The patient with acute pericarditis is having a pericardiocentesis. What complication should the nurse monitor the patient for?

A. The pacemaker and its leads are implanted in the chest area, and direct blows or trauma to this area can potentially dislodge the leads or damage the pacemaker. Patients should be advised to avoid activities that could result in trauma to the chest to protect the pacemaker and ensure its proper function.
B. Patients are generally advised to avoid lifting the arm on the side of the pacemaker above shoulder level for a period (usually about 4-6 weeks) to prevent complications and ensure proper healing. Early lifting of the arm might dislodge the pacemaker leads or cause other issues. Exercises and range-of- motion activities are typically started under guidance once the initial healing period is over.

C. Modern pacemakers are designed to be shielded against common household electrical appliances, including microwave ovens. Patients with pacemakers do not need to avoid using microwave ovens, as there is no significant risk of interference from these devices.
D. Mild analgesics might be used for discomfort or pain in some cases, but the notion that chest spasms are caused by the pacing current is generally incorrect. Pacemakers are designed to be non-intrusive and should not cause spasm-like sensations if functioning correctly.

A. Hypertrophy of the right ventricle refers to the thickening of the walls of the right ventricle of the heart. Hypertrophy of the right ventricle is not a typical consequence of rheumatic fever. Instead, rheumatic fever more commonly affects the heart valves.
B. Superior vena cava syndrome occurs when there is obstruction of the superior vena cava, which is a major vein that carries blood from the head, neck, and upper body to the heart. It is not a direct consequence of rheumatic fever.
C. Valvular heart disease is a significant long-term consequence of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can cause inflammation of the heart valves, leading to damage that may result in stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage) of the valves. The mitral and aortic valves are most commonly affected. This damage can progress over time and lead to chronic heart problems, including valvular heart disease.
D. Pulmonary hypertension refers to high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. It can be caused by various conditions, including chronic lung diseases and left heart disease. While rheumatic fever primarily affects the heart valves and can potentially lead to heart failure, it is not a direct cause of pulmonary hypertension.