A nurse is checking a client for a pulse deficit after detecting an irregular heart rate. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Count the client's radial and apical pulses simultaneously with another nurse.
Calculate the client's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
Assist the client to a side-lying position.
Auscultate the area of the client's chest over the Erb's point.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A.
Choice A rationale:
Count the client's radial and apical pulses simultaneously with another nurse. Rationale: In the presence of an irregular heart rate, a pulse deficit might indicate a discrepancy between the peripheral (radial) and central (apical) pulses. Counting the pulses simultaneously with another nurse helps to accurately assess this deficit. By comparing the two pulse rates, the nurse can identify if there is a difference, which might indicate inadequate circulation or irregular heartbeats that aren't effectively transmitting to the peripheral arteries.
Choice B rationale:
Calculate the client's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. Rationale: While calculating the pulse rate for 30 seconds and then multiplying by 2 is a valid method to determine the heart rate, it doesn't address the specific concern of a pulse deficit. This approach might help in assessing the overall heart rate but doesn't provide information about potential irregularities or discrepancies between peripheral and central pulses.
Choice C rationale:
Assist the client to a side-lying position. Rationale: Assisting the client to a side-lying position doesn't directly relate to the assessment of a pulse deficit. The position of the client wouldn't significantly impact the assessment of irregular heart rates or pulse deficits.
Choice D rationale:
Auscultate the area of the client's chest over the Erb's point. Rationale: Auscultating the area of the client's chest over the Erb's point is a technique used to assess heart sounds, particularly the S2 heart sound. This technique is not relevant to assessing a pulse deficit. It can provide information about heart valve function but doesn't help in evaluating a discrepancy between peripheral and central pulses.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice A - Measure the client's gastric residual before each feeding.
Choice A rationale:
The nurse's first action in caring for a client receiving intermittent enteral feedings should be to measure the client's gastric residual before each feeding. Gastric residual volume helps assess the client's tolerance to enteral feedings and can indicate delayed gastric emptying or potential complications like aspiration. If the residual volume is high, the nurse can collaborate with the healthcare team to determine whether to hold the feeding, adjust the feeding rate, or take other appropriate actions to ensure the client's safety and optimal nutritional status.
Choice B rationale:
Changing the enteral feeding bag and tubing every 24 hours is important to maintain the sterility and integrity of the feeding system. However, it is not the first action the nurse should take. The priority is to assess the client's tolerance to the feeding by measuring gastric residuals, which helps prevent complications.
Choice C rationale:
Documenting intake and output is a crucial aspect of nursing care for all clients, including those receiving enteral feedings. However, in the context of intermittent enteral feedings, measuring gastric residuals before each feeding is a more immediate and specific action to ensure the client's safety and well-being.
Choice D rationale:
Flushing the tubing with 30 mL of water after each feeding is important to prevent clogging and maintain the patency of the enteral feeding tube. However, this action is secondary to measuring gastric residuals, which directly assesses the client's tolerance to the feedings and helps prevent complications.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A: "I know that I can change my advance directives if I need to in the future."
Choice A rationale:
This statement indicates an understanding of advance directives. Advance directives are legal documents that allow individuals to communicate their preferences for medical treatment in case they become unable to make decisions themselves. It's important for clients to know that they can update or change their advance directives if their wishes or circumstances change over time.
Choice B rationale:
The statement that the health care surrogate will make decisions as soon as the power of attorney is signed is not accurate. Generally, a health care surrogate's authority to make decisions comes into effect when the primary individual is no longer able to make decisions themselves. Signing a power of attorney alone does not grant immediate decision-making power to the surrogate.
Choice C rationale:
The family generally cannot overrule the decisions made by a designated health care surrogate. Once an individual designates a surrogate and provides clear instructions through advance directives, the surrogate's decisions are legally binding and typically override the family's input.
Choice D rationale:
Advance directives are not universally valid across states. Laws and regulations regarding advance directives can vary significantly from state to state. It's important for clients to understand that if they relocate, they may need to update their advance directives to comply with the laws of the new state.
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