketones from tissue hypoxia and breakdown.

Choice C Reason: This is correct because low hemoglobin is a common laboratory finding in a client who has an extensive burn injury. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A client who has an extensive burn injury may have low hemoglobin due to hemolysis, which is the destruction of red blood cells, or hemorrhage, which is the loss of blood.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because hyperkalemia is a condition of high blood potassium level. A client who has an extensive burn injury may have hyperkalemia in the early phase of injury, due to cell damage and potassium release, but it is usually transient and followed by hypokalemia, which is a condition of low blood potassium level, due to ﬂuid loss and potassium depletion.

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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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