A nurse is caring for a client in a critical care unit who is 4 hours post-operative coronary artery bypass surgery. The nurse performs the reassessment and suspects the client may be developing a pericardial effusion. What assessment findings would the nurse note in this case?
New systolic murmur
Diminished breath sounds
Diminished heart sounds
Increased blood pressure
The Correct Answer is C
A. A new systolic murmur is more indicative of valvular dysfunction or a septal defect rather than pericardial effusion.
B. Diminished breath sounds may be associated with atelectasis or pleural effusion but are not a hallmark finding of pericardial effusion.
C. Diminished heart sounds occur due to fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, which muffles heart tones and is a key sign of pericardial effusion.
D. Increased blood pressure is not characteristic of pericardial effusion. Instead, pericardial effusion can lead to cardiac tamponade, which typically causes hypotension.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"B","dropdown-group-2":"D"}
Explanation
- D-dimer is a blood test used to detect fibrin degradation products, which are elevated in conditions involving clot formation, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Venous duplex ultrasound is the gold standard for diagnosing DVT, as it provides real-time imaging of blood flow and clot presence in the veins.
- Prothrombin time is a coagulation test used to assess clotting function but does not confirm DVT.
- Chest X-ray is not used to diagnose DVT but may be ordered if a pulmonary embolism (PE) is suspected.
Correct Answer is []
Explanation
- Myocardial infarction (MI) is suggested by chest pain radiating to the left arm, diaphoresis, shortness of breath, and epigastric discomfort. The pain described as "sharp, tight, and like indigestion" aligns with cardiac ischemia.
- Administering oxygen helps improve myocardial oxygenation, reducing ischemia.
- Aspirin 325 mg is a standard intervention in suspected MI to prevent further platelet aggregation and reduce the risk of worsening thrombosis in the coronary arteries.
- Monitoring vital signs is critical to assess for hemodynamic stability and signs of worsening cardiac function (e.g., hypotension, tachycardia).
- Monitoring ECG rhythm helps detect ST-elevation or other ischemic changes and assess for life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Morphine may be used for chest pain, but it is now considered secondary to nitroglycerin and beta-blockers.
- Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker used for rate control in arrhythmias but is not first-line for acute MI.
- Platelet count and WBC count are not immediately relevant to MI management.
- Serum glucose levels may be affected by stress but are not a primary concern in acute MI management.
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