A nurse in an emergency department is reviewing the medical record of a client who is having an acute myocardial infarction.
Which of the following findings places the client at risk if he receives alteplase?
Family history of malignant hypertension.
Hip arthroplasty 1 week ago.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Acute renal failure 6 months ago.
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is B. Hip arthroplasty 1 week ago.
Alteplase is a drug that dissolves blood clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin. It can be used for acute ischemic stroke, but it has some contraindications that depend on the indication and the type of administration of the drug. Some common contraindications for alteplase are hypersensitivity, active internal bleeding, history of intracranial hemorrhage, bleeding disorders, and high blood pressure. Other contraindications may vary depending on the specific condition and the time window of treatment. Alteplase can cause serious or fatal bleeding as a side effect.
Choice A is wrong because family history of malignant hypertension is not an absolute contraindication for alteplase, although uncontrolled hypertension (>185 mmHg SBP or >110 mmHg DBP) is.
Choice C is wrong because chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not a contraindication for alteplase, although it may increase the risk of pulmonary hemorrhage.
Choice D is wrong because acute renal failure 6 months ago is not a contraindication for alteplase, although current use of direct thrombin inhibitors or direct factor Xa inhibitors is.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are <120/80 mmHg for normal, 120-129/<80 mmHg for elevated, 130-139/80-89 mmHg for stage 1 hypertension, and ≥140/≥90 mmHg for stage 2 hypertension.
Normal ranges for platelet count are 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood.
Normal ranges for INR are 0.8 to 1.2 for people who are not taking blood thinners and 2 to 3 for people who are taking warfarin.
Normal ranges for aPTT are 25 to 35 seconds for people who are not taking blood thinners and 46 to 70 seconds for people who are taking heparin.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The systolic pressure is estimated by noting the pressure at which the pulse disappears and reappears. The diastolic pressure is not measured by this method, but it can be useful when the sounds are difficult to hear.
Choice A is wrong because applying the largest cuff available can result in a falsely low reading. The cuff size should be appropriate for the client’s arm circumference.
Choice C is wrong because placing the arm above the level of the client’s heart can also cause a falsely low reading. The arm should be at the level of the heart for an accurate measurement.
Choice D is wrong because deflating the cuff quickly can lead to missing or skipping sounds, resulting in an inaccurate reading. The cuff should be deflated slowly and evenly.
Normal ranges for blood pressure vary depending on age, sex, and health conditions, but generally, a systolic pressure below 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure below 80 mmHg are considered normal for adults.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason
Weight loss is not the correct answer: Weight loss is not a common side effect of simvastatin. In fact, weight loss is generally not associated with statin use. If the client experiences significant, unintentional weight loss, it may indicate another underlying issue that should be reported to the provider.
Choice B reason:
Muscle weakness is the correct answer. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor and report any muscle weakness to the healthcare provider when taking simvastatin. Simvastatin is a statin medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. While statins are generally well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause muscle-related side effects, including muscle weakness or pain.
Rhabdomyolysis, a severe condition characterized by the breakdown of muscle fibres, is a rare but serious side effect of statin use. Muscle weakness may be an early sign of this condition. Therefore, if the client experiences any unexplained or persistent muscle weakness while taking simvastatin, it should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately.
Choice C reason
Fever is not the correct answer: Fever is not a common side effect of simvastatin. If the client develops a fever while taking simvastatin, it is more likely to be related to another condition and should be reported to the provider for further evaluation.
Choice D reason:
Edema is the correct answer: Edema (swelling) is not a common side effect of simvastatin. If the client experiences significant edema, especially in the extremities, it may indicate another underlying issue that should be reported to the provider.
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