A nurse is collecting data on a client who has bradycardia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Fixed volume deficit
Anxiety
Lightheadedness
Elevated temperature
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason : A fixed volume deficit, or hypovolemia, is not a direct finding associated with bradycardia. Bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute in adults⁸. Hypovolemia can cause various compensatory mechanisms to activate, including an increase in heart rate to maintain cardiac output, which is the opposite of bradycardia. Therefore, a fixed volume deficit is not a typical finding in bradycardia unless it is part of a broader clinical picture⁹.
Choice B reason : Anxiety is a condition that can sometimes lead to an increased heart rate, known as tachycardia, rather than a decreased heart rate as seen in bradycardia. While anxiety can coexist with bradycardia, especially if the patient is anxious about their health, it is not a direct symptom or finding of bradycardia itself⁹.
Choice C reason : Lightheadedness is a common symptom of bradycardia. When the heart rate is too slow, it may lead to inadequate cerebral perfusion, which can cause a feeling of lightheadedness or dizziness. This symptom can be particularly evident when the patient changes positions, such as standing up quickly, which can exacerbate the effects of reduced cardiac output on cerebral blood flow⁸⁹.
Choice D reason : An elevated temperature is not typically associated with bradycardia. Fever can actually lead to an increased heart rate as the body attempts to manage the higher metabolic demands associated with a raised temperature. Bradycardia in the presence of fever might indicate a more complex clinical scenario, such as myocarditis or central nervous system infections, but it is not a direct finding of bradycardia⁹.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: A barrel chest is typically not associated with mitral valve stenosis. It is more commonly seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to hyperinflation of the lungs. Mitral valve stenosis affects the heart and not the lung structure.
Choice B reason: Clubbing of the fingers is a sign that can be associated with chronic hypoxia and certain types of congenital heart disease. While it can be seen in some heart conditions, it is not a specific finding for mitral valve stenosis.
Choice C reason: A heart murmur, specifically a diastolic murmur, is a classic finding in mitral valve stenosis. As the stenotic mitral valve obstructs blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, a pressure gradient is created, which produces a murmur that can be heard upon auscultation.
Choice D reason: Bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, is not a direct finding associated with mitral valve stenosis. Mitral valve stenosis may lead to arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation due to atrial enlargement, but bradycardia is not typically induced by this condition.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason : This instruction is accurate because for a standard 12-lead ECG, electrodes are placed on the patient's chest and extremities to record the electrical activity of the heart. The placement of these electrodes is crucial for accurate readings and diagnosis. The electrodes do not emit electricity; they merely record and measure the electrical activity in your heart, providing essential information to the medical provider.
Choice B reason : Remaining still during an ECG is important to prevent artifacts that can interfere with the interpretation of the heart's electrical activity. Movement can cause the readings to be inaccurate, which is why patients are advised to remain still once the electrodes are in place.
Choice C reason : While the client might feel some pressure from the electrodes, the term 'tingling' is not accurate as the ECG is a painless procedure. The electrodes may cause mild irritation upon the skin, but there is otherwise no sensation associated with the test itself.
Choice D reason : The duration of the test is indeed short, typically only a few minutes, but this is not the primary instruction. The nurse should first inform the client about the electrode placement, which is essential for the procedure. The ECG will only take a few minutes in total once the procedure is underway, not counting equipment set-up time.
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