A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The client reports feeling palpitations and shortness of breath. The nurse is aware that clients with atrial fibrillation are at risk for which complication?
Hypertensive crisis
Cardiogenic shock
Embolic cerebral vascular accident
Flash pulmonary edema
The Correct Answer is C
A. Hypertensive crisis is not a direct complication of atrial fibrillation. It is typically caused by uncontrolled hypertension rather than arrhythmias.
B. Cardiogenic shock can occur in severe heart failure but is not a primary complication of atrial fibrillation.
C. Embolic cerebral vascular accident (stroke) is a major risk for clients with atrial fibrillation. The irregular atrial contractions allow blood to pool in the atria, increasing the risk of clot formation. If a clot dislodges, it can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.
D. Flash pulmonary edema is a complication of acute decompensated heart failure but is not directly caused by atrial fibrillation.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. NSTEMI (Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction) does not present with ST-segment elevation on the ECG. Instead, it shows ST-segment depression or T-wave inversion and is diagnosed with elevated cardiac biomarkers.
B. Stable angina is predictable chest pain that occurs with exertion and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. It does not cause acute ECG changes.
C. Unstable angina is characterized by chest pain that occurs at rest or with minimal exertion and is not relieved by nitroglycerin. However, it does not show ST-segment elevation or myocardial infarction markers.
D. STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) is diagnosed when there is ST-segment elevation in two or more contiguous ECG leads, indicating complete occlusion of a coronary artery and requiring immediate intervention such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or thrombolytic therapy.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A new systolic murmur is more indicative of valvular dysfunction or a septal defect rather than pericardial effusion.
B. Diminished breath sounds may be associated with atelectasis or pleural effusion but are not a hallmark finding of pericardial effusion.
C. Diminished heart sounds occur due to fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, which muffles heart tones and is a key sign of pericardial effusion.
D. Increased blood pressure is not characteristic of pericardial effusion. Instead, pericardial effusion can lead to cardiac tamponade, which typically causes hypotension.
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