A nurse is planning care for a client who has atrial fibrillation and reports heart palpitations, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath. Which of the following procedures should the nurse anticipate for this client?
Pericardiocentesis
Septal myectomy
Pericardial window
Synchronized electrical cardioversion
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Pericardiocentesis is a procedure used to remove fluid from the pericardial sac and is not typically used to treat atrial fibrillation. It is more commonly indicated for conditions such as pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade.
Choice B rationale
Septal myectomy is a surgical intervention to remove part of the thickened septal wall that separates the ventricles of the heart. It is primarily used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, not atrial fibrillation.
Choice C rationale
A pericardial window is a procedure that creates an opening in the pericardium to allow fluid to drain into the surrounding chest cavity. This procedure is not a treatment for atrial fibrillation.
Choice D rationale
Synchronized electrical cardioversion is a procedure where a controlled electric shock is delivered to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. It is a common and effective treatment for atrial fibrillation, especially when the condition is causing significant symptoms like palpitations, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Liver cirrhosis is the most common cause of esophageal varices and portal hypertension. Cirrhosis leads to scarring of the liver, which impedes blood flow through the portal vein, causing increased pressure (portal hypertension) and the development of collateral blood vessels (varices) as the body attempts to bypass the blockage.
Choice B rationale
Throat lacerations are not related to the development of esophageal varices or portal hypertension. They are typically acute injuries and do not cause the chronic changes seen in the vasculature associated with these conditions.
Choice C rationale
Kyphosis, a curvature of the spine, does not cause esophageal varices or portal hypertension. It is a structural skeletal condition and does not affect the vasculature of the esophagus or the portal venous system.
Choice D rationale
While squamous cell cancer can occur in the esophagus, it is not a typical cause of portal hypertension or esophageal varices. These varices are usually a result of increased pressure in the portal vein, not directly from a malignancy.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Hemorrhage refers to bleeding, which can be a serious complication of peptic ulcer disease but does not lead to the spilling of gastric contents into the peritoneal cavity.
Choice B rationale
Dumping syndrome is a condition where food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine, which can cause symptoms like nausea and abdominal pain, but it does not involve the leakage of gastric contents into the peritoneal cavity.
Choice C rationale
Perforation is the correct answer because it describes a hole forming in the wall of the stomach or duodenum, allowing gastric contents to spill into the peritoneal cavity, leading to peritonitis, which is a severe and life-threatening condition.
Choice D rationale
Gastric outlet obstruction is a blockage at the end of the stomach that prevents contents from entering the small intestine, which can cause vomiting and abdominal pain, but it does not result in the leakage of gastric contents into the peritoneal cavity.
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