A client with a recent exacerbation of heart failure reports to the nurse feeling uncomfortable and anxious, with a sensation of the flopping in the chest. While waiting for an electrocardiogram (ECG), which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Volume of pedal pulses.

Length of capillary refill.

Rhythm of apical pulse.

Degree of skin elasticity.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Rationale

A. In heart failure exacerbation, decreased cardiac output can lead to poor peripheral perfusion, potentially manifesting as weak or diminished pedal pulses. However, in the context of acute symptoms such as palpitations or chest discomfort, assessing the rhythm and rate of central pulses (like the apical pulse) may be more immediate and informative.

B. Capillary refill time assesses peripheral perfusion and can indicate circulatory status. Prolonged capillary refill (>2 seconds) may indicate poor perfusion, which could occur in heart failure exacerbation due to reduced cardiac output. It is a valuable assessment, but in this scenario, focusing on more central aspects such as the heart rhythm is typically more immediate.

C. Assessing the rhythm of the apical pulse is crucial in this scenario. The client's sensation of "flopping" in the chest suggests palpitations or irregular heartbeats, which could indicate arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or other dysrhythmias.

D. Skin elasticity primarily assesses hydration status and may provide information about overall skin integrity but is less directly related to the acute symptoms described by the client. While important in general assessments, it does not directly address the urgent need to assess for arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Rationale

A. A living will often includes directives regarding life-sustaining treatments, including intubation. If the living will explicitly states a preference against intubation, the nurse should ensure this information is known to the healthcare team. However, a living will does not automatically imply a DNR status unless specifically stated.

B. When a living will is presented, and decisions need to be made regarding life-sustaining treatments like intubation, it is appropriate to facilitate a family meeting. In this meeting, the healthcare team, including palliative care specialists if available, can discuss the client's wishes as outlined in the living will. The goal is to ensure everyone understands the client's preferences and to make informed decisions about the course of treatment.

C. The nurse should notify the attending healthcare provider about the existence of the client's living will and its directives regarding medical interventions such as intubation. The healthcare provider needs to be aware of the client's wishes to guide the decision-making process and ensure appropriate care is provided according to the client's preferences.

D. It is crucial to ensure that the living will, once verified and certified as authentic, is placed in the client's medical record. This document serves as a legal and ethical guide for healthcare decisions, especially during critical situations like an exacerbation requiring intubation.

Correct Answer is ["12.5"]

Explanation

To calculate the dosage of amoxicillin suspension to be administered every 8 hours, one must first determine the total daily dosage in milligrams. Since 1 gram equals 1000 milligrams, 1.5 grams is equivalent to 1500 milligrams. This total daily dosage needs to be divided into three doses, as it will be administered every 8 hours.

Therefore, each dose will be 1500 mg divided by 3, which equals 500 mg per dose. The medication bottle states that there are 200 mg of amoxicillin in every 5 mL of suspension. To find out how many mL correspond to a 500 mg dose, set up a proportion: 200 mg/5 mL = 500 mg/x mL. Solving for x gives x = (500 mg * 5 mL) / 200 mg, which equals 12.5 mL

Therefore, the nurse should administer 12.5 mL of the amoxicillin suspension every 8 hours.

View Question and Answer

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

A client with a recent exacerbation of heart failure reports to the nurse feeling uncomfortable and anxious, with a sensation of the flopping in the chest. While waiting for an electrocardiogram (ECG), which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer is ["12.5"]

Explanation

The nurse is providing teaching to a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus about important points for disease and symptom management. Which response by the client indicates understanding?

The nurse is caring for a client with the sexually transmitted infection (STI) syphilis. The client reports having unprotected sex. Which response should the nurse provide?

A newly hired unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is assigned to a home healthcare team along with two experienced UAPS. Which intervention should the home health nurse implement to ensure adequate care for all clients?

After an unsuccessful resuscitation attempt, the nurse calls the family of the deceased. The family wish to see the body before it is taken to the funeral home. Which intervention(s) should the nurse take to prepare the body before the family enters the room? Select all that apply.

The nurse has reviewed the client's chart. Exhibits Choose the most likely options for the information missing from the statement(s) by selecting from the lists of options provided. The nurse recognizes that this client is dropdown due to dropdown

The healthcare provider prescribes the antibiotic cefdinir 300 mg PO every 12 hours for a client with a postoperative wound infection. Which foods should the nurse encourage this client to eat?