A nurse is assessing a client who has pericarditis. Which of the following findings is the priority?
Dependent edema
Pericardial friction rub
Paradoxical pulse
Substernal chest pain
The Correct Answer is C
A. Dependent edema can occur with pericarditis but does not indicate an immediate life-threatening complication.
B. A pericardial friction rub is a common finding in pericarditis and helps confirm the diagnosis but is not the priority.
C. A paradoxical pulse (an exaggerated decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration) is a sign of cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening complication of pericarditis, and requires immediate intervention.
D. Substernal chest pain is expected with pericarditis and is usually relieved by sitting up and leaning forward, but it is not the most urgent concern.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Strong contractions are expected with oxytocin augmentation and do not require a decrease in the infusion rate.
B. A cervical dilation rate of 1 cm every 4 hours is slow but does not indicate the need to decrease oxytocin.
C. Contractions lasting 80 seconds are prolonged but do not necessarily indicate hyperstimulation.
D. Contractions occurring every 90 seconds suggest uterine tachysystole, which can compromise fetal oxygenation and requires a decrease in the oxytocin infusion rate.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
- A: A heart rate greater than 60/min indicates that the transcutaneous pacing is effectively maintaining a heart rate within a normal range, which is crucial for adequate cardiac output and systemic perfusion.
- B: While 2+ pedal pulses indicate good peripheral perfusion, they do not directly reflect the effectiveness of transcutaneous pacing in treating complete heart block.
- C: Pacer spikes should appear before the QRS complex to show that the pacing stimulus is being delivered appropriately. Spikes after the QRS complex suggest that the pacing is not capturing the heart effectively.
- D: Distended jugular veins would be more indicative of heart failure or fluid overload and do not directly relate to the effectiveness of pacing therapy.
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