A nurse is caring for a client who came to the emergency department reporting chest pain. The provider suspects a myocardial infarction. While waiting for the troponin levels report, the client asks what this blood test will show.
Which of the following explanations should the nurse provide to the client?
Troponin is an enzyme that indicates damage to brain, heart, and skeletal muscle tissues.
Troponin is a heart muscle protein that appears in the bloodstream when there is damage to the heart.
Troponin is a protein that helps transport oxygen throughout the body.
Troponin is a lipid whose levels reflect the risk for coronary artery disease.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice a) is incorrect because troponin is not an enzyme, but a protein. Enzymes are molecules that speed up chemical reactions in the body. Troponin does not have this function.
Choice b) is correct because troponin is a protein that binds to calcium and regulates the contraction of heart muscle fibers. When the heart muscle is injured, such as in a myocardial infarction, troponin leaks into the bloodstream and can be detected by a blood test. The higher the level of troponin, the more severe the damage to the heart.
Choice c) is incorrect because troponin does not help transport oxygen throughout the body. That function is performed by hemoglobin, which is a protein found in red blood cells.
Choice d) is incorrect because troponin is not a lipid, but a protein. Lipids are fats that are used for energy storage and cell membrane formation. Troponin does not have these roles.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect. Flushing of the skin is not a sign of hypovolemic shock, but rather of vasodilation or fever. Hypovolemic shock causes vasoconstriction and pale, cool, clammy skin.
Choice B Reason: This is correct. Oliguria is a decreased urine output that indicates reduced renal perfusion due to hypovolemia. The normal urine output for an adult is 0.5 to 1 mL/kg/hr.
Choice C Reason: This is incorrect. Hypertension is not a sign of hypovolemic shock, but rather of increased vascular resistance or fluid overload. Hypovolemic shock causes hypotension due to decreased blood volume and cardiac output.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect. Bradypnea is a slow respiratory rate that indicates respiratory depression or fatigue. Hypovolemic shock causes tachypnea due to hypoxia and increased metabolic demand.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Decreased specific gravity is not a finding of right-sided heart failure. Specific gravity is a measure of urine concentration, which can be affected by fluid intake, dehydration, kidney function, and diuretic use. Right-sided heart failure does not directly affect urine concentration, but it can cause fluid retention and edema in the body.
Choice B: Decreased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is not a finding of right-sided heart failure. BNP is a hormone that is released by the heart when it is stretched or overloaded. BNP helps to lower blood pressure and reduce fluid volume by increasing urine output and dilating blood vessels. BNP levels are elevated in both left-sided and right- sided heart failure, as the heart is under increased pressure and volume.
Choice C: Increased pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is not a finding of right-sided heart failure. PAWP is a measure of the pressure in the left atrium, which reflects the pressure in the pulmonary capillaries. PAWP is elevated in left-sided heart failure, as the blood backs up in the lungs due to impaired left ventricular function. PAWP is normal or low in right-sided heart failure, as the blood backs up in the systemic circulation due to impaired right ventricular function.
Choice D: Elevated central venous pressure (CVP) is a finding of right-sided heart failure. CVP is a measure of the pressure in the right atrium, which reflects the pressure in the systemic venous system. CVP is elevated in right-sided heart failure, as the blood backs up in the body due to impaired right ventricular function. CVP can cause jugular venous distension, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, ascites, and peripheral edema.

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