Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who was admitted with syncopal episodes of unknown origin?

Explain the association between dysrhythmias and syncope.

Tell the patient about the benefits of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Instruct the patient to call for assistance before getting out of bed.

Teach the patient about the need to avoid caffeine and other stimulants.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

For a patient admitted with syncopal (fainting) episodes of unknown origin, the most appropriate action to include in the plan of care is to instruct the patient to call for assistance before getting out of bed.

Syncope can be caused by various factors, including orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon standing) or cardiac-related issues. One of the common triggers for syncopal episodes is getting up from a lying or sitting position too quickly. By instructing the patient to call for assistance before getting out of bed, the nurse aims to prevent falls and potential injuries that may occur due to sudden fainting episodes.

While it's essential to educate the patient about potential causes of syncope (option A) and the benefits of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (option B) if applicable to their condition, these actions may not directly address the immediate safety concern of preventing falls during syncopal episodes.

Option D, teaching the patient about the need to avoid caffeine and other stimulants, may be relevant if stimulants are identified as potential triggers for syncope in this particular patient. However, it is not the most critical action to include in the initial plan of care for a patient with syncopal episodes of unknown origin.

In summary, the top priority for the nurse is to ensure the safety of the patient by instructing them to call for assistance before getting out of bed to prevent falls during syncopal episodes until further evaluation and diagnosis can determine the cause of the fainting episodes.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

When a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy develops new onset atrial fibrillation (AF) that has been unresponsive to drug therapy, the nurse should prioritize patient education about anticoagulant therapy. Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of blood clots forming in the heart's atria due to the irregular and ineffective pumping of blood. These blood clots can potentially travel to other parts of the body, leading to serious complications such as stroke.

Anticoagulant therapy, also known as blood-thinning medication, is commonly prescribed for patients with atrial fibrillation to prevent the formation of blood clots. The most common anticoagulant prescribed for AF is warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) such as apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or edoxaban. The nurse should educate the patient about the importance of taking the anticoagulant as prescribed and the need for regular monitoring of clotting times (INR for warfarin) to ensure the medication is effective and the dose is appropriate.

While other options listed in the choices may be relevant in specific situations, the priority in this case is to address the potential risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation and the importance of anticoagulant therapy to manage that risk effectively.

A. A 50-year-old white female with hypertension B. A 61-year-old Native American male with diabetes C. 40-year-old Hispanic female with cardiovascular disease D. A 28-year-old African American female with a urinary tract infection

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition where the kidneys are damaged or unable to filter blood effectively over time, leading to a gradual loss of kidney function. Several risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing CKD, and among them, diabetes and hypertension are the most common.

Diabetes is a significant risk factor for developing CKD. It can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste and fluid from the blood properly. Native Americans, along with other racial and ethnic minorities, are at a higher risk of developing diabetes compared to the general population.

While hypertension (high blood pressure) is also a risk factor for CKD, diabetes carries a higher risk. However, it's important to note that hypertension is often a comorbidity associated with CKD and can further worsen kidney function when present.

The other options listed (a 50-year-old white female with hypertension, a 40-year-old Hispanic female with cardiovascular disease, and a 28-year-old African American female with a urinary tract infection) are also at risk for CKD, but the 61-year-old Native American male with diabetes is at the highest risk based on the information provided. All patients should be educated about preventive measures to protect their kidney health, but special attention should be given to individuals with diabetes due to its significant impact on kidney function.

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Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who was admitted with syncopal episodes of unknown origin?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient with dilated cardiomyopathy has new onset atrial fibrillation that has been unresponsive to drug therapy for several days. What topic should the nurse plan to include in patient teaching?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Which patient is most likely to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) and should be taught preventive measures by the nurse?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A patient is apneic and has no palpable pulses. The heart monitor shows sinus tachycardia, rate 132. What action should the nurse take next?

The nurse teaches a student nurse about diagnostic studies used for acute coronary syndrome. Which statement made by the student nurse indicates effective learning?

Which topic will the nurse plan to include in discharge teaching for a client who has heart failure with reduced ejection fraction?

Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who was admitted with syncopal episodes of unknown origin?

Which information is most important for the nurse to include when teaching a client newly diagnosed with hypertension?

The assessment findings of a patient with myocardial infarction (MI) include jugular venous distention, weight gain, peripheral edema, and a heart rate of 108/minute. The nurse suspects what complication?