A postoperative patient reports a new pain in the left lower extremity. The nurse notes swelling in the lower leg, which feels warm to the touch. The nurse notifies the MD of the patient's change in condition. Which medication will the RN anticipate giving?

Aspirin

Clopidogrel (Plavix)

Enoxaparin (Lovenox)

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason:
Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication used to prevent blood clots in the arteries but is not the primary treatment for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is likely in this scenario. The patient's symptoms suggest a possible DVT, which requires anticoagulation therapy.

Choice B reason:
Clopidogrel (Plavix) is another antiplatelet medication, similar to aspirin, and is not the primary treatment for DVT. It is more commonly used to prevent clotting in arterial diseases such as coronary artery disease but not for venous thromboembolism.

Choice C reason:
Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a low molecular weight heparin used for the initial treatment of DVT. It is an anticoagulant that helps prevent further clot formation and allows the body to break down the existing clot. Given the patient's symptoms, enoxaparin is the appropriate medication to anticipate for managing DVT.

Choice D reason:
Warfarin (Coumadin) is an oral anticoagulant used for long-term prevention of thromboembolism but is not typically used for initial DVT treatment due to its slow onset of action. Enoxaparin or other forms of heparin are preferred for immediate anticoagulation.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason:
Left ventricular heart failure can cause severe chest pain and elevated cardiac enzymes but is not as directly associated with elevated cardiac troponin levels as a myocardial infarction. The presence of elevated troponin levels specifically indicates myocardial cell injury, which is most consistent with an MI.

Choice B reason:
Unstable angina involves chest pain that is not relieved by rest and may indicate a higher risk for an MI. However, it typically does not result in elevated cardiac troponin levels unless there is actual myocardial damage. Elevated troponin is a marker for myocardial infarction rather than just unstable angina.

Choice C reason:
Myocardial infarction (MI) is the correct answer. Elevated levels of cardiac troponin are a key indicator of myocardial infarction as they reflect heart muscle damage. The patient's severe chest pain and elevated troponin levels strongly suggest that an MI has occurred.

Choice D reason:
Prinzmetal angina, or variant angina, is characterized by chest pain caused by coronary artery spasms. While it can cause significant pain, it does not typically lead to elevated cardiac troponin levels unless it results in myocardial damage, which is less common than in an MI.

A. Arterial emboli from heart valve. B. Atherosclerosis. C. Idiopathic vasospasm. D. Venous emboli.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason:
Arterial emboli from a heart valve are not the most common cause of myocardial ischemia. While emboli can obstruct blood flow and cause ischemia, they are a less common cause compared to atherosclerosis. Embolic events typically result from conditions like atrial fibrillation or valvular heart disease but do not account for the majority of myocardial ischemia cases.

Choice B reason:
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of myocardial ischemia. It involves the buildup of plaque within the coronary arteries, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. This condition is a leading cause of coronary artery disease and is responsible for the majority of myocardial ischemia cases.

Choice C reason:
Idiopathic vasospasm, although a cause of myocardial ischemia, is not as common as atherosclerosis. Vasospasm refers to the sudden constriction of a coronary artery, which can reduce blood flow to the heart muscle. However, it accounts for a smaller percentage of ischemia cases compared to the widespread prevalence of atherosclerosis.

Choice D reason:
Venous emboli are typically associated with conditions such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, affecting the venous circulation rather than the coronary arteries. They do not commonly cause myocardial ischemia, which primarily involves the coronary arteries and arterial blockages.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A postoperative patient reports a new pain in the left lower extremity. The nurse notes swelling in the lower leg, which feels warm to the touch. The nurse notifies the MD of the patient's change in condition. Which medication will the RN anticipate giving?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A 75-year-old male has severe chest pain and dials 911. Lab tests at the hospital reveal elevated levels of cardiac troponin. Based upon the lab findings, the nurse suspects which of the following has occurred:

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

When a patient asks the nurse what is the most common cause of myocardial ischemia, which statement is the correct response?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A patient with a history of atherosclerosis complains of chest pain that is consistent at rest. The pain does not improve after sublingual Nitroglycerin. The likely cause of this pain is:

A 19-year-old presents with abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant. Physical examination reveals rebound tenderness and a low-grade fever. A possible diagnosis would be:

Which condition(s) would cause the nurse to hold a PRN order for magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia)?

A patient was admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and is being treated for hypotension. The primary cause of hypotension is most likely:

Anurse is discussing intravenous Amphotericin B treatment with a nursing student who is about to care for a patient with a systemic fungal infection. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching?

What is the primary cause of hepatic encephalopathy (from chronic liver disease)?

After starting an antiviral protease inhibitor, a patient with HIV telephones the nurse, complaining, "I'm so hungry and thirsty all the time! I'm urinating 10 or 12 times a day." The nurse recognizes these findings to be consistent with: