A nurse is caring for a client in a critical care unit who is 4 hours post operative coronary artery bypass surgery. The nurse performs the reassessment and suspects the client may be developing a pericardial effusion. What assessment findings would the nurse note in this case?
Diminished breath sounds
Increased blood pressure
Diminished heart sounds
New systolic murmur
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Diminished breath sounds are not typically associated with a pericardial effusion.
B. Increased blood pressure is not typically associated with a pericardial effusion but it can instead result in hypotension due to decreased cardiac output due to compression of the heart by the accumulated fluid.
C. The heart sounds may become faint or distant due to fluid accumulation around the heart.
D. A new systolic murmur may indicate a pericardial effusion and should be further evaluated.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for the development of hypertension.
B. Benazepril is an antihypertensive medication and is not a risk factor for hypertension.
C. A high HDL level is a protective factor against the development of hypertension.
D. A regular exercise routine is a protective factor against the development of hypertension.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Looking for P waves is important for assessing atrial activity, but it does not directly calculate heart rate.
B. Counting how many QRS complexes occur in a 6-second strip and multiplying by 10 is a quick and accurate way to calculate heart rate.
C. Reading the monitor or ECG interpretation provides information about the rhythm and morphology of the heart, but it does not directly calculate heart rate.
D. Measuring T waves is important for assessing cardiac repolarization, but it does not directly calculate heart rate.
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