A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has atrial fibrillation and reports dizziness and palpitations. Which of the following should the nurse understand is the cause of these manifestations?
The heart's electrical transmission through the atrioventricular (AV) node is unusually slow.
The heart's electrical signals are rapid, chaotic, and irregular.
An early electrical signal occurs before the expected sinoatrial (SA) node signal.
The SA node sends an electrical signal greater than 100/min.
The Correct Answer is B
A. The heart's electrical transmission through the atrioventricular (AV) node is unusually slow: This statement does not align with the manifestations of dizziness and palpitations in atrial fibrillation. A slow conduction through the AV node would typically manifest as bradycardia or heart block rather than rapid and irregular palpitations.
B. The heart's electrical signals are rapid, chaotic, and irregular: This is the correct answer. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by rapid, chaotic, and irregular electrical signals in the atria, leading to ineffective atrial contractions and an irregular ventricular response. The irregularity and rapidity of the heart rate can lead to symptoms such as palpitations and dizziness.
C. An early electrical signal occurs before the expected sinoatrial (SA) node signal: This statement does not accurately describe the mechanism of atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation involves disorganized electrical activity in the atria, rather than a single early electrical signal.
D. The SA node sends an electrical signal greater than 100/min: While a heart rate greater than 100/min (tachycardia) is commonly associated with atrial fibrillation, this statement does not fully explain the manifestations of dizziness and palpitations. These symptoms are more directly related to the irregularity and chaotic nature of the heart's electrical signals in atrial fibrillation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Hypovolemic shock: Hypovolemic shock occurs due to a significant decrease in circulating blood volume, leading to inadequate tissue perfusion. Blood loss, such as that experienced by the client in the scenario, is a common cause of hypovolemic shock. The decrease in blood pressure observed over time is consistent with the compensatory mechanisms of hypovolemic shock, where the body attempts to maintain perfusion to vital organs despite decreased blood volume.
B. Septic shock: Septic shock results from a systemic inflammatory response to infection, leading to vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and maldistribution of blood flow. While infection can lead to hypovolemia in some cases, the scenario does not provide evidence of infection or systemic inflammatory response as the cause of shock.
C. Obstructive shock: Obstructive shock occurs when there is obstruction to blood flow within the cardiovascular system, such as in cases of pulmonary embolism, cardiac tamponade, or tension pneumothorax. There is no evidence in the scenario to suggest an obstruction to blood flow as the cause of the client's shock.
D. Neurogenic shock: Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic tone leading to vasodilation and relative hypovolemia. It is often associated with spinal cord injury or severe head injury. While neurogenic shock can lead to hypotension, the scenario does not indicate any neurological injury or insult as the cause of the client's shock.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Ask the client to move their eyes side to side while keeping their head still: This action helps assess if movement exacerbates the client's tinnitus. Tinnitus that worsens with eye movement suggests a potential vascular cause, as the blood vessels surrounding the auditory nerve may be affected. This maneuver is known as the Valsalva maneuver and can help identify vascular issues contributing to tinnitus.
B. Ask the client to breathe in through pursed lips: Breathing through pursed lips is a technique used to help manage shortness of breath and is not directly related to assessing tinnitus or its exacerbating factors.
C. Ask the client to pull the pinna of their ears up and back: Pulling the pinna of the ears up and back is a maneuver commonly performed during otoscopic examination to straighten the ear canal for better visualization of the tympanic membrane. It is not directly relevant to assessing tinnitus or its exacerbating factors.
D. Ask the client to open their mouth widely: Opening the mouth widely is not typically associated with exacerbating tinnitus. This action is more relevant for assessing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction or other oral conditions but is not specific to tinnitus assessment.
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