A client is scheduled to receive atenolol 25 mg PO and diltiazem 60 mg PO at 0800. The nurse assesses the client's heart rate as 45 beats/minute and irregular. What is the best nursing action at this time?

Document the pulse rate and administer the medications as prescribed

Assess for chest pain and administer atenolol if pain free

Hold the atenolol and administer the diltiazem

Withhold the medications and reassess the heart rate in 30 minutes

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: This is not the best nursing action. Documenting the pulse rate and administering the medications as prescribed may be harmful to the client. Atenolol and diltiazem are both medications that lower the blood pressure and the heart rate. Atenolol is a beta blocker that blocks the effects of adrenaline on the heart and blood vessels. Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes the muscles of the heart and blood vessels. Giving both medications to a client who already has a low and irregular heart rate may cause further bradycardia, which is a heart rate below 60 beats/minute, or arrhythmia, which is an abnormal heart rhythm. The nurse should check the parameters and the contraindications for the medications before administering them.

Choice B reason: This is not the best nursing action. Assessing for chest pain and administering atenolol if pain free may not be appropriate for the client. Chest pain can be a sign of angina or myocardial infarction, which are conditions where the blood flow to the heart is reduced or blocked. Atenolol can help relieve chest pain by reducing the oxygen demand of the heart, but it can also lower the heart rate and the blood pressure. The client already has a low and irregular heart rate, which may indicate a problem with the electrical conduction of the heart. The nurse should not give atenolol without checking the pulse rate and the blood pressure, and consulting the health care provider.

Choice C reason: This is the best nursing action. Holding the atenolol and administering the diltiazem is the most appropriate for the client. Atenolol can lower the heart rate and the blood pressure, which may worsen the client's condition. The nurse should hold the atenolol and notify the health care provider of the client's pulse rate and rhythm. Diltiazem can also lower the heart rate and the blood pressure, but it can also help regulate the heart rhythm by slowing down the electrical impulses in the heart. The nurse should administer the diltiazem as prescribed, and monitor the client's vital signs and cardiac status.

Choice D reason: This is not the best nursing action. Withholding the medications and reassessing the heart rate in 30 minutes may delay the treatment and the care of the client. The client has a low and irregular heart rate, which may indicate a serious cardiac problem that needs immediate attention. The nurse should not wait for 30 minutes to reassess the heart rate, but rather act promptly and notify the health care provider. The nurse should also administer the diltiazem as prescribed, unless there is a specific reason to withhold it.

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Correct Answer is D

No explanation

A. An occlusion of the right coronary artery B. An aneurysm of the descending aorta C. Decreased fluid in the pericardial sac D. Distortion of one or more heart valves

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is not a correct interpretation. An occlusion of the right coronary artery is a blockage of the blood flow to the right side of the heart, which can cause a heart attack or ischemia. This condition does not produce a systolic murmur, but rather chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea. A systolic murmur is a sound that occurs during the contraction of the heart, when the blood flows through a narrowed or leaky valve.

Choice B reason: This is not a correct interpretation. An aneurysm of the descending aorta is a bulging or weakening of the wall of the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the lower body. This condition does not produce a systolic murmur, but rather a pulsating mass in the abdomen, back pain, or abdominal pain. A systolic murmur is a sound that occurs during the contraction of the heart, when the blood flows through a narrowed or leaky valve.

Choice C reason: This is not a correct interpretation. Decreased fluid in the pericardial sac is a condition where the amount of fluid that surrounds and cushions the heart is reduced. This can be caused by dehydration, infection, or inflammation. This condition does not produce a systolic murmur, but rather a pericardial friction rub, which is a scratching or grating sound that occurs when the layers of the pericardium rub against each other. A systolic murmur is a sound that occurs during the contraction of the heart, when the blood flows through a narrowed or leaky valve.

Choice D reason: This is the correct interpretation. Distortion of one or more heart valves is a condition where the shape or function of the valves that regulate the blood flow through the heart is altered. This can be caused by congenital defects, rheumatic fever, endocarditis, or aging. This condition can produce a systolic murmur, which is a sound that occurs during the contraction of the heart, when the blood flows through a narrowed or leaky valve. The location and the intensity of the murmur can help identify which valve is affected. A systolic murmur in the second intercostal space to the right of the sternum can indicate a problem with the aortic valve.

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A client is scheduled to receive atenolol 25 mg PO and diltiazem 60 mg PO at 0800. The nurse assesses the client's heart rate as 45 beats/minute and irregular. What is the best nursing action at this time?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client who has chronic stable angina is being discharged. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the discharge teaching?

Correct Answer is D

The nurse auscultates a systolic murmur in the second intercostal space to the right of the sternum while performing a cardiac assessment on a client. The nurse interprets this finding as:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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