A 56-year-old individual visits his primary care provider for a routine checkup.The physical examination reveals edema, an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), and muffled heart sounds.

Which of the following findings should the nurse be most concerned about?

Pulsus paradoxus.

Exudate.

Aneurysm.

Tamponade.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale
Pulsus paradoxus, an exaggerated decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration, can be a sign of several conditions, including pericardial tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Choice B rationale
Exudate, a fluid with a high protein content that leaks out of blood vessels due to inflammation, is not typically associated with the symptoms described.
Choice C rationale
An aneurysm, a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel, could potentially cause the symptoms described, but it is not the most concerning finding given the symptoms of edema, hepatomegaly, and muffled heart sounds.
Choice D rationale
Tamponade, a serious condition in which fluid or blood fills the pericardial sac, compressing the heart and preventing it from pumping effectively, could cause the symptoms described and would be the most concerning finding.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Increasing glomerular filtration would result in increased urine output, not decreased venous return. This action is not directly related to the therapeutic action of nitroglycerin.
Choice B rationale
While enhancing the contractility of the myocardium would increase oxygen delivery, this is not the primary action of nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin primarily works by dilating the blood vessels, which reduces the amount of work the heart has to do and increases the blood supply to the heart muscle.
Choice C rationale
Nitroglycerin does not produce an immediate analgesic effect. While it can relieve chest pain, it does so by increasing blood flow to the heart, not by acting as an analgesic.
Choice D rationale
Nitroglycerin increases the coronary blood supply and decreases the afterload314. By dilating the blood vessels, nitroglycerin reduces the amount of work the heart has to do and increases the blood supply to the heart muscle. This is the primary therapeutic action of nitroglycerin in alleviating chest pain.

A. Pericardiocentesis B. Pericardiectomy C. Heart catheterization D. Thoracotomy .

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Pericardiocentesis is a procedure that uses a needle to remove fluid from the pericardial sac. This procedure can be used to relieve pressure on the heart caused by a large pericardial effusion.
Choice B rationale
A pericardiectomy is a surgical procedure that removes part or all of the pericardium. It is typically used to treat constrictive pericarditis, not pericardial effusion.
Choice C rationale
Heart catheterization involves inserting a long, thin tube (catheter) into a blood vessel and guiding it to the heart. It is typically used to diagnose and treat certain cardiovascular conditions, not pericardial effusion.
Choice D rationale
A thoracotomy is a surgical procedure to gain access to the chest. It is typically used for lung, esophagus, or other chest organ operations, not pericardial effusion.

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A 56-year-old individual visits his primary care provider for a routine checkup.The physical examination reveals edema, an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), and muffled heart sounds. Which of the following findings should the nurse be most concerned about?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is administering nitroglycerin intravenously to alleviate chest pain. What is the therapeutic action of this medication?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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A 56-year-old individual visits his primary care provider for a routine checkup.The physical examination reveals edema, an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), and muffled heart sounds.

Which of the following findings should the nurse be most concerned about?