The nurse is reviewing the laboratory test results for a patient who has recently been diagnosed with hypertension. Which result is most important to communicate to the health care provider?

Serum hemoglobin of 14.7 g/dL.

Blood glucose level of 96 mg/dL.

Serum potassium of 4.5 mEq/L.

Serum creatinine of 2.8 mg/dL. .

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale
Serum hemoglobin of 14.7 g/dL is within the normal range for adults, which is typically 12.0 to
16.0 g/dL for women and 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. While it’s important to monitor hemoglobin levels, a value of 14.7 g/dL does not raise immediate concerns related to hypertension.
Choice B rationale
A blood glucose level of 96 mg/dL is considered normal. The normal range for fasting blood glucose is between 70 and 100 mg/dL1. Blood glucose levels are important to monitor, especially in patients with diabetes, but a value of 96 mg/dL is not immediately concerning in the context of hypertension.
Choice C rationale
A serum potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L is within the normal range, which is typically 3.6 to 5.2 mEq/L1. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate heart and muscle contractions and maintain fluid balance in the body. While it’s important to monitor potassium levels, a value of 4.5 mEq/L does not raise immediate concerns related to hypertension.
Choice D rationale
A serum creatinine level of 2.8 mg/dL is high. Creatinine is a waste product that’s produced by your muscles and filtered out of your blood by your kidneys. High levels of creatinine can indicate that the kidneys aren’t working properly, which can be a complication of hypertension. Therefore, this result is the most important to communicate to the healthcare provider.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Vasotec, an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, is commonly used to treat conditions like high blood pressure and heart failure. It works by relaxing blood vessels, which allows blood to flow more easily and reduces blood pressure.
Choice B rationale
Decreased urine output is not a typical outcome of taking Vasotec. In fact, ACE inhibitors like Vasotec can sometimes increase urine output by improving kidney function.
Choice C rationale
Increased appetite is not a known effect of Vasotec. If a patient experiences a significant change in appetite while taking this medication, they should consult their healthcare provider.
Choice D rationale
Increased fluid retention is not a typical outcome of taking Vasotec. ACE inhibitors like Vasotec are often used to help reduce fluid retention in patients with conditions like heart failure.

A. A 59-year-old patient with unstable angina who has just returned from a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). B. A 56-year-old patient with variant angina due to receive nifedipine (Procardia). C. A 65-year-old patient who had a myocardial infarction (MI) 4 days ago and is anxious about discharge planned for today. D. A 39-year-old patient with pericarditis complaining of sharp, stabbing chest pain.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
A 59-year-old patient with unstable angina who has just returned from a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) should be prioritized for assessment. PCI is a procedure to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries and can lead to complications such as re-occlusion of the artery or bleeding from the catheter insertion site. Furthermore, unstable angina is a condition that can progress to myocardial infarction if not managed effectively.
Choice B rationale
A 56-year-old patient with variant angina due to receive nifedipine (Procardia) requires monitoring, but is not the highest priority. Variant angina is a form of angina that occurs at rest, often with severe pain, but it is usually well-controlled with medications like nifedipine.
Choice C rationale
A 65-year-old patient who had a myocardial infarction (MI) 4 days ago and is anxious about discharge planned for today is a lower priority for assessment. While it’s important to address the patient’s anxiety and provide education about post-discharge care, this patient is not in immediate danger.
Choice D rationale
A 39-year-old patient with pericarditis complaining of sharp, stabbing chest pain requires assessment, but is not the highest priority. Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the sac-like covering of the heart, and while it can cause severe pain, it is not typically life- threatening.

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The nurse is reviewing the laboratory test results for a patient who has recently been diagnosed with hypertension. Which result is most important to communicate to the health care provider?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

What positive outcome should a nurse anticipate in a patient taking Vasotec, an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

After receiving the shift change report about four patients in the cardiac care unit, which patient should the nurse prioritize for assessment?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

What patient data would indicate to the nurse that the infusion of a thrombolytic agent should be stopped in a patient with an acute myocardial infarction?

A patient who has been experiencing chest pain for several hours is admitted with a diagnosis of rule out acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Which laboratory test is most specific for the nurse to monitor in determining whether the patient has had an AMI?

A 49-year-old male presents with chest pain. An EKG reveals ST elevation, and he is diagnosed with myocardial ischemia. Which of the following interventions would be most beneficial for this patient?

A patient has been admitted to the coronary care unit (CCU) with an ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The patient is restless, anxious, has a blood pressure of 86/40 mm Hg, and a heart rate of 132 beats/min. What is the priority problem for this patient?

Which patient statement would help the nurse confirm a previous diagnosis of chronic stable angina?

A patient with severe pericarditis has developed a large pericardial effusion and is symptomatic. What type of procedure should the physician order to help treat this condition?

In the context of a patient undergoing IV furosemide (Lasix) treatment for hypertension, which observation is most crucial to communicate to the healthcare provider?

When caring for a client who has developed cardiac tamponade, what assessments should the nurse expect to find?