The nurse is monitoring a client in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following a coronary artery bypass graft, observing a regular ventricular rate of 82 beats/min and "sawtooth" P waves with an atrial rate of approximately 300 beat/min. How does the nurse interpret this rhythm?

Ventricular tachycardia

Atrial flutter

Atrial fibrillation

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Ventricular tachycardia presents with wide QRS complexes and a fast ventricular rate, but not sawtooth P waves.
B. Atrial flutter is characterized by a rapid atrial rate (typically around 250–350 beats/min) and "sawtooth" flutter waves on the ECG. The ventricular response is often regular, as seen in this client with a ventricular rate of 82 beats/min.
C. Atrial fibrillation presents with an irregularly irregular rhythm and absent P waves, replaced by fibrillatory waves — not the sawtooth pattern described here.
D. Ventricular fibrillation shows chaotic, irregular, and disorganized electrical activity with no identifiable P waves, QRS complexes, or T waves, and would not present as a stable rhythm with a ventricular rate of 82 bpm.

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

A. Increasing the head of the bed may help ease breathing but does not address the potential cause of the problem.
B. The recovery position is used for unconscious patients to maintain an open airway—not appropriate here.
C. Stopping the infusion of the medication is the first and most critical action. The client is likely experiencing an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to penicillin, and continuing the drug could worsen symptoms.
D. Slowing the infusion does not prevent further reaction and delays stopping the exposure to the allergen.

A. Jugular distention B. Dependent edema C. Hepatomegaly D. Frothy sputum

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Jugular distention is typically associated with right-sided heart failure.
B. Dependent edema is more common in right-sided heart failure due to systemic venous congestion.
C. Hepatomegaly occurs with right-sided heart failure from liver congestion.
D. Frothy sputum is a classic finding in left-sided heart failure due to pulmonary congestion and edema.

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

The nurse is monitoring a client in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following a coronary artery bypass graft, observing a regular ventricular rate of 82 beats/min and "sawtooth" P waves with an atrial rate of approximately 300 beat/min. How does the nurse interpret this rhythm?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client is receiving an initial dose of penicillin IV. During the infusion, the client becomes short of breath. What is the first thing the nurse should do?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has left-sided heart failure. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse notes that a client's cardiac monitor shows that every other beat is earlier than expected, has no visible P wave, and has a QRS complex that is wide and bizarre in shape. How will the nurse document the rhythm?

A nurse is caring for a client who is in the compensatory stage of shock. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A nurse is preparing a client for transfer to the ICU for placement of a pulmonary artery catheter. The nurse should explain to the client that this catheter is used to monitor which of the following conditions?

A nurse is assessing a client who has right ventricular failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

The nurse is monitoring a client in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following a coronary artery bypass graft, observing a regular ventricular rate of 82 beats/min and "sawtooth" P waves with an atrial rate of approximately 300 beat/min. How does the nurse interpret this rhythm?

A nurse is caring for a client who is has developed anaphylactic shock in response to the ingestion of strawberries. Which of the following medications should the nurse administer first?

The nurse notes premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) while suctioning a client's endotracheal tube. Which action by the nurse is a priority?

A nurse is evaluating the central venous pressure (CVP) of a client who has sustained multiple traumas. Which of the following interpretations of a low CVP pressure should the nurse make?