A client has a normal cardiac rhythm and a heart rate of 72 beats/minute. The nurse determines the P-R interval is 0.20 seconds. The most appropriate intervention by the nurse would be to
Notify the health care provider immediately.
Document the finding and continue to monitor the patient.
Prepare the patient for temporary pacemaker insertion.
Give atropine per agency dysrhythmia protocol.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Notifying the health care provider immediately is not necessary, as the PR interval is at the upper limit of normal (0.20 seconds) and the client is stable.
B. Document the finding and continue to monitor the patient – A PR interval of 0.20 seconds with a normal heart rate and rhythm does not require intervention; just ongoing observation.
C. Prepare the patient for temporary pacemaker insertion – This is used for serious conduction blocks or symptomatic bradycardia, which are not present here.
D. Give atropine per agency dysrhythmia protocol – Atropine is used for symptomatic bradycardia, which this client does not exhibit.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Increasing the head of the bed may help ease breathing but does not address the potential cause of the problem.
B. The recovery position is used for unconscious patients to maintain an open airway—not appropriate here.
C. Stopping the infusion of the medication is the first and most critical action. The client is likely experiencing an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to penicillin, and continuing the drug could worsen symptoms.
D. Slowing the infusion does not prevent further reaction and delays stopping the exposure to the allergen.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Ventricular tachycardia is a run of three or more consecutive ventricular beats at a rapid rate, not every other beat.
B. Multifocal premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) arise from different ventricular foci and have different shapes, but this scenario describes uniform shape and consistent pattern.
C. Ventricular couplets are two consecutive PVCs, not a pattern where every other beat is abnormal.
D. Ventricular bigeminy is the correct term for a rhythm in which every other beat is a premature ventricular contraction (PVC). These PVCs typically have no visible P wave and a wide, bizarre QRS complex, matching the description given.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
