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

Answer and Explanation

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.

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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.

A. Hct 45% B. Platelets 160,000/mm³ C. WBC 1,700/mm³ D. Hgb 14.7 g/dL

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A: Hct 45% is not a value that the nurse should report to the provider. Hct, or hematocrit, is the percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume. The normal range for Hct is 37% to 51% for men and 32% to 45% for women. Hct 45% is within the normal range and does not indicate any abnormality.

Choice B: Platelets 160,000/mm³ is not a value that the nurse should report to the provider. Platelets, or thrombocytes, are cell fragments that help with blood clotting and hemostasis. The normal range for platelets is 150,000 to 450,000/mm³. Platelets 160,000/mm³ is within the normal range and does not indicate any abnormality.

Choice C: WBC 1,700/mm³ is a value that the nurse should report to the provider. WBC, or white blood cells, are cells that fight infection and inﬂammation. The normal range for WBC is 4,500 to 11,000/mm³. WBC 1,700/mm³ is below the normal range and indicates leukopenia, which is a low number of white blood cells. Leukopenia can be caused by various conditions, such as viral infections, autoimmune disorders, bone marrow suppression, or chemotherapy. Leukopenia can increase the risk of infection and sepsis and requires prompt evaluation and treatment.

Choice D: Hgb 14.7 g/dL is not a value that the nurse should report to the provider. Hgb, or hemoglobin, is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues. The normal range for Hgb is 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men and 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL for women. Hgb 14.7 g/dL is within the normal range and does not indicate any abnormality.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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