A nurse in a cardiac care unit is caring for a client with acute right-sided heart failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Increased pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP).

Elevated central venous pressure (CVP).

Decreased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).

Decreased specific gravity

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Right-sided heart failure is a condition in which the right ventricle fails to pump blood eﬀectively to the lungs, causing a backup of blood in the systemic circulation. This leads to increased pressure in the right atrium and the vena cava, which can be measured by the central venous pressure (CVP). A normal CVP is 2 to 6 mm Hg, but in right-sided heart failure, it can rise above 10 mm Hg. Symptoms of right-sided heart failure include peripheral edema, jugular venous distension, hepatomegaly, ascites, and weight gain.

a. Increased pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). This statement is incorrect because it describes a finding of left-sided heart failure, not right-sided heart failure. Left-sided heart failure is a condition in which the left ventricle fails to pump blood eﬀectively to the systemic circulation, causing a backup of blood in the pulmonary circulation. This leads to increased pressure in the left atrium and the pulmonary capillaries, which can be measured by the pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). A normal PAWP is 6 to 12 mm Hg, but in left-sided heart failure, it can rise above 18 mm Hg. Symptoms of left-sided heart failure include dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, crackles in the lungs, and pink frothy sputum.

c. Decreased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). This statement is incorrect because it describes a finding of normal or reduced cardiac function, not heart failure. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone secreted by the cardiac cells in response to increased stretch and pressure in the ventricles. It acts as a diuretic and a vasodilator, lowering blood volume and blood pressure. BNP is used as a biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring heart failure, as it reﬂects the degree of ventricular dysfunction. A normal BNP level is less than 100 pg/mL, but in heart failure, it can rise above 400 pg/mL.

d. Decreased specific gravity. This statement is incorrect because it describes a finding of dilute urine, not concentrated urine. Specific gravity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in urine, reﬂecting the ability of the kidneys to regulate ﬂuid balance. A normal specific gravity is 1.005 to 1.030, but it can vary depending on ﬂuid intake and output, hydration status, and renal function. In right-sided heart failure, ﬂuid retention and reduced renal perfusion can cause oliguria and increased specific gravity of urine.

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

The priority nursing action is to notify the provider of the client's allergy because shellfish allergy may indicate an allergy to iodine, which is commonly used as a contrast dye in cardiac catheterization. This could cause a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis during the procedure, which could be life-threatening. The provider may need to order a diﬀerent type of contrast dye or premedicate the client with antihistamines or steroids to prevent an allergic reaction.

a. Ask the client if any other foods cause such a reaction is wrong because it is not the priority action and it does not address the potential risk of iodine allergy.

c. Notify the dietary department of the client's allergy is wrong because it is not relevant to the cardiac catheterization and it does not prevent an allergic reaction during the procedure.

d. Atach a wrist band indicating the client's allergy is wrong because it is not sufficient to alert the provider or the catheterization team of the client's allergy and it does not prevent an allergic reaction during the procedure.

A. Avoid taking the medication prior to exercising. B. Stop taking the medication and notify your provider if you develop a headache. C. Place the tablet under your tongue, and then take a small sip of water. D. The medication can take up to 15 minutes to take eﬀect.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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 in a cardiac care unit is caring for a client with acute right-sided heart failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse asks a client who is about to have a cardiac catheterization about any allergies. The client states, "I always get a rash when I eat shellfish." Which of the following is the priority nursing action?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is providing instructions to a client who has a new prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) to treat angina pectoris. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has had a hemorrhagic stroke following a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

A nurse is preparing to administer total parenteral nutrition (TPN) 1800 mL to infuse over 24 hr. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

A home health nurse is making a home visit to a client who takes a daily diuretic for heart failure. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse identify as indicating the client is hypokalemic?

A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has left-sided heart failure. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse expect?

A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who took 3 nitroglycerin tablets sublingually for chest pain. The client reports relief from the chest pain but now he is experiencing a headache. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

A nurse is caring for a client who has congestive heart failure and is taking digoxin daily. The client refused breakfast and is complaining of nausea and weakness. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A nurse is caring for a client who has peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Which of the following symptoms should the nurse expect to find in the early stage of the disease?