The nurse is caring for a client with infectious endocarditis. Which information obtained from the health history could have contributed to the development of the disease progress?
Hypertension treated with medications
Prostate surgery six months prior
Use of intravenous substances
Stroke diagnosed one year ago
The Correct Answer is C
A) Hypertension treated with medications
Hypertension (high blood pressure) itself is not a direct cause of infectious endocarditis. While untreated or poorly managed hypertension can contribute to cardiovascular complications, it is not typically a risk factor for developing infectious endocarditis. Infectious endocarditis is more commonly associated with conditions that directly involve the heart valves or blood stream, such as intravenous drug use, prior heart valve disease, or certain invasive procedures.
B) Prostate surgery six months prior
While certain surgeries, such as dental or urinary tract procedures, can increase the risk of infectious endocarditis due to transient bacteremia, prostate surgery by itself is not a major risk factor for this condition. Unless there was a complication during the surgery that resulted in bacteremia (e.g., infection), B is not the most likely contributor to the development of infectious endocarditis.
C) Use of intravenous substances
The use of intravenous (IV) substances, especially illicit drugs, is a major risk factor for the development of infectious endocarditis. Intravenous drug use, particularly when non-sterile needles or contaminated substances are used, can introduce bacteria directly into the bloodstream, leading to bacteremia.
D) Stroke diagnosed one year ago
While a history of stroke may indicate underlying cardiovascular disease or embolic events, it is not directly related to the development of infectious endocarditis. Stroke can occur as a complication of infectious endocarditis, particularly if emboli from infected valves travel to the brain. However, a prior stroke itself does not directly contribute to the development of endocarditis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Monitoring the skin color and turgor:
While monitoring skin color and turgor is important in assessing fluid status and perfusion, it is not the immediate priority following an intracoronary stent insertion. Skin turgor is more useful in assessing dehydration or hypovolemia, but after a stent placement, the priority is to ensure the client is stable hemodynamically and there are no complications such as bleeding or thrombosis at the insertion site.
B) Monitoring the blood pressure every fifteen minutes:
Following an intracoronary stent insertion, it is crucial to monitor the client's blood pressure closely, as this procedure can lead to complications such as bleeding, clot formation, or vessel rupture. Monitoring blood pressure frequently (every 15 minutes initially) helps detect any signs of hypotension or hypertension that may indicate complications like bleeding or a clot.
C) Monitoring the cardiac enzymes every eight hours:
Cardiac enzymes, such as troponin, are typically used to assess myocardial injury and can be elevated in the setting of acute coronary syndrome. However, this is not the immediate priority post-procedure. The primary concern immediately after an intracoronary stent insertion is ensuring hemodynamic stability and preventing complications such as bleeding or thromboembolism, rather than focusing solely on enzyme levels.
D) Performing neurological checks every fifteen minutes:
Neurological checks are important in cases of stroke, neurological compromise, or complications like a clot dislodging. However, in the context of a patient who has just had an intracoronary stent placement, neurological checks are not the immediate priority unless there are signs of neurological symptoms (such as sudden weakness or confusion) that indicate a complication like an embolism or stroke.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Includes the head-to-toe anterior and posterior assessment:
While a head-to-toe physical assessment is important in trauma care, it is not the first priority. The primary assessment focuses on immediate life-threatening conditions, and the head-to-toe assessment would come after the initial stabilization of the patient's airway, breathing, circulation, and disability. A comprehensive physical examination is crucial but secondary to addressing urgent life threats.
B) Focuses on the ABCDE's to identify life-threatening problems:
The ABCDE's (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure) are the primary framework for assessing and stabilizing a trauma patient. This approach is used to identify and prioritize life-threatening problems. It ensures that the most critical issues, such as airway obstruction, respiratory failure, shock, and neurological deficits, are addressed first. This protocol is the gold standard in trauma care and is the most appropriate initial assessment in major trauma.
C) Includes the use of a standard pain scale and past medical/surgical history:
While it is important to assess pain and gather a medical history in the trauma patient, these are secondary considerations after addressing immediate threats to life. Pain management and obtaining a full history are crucial, but they are not as urgent as addressing airway, breathing, and circulation issues. These should be part of a more detailed secondary assessment once the patient is stable.
D) Consists of analyzing the results of the diagnostic testing:
Diagnostic testing, such as imaging studies and lab work, are important but are not the first priority. The primary assessment should focus on the ABCDE's. Diagnostic results are typically analyzed after the patient is stabilized, as they provide additional information but do not address immediate survival needs.
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