A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism that is placed on a continuous heparin infusion. The nurse should notify the health care provider for which of the following findings?
Client develops petechiae on the arms, legs, and abdomen.
Health care provider orders Coumadin 2.5 mg P.O. to begin today.
Client develops slight ecchymosis at the venipuncture site.
Client's partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is 70 seconds and the control is 25-40 seconds.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Client develops petechiae on the arms, legs, and abdomen: Petechiae can indicate thrombocytopenia, which may be a complication of heparin therapy but is not an urgent concern unless severe or associated with bleeding.
B. Health care provider orders Coumadin 2.5 mg P.O. to begin today: Coumadin (warfarin) is often initiated as a bridge therapy or overlap with heparin therapy in pulmonary embolism management. This order is not necessarily inappropriate and may be part of the treatment plan.
C. Client develops slight ecchymosis at the venipuncture site: Ecchymosis at the venipuncture site can occur due to minor trauma during the insertion of IV lines or blood draws and is not necessarily indicative of a complication requiring immediate notification of the healthcare provider.
D. Client's partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is 70 seconds and the control is 25-40 seconds: A significantly elevated PTT indicates a potential overdose of heparin, putting the client at risk of bleeding complications. This finding warrants immediate notification of the healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible adjustment of heparin therapy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Irregular pulsations: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are abnormal heartbeats originating in the ventricles, causing irregularities in the heart rhythm. Auscultating the apical pulse during PVCs may reveal irregular pulsations due to the irregular timing of ventricular contractions.
B. Bounding pulsations: Bounding pulsations are typically associated with conditions such as hypertension or aortic valve regurgitation but are not specifically characteristic of PVCs.
C. Tachycardia: PVCs may occur in the setting of tachycardia, but the presence of PVCs themselves does not necessarily indicate a rapid heart rate. The rhythm may be irregular due to PVCs, but the overall heart rate may not be consistently elevated.
D. Bradycardia: PVCs are not typically associated with bradycardia. Bradycardia refers to a slow heart rate, while PVCs involve premature extra beats originating from the ventricles.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Complete Heart Block: Complete heart block (third-degree AV block) occurs when there is no communication between the atria and ventricles. The atria and ventricles beat independently, resulting in a very slow ventricular rate. This rhythm is characterized by regular P waves that have no relation to the QRS complexes.
B. Sinus Tachycardia: Sinus tachycardia is a rhythm originating from the sinoatrial node with a heart rate typically between 100-150 beats per minute. The rhythm is regular, and the P waves precede each QRS complex consistently.
C. Ventricular Tachycardia: Ventricular tachycardia is a fast heart rhythm that originates from the ventricles. It is characterized by wide and abnormal QRS complexes with a rate usually between 150-250 beats per minute. There may be no visible P waves, and if present, they are not associated with the QRS complexes.
D. Idioventricular Rhythm: Idioventricular rhythm is a slow rhythm originating from the ventricles with a heart rate usually between 20-40 beats per minute. It has wide and abnormal QRS complexes and no visible P waves.
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