Which of these interventions should be the highest priority when caring for a patient with suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture?
Obtaining a STAT electrocardiogram
Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter
Increasing cardiac contractility
Maintaining blood pressure
The Correct Answer is D
A. Obtaining a STAT electrocardiogram: While obtaining an electrocardiogram (ECG) can be important in evaluating a patient's cardiac status, it is not the highest priority in the context of suspected AAA rupture. Immediate management focuses on stabilizing the patient and addressing potential hemorrhagic shock.
B. Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter: Inserting a urinary catheter may be necessary for monitoring urine output, but it is not the immediate priority when managing a suspected AAA rupture. The focus should be on life-threatening conditions first.
C. Increasing cardiac contractility: Increasing cardiac contractility may be relevant in some clinical situations, but it does not directly address the urgent need to maintain hemodynamic stability and prevent shock in a patient with suspected AAA rupture.
D. Maintaining blood pressure: Maintaining blood pressure is the highest priority intervention in this scenario. Patients with a suspected AAA rupture are at high risk for hypovolemic shock due to internal bleeding. Ensuring adequate blood pressure is critical to perfusing vital organs and stabilizing the patient before surgical intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A woman presenting with malaise, lethargy, and copious nasal secretions: These symptoms are more indicative of a common cold or viral upper respiratory infection. While nasal secretions can occur in rhinosinusitis, the absence of facial pain or pressure suggests a cold rather than sinus involvement.
B. A man with a dry, stuffy nasopharynx, a sore throat, and temperature of 98.9°F: This presentation is typical of a common cold or upper respiratory infection. The symptoms of a dry, stuffy nasopharynx and sore throat are not specifically indicative of rhinosinusitis, which usually involves more pronounced nasal and facial symptoms.
C. A man complaining of general fatigue, a headache, and facial pain with a temperature of 100.9°F: This combination of symptoms strongly suggests rhinosinusitis. The presence of facial pain, headache, and fever indicates inflammation and infection of the sinuses, which is characteristic of rhinosinusitis rather than a common cold.
D. A woman complaining of generalized aches and who has a hoarse voice and reddened, painful upper airways: These symptoms align more closely with a viral upper respiratory infection or laryngitis. The absence of specific sinus-related symptoms such as facial pain or nasal obstruction makes rhinosinusitis less likely in this case.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Septal: Septal cardiomyopathy typically refers to abnormalities in the interventricular septum and does not specifically address the rigidity and noncompliance of the myocardium that affects diastolic filling.
B. Restrictive: Restrictive cardiomyopathy is characterized by a rigid and noncompliant myocardium that impedes ventricular filling during diastole. This results in elevated pressures in the ventricles and may lead to heart failure symptoms due to poor filling capacity.
C. Infiltrative: Infiltrative cardiomyopathy involves the deposition of abnormal substances (such as amyloid or sarcoid) within the myocardial tissue, which can lead to stiffness. While this may contribute to restrictive physiology, "restrictive" is the more precise term for the condition described.
D. Hypertrophic: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, particularly the left ventricle. While this condition can affect diastolic filling, it is primarily due to muscle hypertrophy rather than rigidity and noncompliance of the myocardium.
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