A nurse is caring for a client on a cardiac monitor. The patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.

What is the first action the nurse should take?

Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Cardiovert the client with a biphasic defibrillator.

Assess airway, breathing, and circulation.

Administer an amiodarone bolus followed by a drip.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale
Beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.
Choice B rationale
Cardioverting the client with a biphasic defibrillator is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.
Choice C rationale
The first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern is to assess the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation.
Choice D rationale
Administering an amiodarone bolus followed by a drip is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Stable angina typically occurs with exertion and goes away with rest. The symptoms described, including substernal pain, discomfort in the left shoulder and jaw, which subside with rest, are characteristic of stable angina.
Choice B rationale
Prinzmetal angina, also known as variant angina, is a type of angina (chest pain) caused by spasms in the coronary arteries. These spasms occur most often in coronary arteries that have not become hardened due to plaque buildup. However, they can also occur in hardened arteries. The symptoms can be similar to those of stable angina, but the typical triggers for the episodes are different.
Choice C rationale
A myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack, occurs when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked, often by a blood clot, causing part of the heart muscle to be damaged or die. The symptoms are usually more severe than what is described and do not typically subside with rest.
Choice D rationale
Unstable angina is a condition in which the angina symptoms become more severe, occur more frequently, or occur at rest. This is a medical emergency as it can often lead to a heart attack.

A. Cyanosis and hypoxia B. High-pitched cry and dyspnea C. Leg pain and twitching D. Epistaxis and anemia

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart condition that presents with a combination of four defects in the structure of the heart. The most common symptoms in a newborn with this condition include cyanosis (bluish color of the skin due to reduced oxygen in the blood) and hypoxia (low levels of oxygen in the body)34567.
Choice B rationale
While a high-pitched cry can be a sign of distress in a newborn, it is not specifically associated with tetralogy of Fallot. Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) can occur in severe cases, but it is not one of the primary symptoms of this condition.
Choice C rationale
Leg pain and twitching are not typical symptoms of tetralogy of Fallot. These symptoms could be indicative of other conditions, but they are not associated with this specific congenital heart defect.
Choice D rationale
Epistaxis (nosebleeds) and anemia are not typical symptoms of tetralogy of Fallot. While these conditions can occur in children for various reasons, they are not directly related to this specific congenital heart defect.

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A nurse is caring for a client on a cardiac monitor. The patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern. What is the first action the nurse should take?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A newborn child has been diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot. What symptoms would the nurse expect to observe in this child?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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A nurse is caring for a client on a cardiac monitor. The patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.

What is the first action the nurse should take?