A patient is having frequent premature ventricular contractions.
The nurse would place priority on assessment of which information?
Causative factors, such as caffeine
Sensation of fluttering or palpitations
Blood pressure and Oxygen saturation
Precipitation factors, such as infection .
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
While it's important to assess for potential causative factors of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), such as caffeine intake, it's not the immediate priority in this scenario.
The nurse's primary focus should be on assessing the patient's hemodynamic stability and oxygenation status, as frequent PVCs can compromise cardiac function and lead to serious complications.
Assessment of causative factors can be done subsequently, once the patient's immediate physiological needs have been addressed.
Choice B rationale:
The patient's subjective experience of palpitations or fluttering is valuable information, but it doesn't provide objective data about their cardiovascular status.
The nurse needs to prioritize objective assessment of vital signs, such as blood pressure and oxygen saturation, to evaluate the patient's hemodynamic stability and oxygenation.
Subjective symptoms can be further explored after obtaining objective data.
Choice D rationale:
Precipitating factors, such as infection, can contribute to PVCs, but they are not the immediate priority in this case.
The nurse's focus should be on assessing the patient's current cardiovascular status and ensuring their stability.
Investigation of potential precipitating factors can be done later, as part of a comprehensive assessment and management plan.
Choice C rationale:
Blood pressure and oxygen saturation are the most crucial parameters to assess in a patient with frequent PVCs.
Here's why:
Blood pressure: PVCs can disrupt the normal rhythm of the heart, potentially leading to a decrease in cardiac output and hypotension.
Hypotension can compromise perfusion to vital organs, such as the brain and kidneys, and can be a sign of hemodynamic instability.
Therefore, it's essential to monitor the patient's blood pressure closely.
Oxygen saturation: PVCs can also impair the heart's ability to pump blood effectively, which can lead to decreased oxygen delivery to the tissues.
This can result in hypoxemia, which can further worsen cardiac function and cause other complications.
Monitoring oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry is crucial to ensure adequate oxygenation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Clearance of partially occluded coronary arteries is not a primary goal of catheter ablation therapy. This procedure is not designed to remove blockages in the coronary arteries. Instead, it focuses on targeting and disrupting abnormal electrical signals within the heart.
While coronary artery disease (CAD) can coexist with heart rhythm problems, and both may share risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol, catheter ablation specifically addresses electrical disturbances, not structural blockages in blood vessels.
Procedures like angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are used to address coronary artery blockages.
Choice B rationale:
Resetting of the heart’s contractility is not the primary mechanism of catheter ablation. While the procedure can sometimes improve heart function by reducing abnormal heart rhythms, its primary aim is to eliminate the abnormal electrical signals that cause arrhythmias, not directly enhance the heart's pumping ability.
Medications like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers are often used to address contractility issues.
Choice C rationale:
Destruction of specific cardiac cells is the correct answer. Catheter ablation works by using energy (usually radiofrequency or cryoablation) to destroy small areas of heart tissue that are responsible for generating or conducting abnormal electrical signals.
By targeting these specific cells, the procedure can interrupt the pathways that cause arrhythmias, effectively eliminating or significantly reducing their occurrence.
This targeted approach is what distinguishes catheter ablation from medications, which often act on the entire heart rather than specific areas.
Choice D rationale:
Correction of structural cardiac abnormalities is not a goal of catheter ablation. This procedure is designed to address electrical problems within the heart, not structural defects like valve problems or holes in the heart walls.
Surgical procedures are typically used to correct structural abnormalities.
Correct Answer is ["A","B"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Enlarged waist circumference is a significant risk factor for metabolic syndrome. Excess abdominal fat, particularly visceral fat that accumulates around the organs, is strongly linked to insulin resistance, a hallmark of metabolic syndrome.
Visceral fat cells are metabolically active, releasing inflammatory substances and free fatty acids that can impair insulin's ability to regulate blood sugar levels. This leads to elevated blood glucose levels, a key feature of metabolic syndrome.
Research consistently demonstrates a strong correlation between waist circumference and metabolic syndrome. Studies have shown that even a modest increase in waist circumference can significantly increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Waist circumference is a simple and non-invasive measurement that can be used to assess abdominal obesity and identify individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome.
Choice B rationale:
Elevated systolic blood pressure (greater than 130 mmHg) is another key risk factor for metabolic syndrome. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications.
Multiple mechanisms contribute to the link between hypertension and metabolic syndrome:
Insulin resistance can lead to increased sodium retention by the kidneys, which can raise blood pressure.
Excess weight and obesity can also contribute to hypertension by increasing blood volume and placing strain on the heart.
Metabolic syndrome is often associated with chronic inflammation, which can damage blood vessels and further contribute to hypertension. Choice C rationale:
Decreased triglyceride level is not a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. In fact, elevated triglycerides are one of the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome.
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. High levels of triglycerides can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Choice D rationale:
Elevated HDL levels are not a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. HDL cholesterol, often referred to as "good" cholesterol, helps to remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and protect against heart disease.
Low HDL levels are a common feature of metabolic syndrome and contribute to its associated cardiovascular risks.
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