A nurse is caring for a client who reports heart palpitations. An ECG confirms the client is experiencing ventricular tachycardia (VT). The nurse should anticipate the need for taking which of the following actions?
Elective cardioversion
Defibrillation
CPR
Radiofrequency catheter ablation
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is: A. Elective cardioversion
Choice A reason:
Elective cardioversion is a medical procedure that is used to restore a normal heart rhythm in patients experiencing certain types of arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia (VT), when they are stable. It involves the delivery of a controlled electric shock to the heart, which is synchronized with the heart's electrical activity to convert the abnormal rhythm back to a normal sinus rhythm. This procedure is typically performed when VT is not causing hemodynamic instability and the patient is not in immediate danger.
Choice B reason:
Defibrillation is an emergency treatment for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, particularly ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. It involves delivering a high-energy electric shock to the heart unsynchronized to the heart's electrical cycle, aiming to reset the heart's electrical state and allow it to reestablish an effective rhythm. In the scenario provided, where the patient is experiencing VT but not VF, defibrillation would not be the first line of action unless the VT deteriorates into VF or the patient becomes pulseless.
Choice C reason:
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning, in which someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. In the case of VT, if the patient is conscious and has a pulse, CPR is not indicated. CPR would only be necessary if the patient's heart stops beating (cardiac arrest) as a result of the VT.
Choice D reason:
Radiofrequency catheter ablation is a procedure used to treat some types of arrhythmias, including VT, by destroying the area of heart tissue that is causing the abnormal heart rhythm. This treatment is generally considered when medication is ineffective or not tolerated, or in recurrent VT. It is not typically the first line of treatment in an acute setting where the patient is stable and experiencing VT.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Decreased specific gravity is not a finding of right-sided heart failure. Specific gravity is a measure of urine concentration, which can be affected by fluid intake, dehydration, kidney function, and diuretic use. Right-sided heart failure does not directly affect urine concentration, but it can cause fluid retention and edema in the body.
Choice B: Decreased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is not a finding of right-sided heart failure. BNP is a hormone that is released by the heart when it is stretched or overloaded. BNP helps to lower blood pressure and reduce fluid volume by increasing urine output and dilating blood vessels. BNP levels are elevated in both left-sided and right- sided heart failure, as the heart is under increased pressure and volume.
Choice C: Increased pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is not a finding of right-sided heart failure. PAWP is a measure of the pressure in the left atrium, which reflects the pressure in the pulmonary capillaries. PAWP is elevated in left-sided heart failure, as the blood backs up in the lungs due to impaired left ventricular function. PAWP is normal or low in right-sided heart failure, as the blood backs up in the systemic circulation due to impaired right ventricular function.
Choice D: Elevated central venous pressure (CVP) is a finding of right-sided heart failure. CVP is a measure of the pressure in the right atrium, which reflects the pressure in the systemic venous system. CVP is elevated in right-sided heart failure, as the blood backs up in the body due to impaired right ventricular function. CVP can cause jugular venous distension, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, ascites, and peripheral edema.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice a) is incorrect because calcium levels are not directly affected by hemodialysis. Calcium is a mineral that is important for bone health, blood clotting, and muscle contraction. Hemodialysis does not remove calcium from the blood, but it may cause low calcium levels if the dialysate fluid has a lower concentration of calcium than the blood.
Choice b) is correct because potassium levels are decreased by hemodialysis. Potassium is an electrolyte that is essential for nerve and muscle function, especially the heart. Hemodialysis removes excess potassium from the blood, which can build up in people with kidney failure and cause irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, or even cardiac arrest.
Choice c) is incorrect because protein levels are not decreased by hemodialysis. Protein is a macromolecule that is composed of amino acids and performs various functions in the body, such as building and repairing tissues, transporting substances, and regulating processes. Hemodialysis does not remove protein from the blood, but it may cause low protein levels if the client has a poor diet or loses protein through other means, such as urine or wounds.
Choice d) is incorrect because RBC count is not decreased by hemodialysis. RBCs are red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. Hemodialysis does not remove RBCs from the blood, but it may cause low RBC count if the client has anemia, which is a common complication of kidney failure. Anemia can be caused by reduced production of erythropoietin (a hormone that stimulates RBC production), iron deficiency, or blood loss.
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