A nurse admits a patient who is experiencing an exacerbation of heart failure. Drag and drop in order of priority actions.

Administer the prescribed intravenous furosemide (Lasix).

Ask the patient about an advanced directive

Assess the client's respiratory status.

Draw blood to assess the patient's serum electrolytes.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C,D,A,B

Choice A reason: Assessing the client's respiratory status is the top priority action. This ensures that any immediate issues with breathing or oxygenation are identified and managed promptly. Respiratory status can quickly deteriorate in patients with heart failure, and addressing this first can be life-saving.

Choice B reason: Drawing blood to assess the patient's serum electrolytes is important to determine any imbalances that need immediate correction. Electrolyte levels can affect heart function and overall stability, so understanding the patient's current status helps guide further treatment.

Choice C reason: Administering the prescribed intravenous furosemide (Lasix) is critical for managing fluid overload in heart failure. Furosemide helps reduce fluid retention and alleviate symptoms such as pulmonary edema, which can improve respiratory status and overall comfort.

Choice D reason: Asking the patient about an advanced directive is important for understanding their wishes and planning care accordingly. However, it is not an immediate priority compared to stabilizing the patient's respiratory status and addressing urgent medical needs.

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 B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Decreased cardiac arrhythmias are not the primary desired effect of dobutamine in heart failure patients. While dobutamine can have some effects on heart rhythm, its main action is to increase the strength of the heart's contractions.

Choice B reason: Increased myocardial contractility is the correct and desired effect of dobutamine. Dobutamine is a positive inotropic agent, meaning it increases the force of the heart's contractions. This is particularly beneficial in heart failure patients as it helps improve cardiac output and the effectiveness of the heart as a pump, thus alleviating symptoms of heart failure and improving organ perfusion.

Choice C reason: Decreased electrical conductivity in the heart is not an effect of dobutamine. In fact, dobutamine can increase the risk of arrhythmias due to its stimulating effects on the heart. The drug works by enhancing the contractility of the heart muscle rather than altering the electrical conduction system.

Choice D reason: Dilated coronary arteries are not a primary effect of dobutamine. While the drug may have some vasodilatory properties, especially at higher doses, its primary role is to enhance myocardial contractility rather than directly dilate the coronary arteries.

A. Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). B. Echocardiography. C. Exercise testing. D. Electrocardiography.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is a procedure used to open narrowed coronary arteries, usually with a balloon or stent. It is not a diagnostic test for assessing heart valves but rather a treatment for coronary artery disease.

Choice B reason: Echocardiography is a non-invasive imaging test that uses ultrasound waves to create detailed images of the heart's structures, including the heart valves. It allows for the assessment of valve function, structure, and blood flow, making it an essential tool for diagnosing valvular heart disease.

Choice C reason: Exercise testing, also known as a stress test, evaluates the heart's response to physical activity. While it can provide information on how well the heart handles increased workload and detect issues like ischemia, it is not specifically used for assessing heart valves.

Choice D reason: Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) records the electrical activity of the heart and is used to detect arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other cardiac conditions. However, it does not provide detailed information about the heart valves' structure or function.

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 nurse admits a patient who is experiencing an exacerbation of heart failure. Drag and drop in order of priority actions.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with acute heart failure is receiving dobutamine. What is the desired effect of this drug in a patient with heart failure?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The healthcare provider recommends to a patient that diagnostic testing be performed to assess for valvular heart disease. The nurse teaches the patient about which test that is commonly used to assess the valves?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

In a patient with septic shock, which complication will the nurse remain alert for?

A nurse cares for a patient who has cirrhosis of the liver. What action would the nurse take to decrease the presence of ascites?

A nurse cares for a patient who has a heart rate averaging 54 beats/min with no adverse symptoms. Which activity modification would the nurse suggest to avoid further slowing of the heart rate?

What condition does the nurse suspect when a patient involved in a motor vehicle accident arrives at the emergency department with ecchymosis behind the ears and bleeding from the ears?

The nurse is instructing the client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to maintain adequate nutritional intake. Which diet would be most appropriate?

The nurse correlates which rationale with the administration of aspirin to the client experiencing angina-like chest pain?

A nurse is caring for a client in acute respiratory failure who is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which of the following assessments is the best method to determine the effectiveness of the current treatments?

A nurse cares for a patient recovering from mechanical valve replacement surgery. The patient asks, "Why will I need to take anticoagulants for the rest of my life?" What is the best response by the nurse?