After the shift change, which patient in the emergency department should the nurse prioritize for assessment?

A 39-year-old patient experiencing tenderness and swelling in the right calf following a flight.

A 58-year-old patient on anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation presenting with black stools.

A 67-year-old patient with a gangrenous foot ulcer and a weak pedal pulse.

A 50-year-old patient reporting sudden, severe upper back pain.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale
A 39-year-old patient experiencing tenderness and swelling in the right calf following a flight may be experiencing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism if not treated. However, DVT is not immediately life-threatening in most cases.
Choice B rationale
A 58-year-old patient on anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation presenting with black stools is likely experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding, a common side effect of anticoagulant therapy. This can lead to severe blood loss, anemia, and hypovolemic shock, which can be life-threatening if not promptly addressed. Therefore, this patient should be prioritized for assessment.
Choice C rationale
A 67-year-old patient with a gangrenous foot ulcer and a weak pedal pulse likely has peripheral artery disease and an infection that could lead to sepsis if not treated. However, while this condition needs medical attention, it is not as immediately life-threatening as gastrointestinal bleeding.
Choice D rationale
A 50-year-old patient reporting sudden, severe upper back pain could be experiencing a number of conditions, ranging from musculoskeletal strain to aortic dissection. While an aortic dissection is a medical emergency, without additional symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness, this patient is not the highest priority.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Stable angina is characterized by chest pain that occurs with exertion and is relieved by rest. If a patient with angina pectoris is experiencing chest pain at rest and needs to take three nitroglycerin pills to relieve the pain, this is not typical of stable angina.
Choice B rationale
A full-blown acute myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack, typically presents with severe chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. While chest pain at rest could be a symptom of an MI, other symptoms would likely be present.
Choice C rationale
Unstable angina is characterized by chest pain that occurs at rest, is severe and prolonged, and is not relieved by nitroglycerin. Therefore, a patient with angina pectoris who is experiencing chest pain at rest and needs to take three nitroglycerin pills to relieve the pain could be experiencing unstable angina.
Choice D rationale
Pulmonary embolus, a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, typically presents with sudden-onset shortness of breath, chest pain that may become worse upon deep breathing or coughing, and other symptoms. Chest pain at rest could be a symptom of a pulmonary embolus, but other symptoms would likely be present.

A. Cyanosis and hypoxia B. High-pitched cry and dyspnea C. Leg pain and twitching D. Epistaxis and anemia

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart condition that presents with a combination of four defects in the structure of the heart. The most common symptoms in a newborn with this condition include cyanosis (bluish color of the skin due to reduced oxygen in the blood) and hypoxia (low levels of oxygen in the body)34567.
Choice B rationale
While a high-pitched cry can be a sign of distress in a newborn, it is not specifically associated with tetralogy of Fallot. Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) can occur in severe cases, but it is not one of the primary symptoms of this condition.
Choice C rationale
Leg pain and twitching are not typical symptoms of tetralogy of Fallot. These symptoms could be indicative of other conditions, but they are not associated with this specific congenital heart defect.
Choice D rationale
Epistaxis (nosebleeds) and anemia are not typical symptoms of tetralogy of Fallot. While these conditions can occur in children for various reasons, they are not directly related to this specific congenital heart defect.

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After the shift change, which patient in the emergency department should the nurse prioritize for assessment?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient with angina pectoris is experiencing chest pain at rest and needs to take three nitroglycerin (NTG) pills to relieve the pain. What should the nurse consider this as a major symptom of?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A newborn child has been diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot. What symptoms would the nurse expect to observe in this child?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A patient is being admitted to the emergency department with intermittent chest pain. They provide a list of daily medications. Which medication from the list has the most immediate implications for the patient’s care?

When teaching clients in a community-based setting strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease, which interventions should the nurse include?

If a patient diagnosed with hypertension is prescribed Propranolol (Inderal), what patient history should prompt the nurse to consult with the healthcare provider before administering this drug?

Which antihypertensive medication is not recommended for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma?

As a nurse in a community-based setting, you are educating clients on strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease. Which interventions should you include? (Select all that apply)

When preparing a patient for a cardiac catheterization and coronary angiogram, which piece of information about the patient is crucial for the nurse to relay to the healthcare provider prior to the procedure?

For a patient recovering from an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who inquires about safely resuming sexual intercourse, what would be the best response from the nurse?