A nurse is caring for a client on a cardiac monitor. The patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.
What is the first action the nurse should take?
Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Cardiovert the client with a biphasic defibrillator.
Assess airway, breathing, and circulation.
Administer an amiodarone bolus followed by a drip.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.
Choice B rationale
Cardioverting the client with a biphasic defibrillator is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.
Choice C rationale
The first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern is to assess the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation.
Choice D rationale
Administering an amiodarone bolus followed by a drip is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Diltiazem does not increase the contractile force of the heart. In fact, it is classified as a negative inotrope, meaning it decreases the force of heart contractions.
Choice B rationale
While diltiazem can affect heart rhythm, it does not specifically reduce heart palpitations. Its primary effect is to slow the heart rate and relax the blood vessels.
Choice C rationale
Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker used to manage cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, chronic stable angina, atrial fibrillation, and Prinzmetal’s angina. It works by inhibiting the calcium influx into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle during depolarization. This results in vasodilation, or the widening of blood vessels, which can help decrease coronary artery spasms, a characteristic feature of Prinzmetal’s angina.
Choice D rationale
Diltiazem does not prevent the formation of plaque in the coronary arteries. It primarily acts to relax the blood vessels and slow the heart rate.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Idiopathic vasospasm, or spontaneous constriction of the blood vessels, can cause myocardial ischemia. However, this is a relatively rare cause compared to atherosclerosis.
Choice B rationale
Atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries, is the most common cause of myocardial ischemia. These plaques can restrict blood flow to the heart muscle, leading to ischemia.
Choice C rationale
Venous emboli, or blood clots that form in the veins, typically do not cause myocardial ischemia. These clots are more likely to cause problems in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) if they travel through the bloodstream.
Choice D rationale
Arterial emboli from a heart valve can cause myocardial ischemia, but this is less common than atherosclerosis. These emboli, or blood clots, can block blood flow to the heart muscle if they travel through the bloodstream.
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