A nurse is caring for a client who is taking antihypertensive medication and is moving from a supine to a sitting position.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing orthostatic hypotension?
The client's heart rate increases by 10/min.
The client's diastolic blood pressure increases by 10 mm Hg.
The client reports heart palpitations.
The client's systolic blood pressure decreases by 25 mm Hg.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale:
An increase in heart rate by 10 beats per minute when moving from a supine to a sitting position is a normal physiological response to compensate for decreased venous return and maintain cardiac output. This response does not indicate orthostatic hypotension.
Choice B rationale:
An increase in diastolic blood pressure by 10 mm Hg when moving from a supine to a sitting position is a normal response to compensate for the effects of gravity on blood flow. It helps maintain perfusion to vital organs and does not indicate orthostatic hypotension.
Choice C rationale:
Heart palpitations can occur due to various reasons, including anxiety or arrhythmias, but they are not specific signs of orthostatic hypotension. This symptom alone does not confirm the presence of orthostatic hypotension.
Choice D rationale:
A decrease in systolic blood pressure by 25 mm Hg or more when moving from a supine to a sitting position indicates orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure of 20 mm Hg or more or a drop in diastolic blood pressure of 10 mm Hg or more within 3 minutes of standing up. This condition can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting and can be a side effect of antihypertensive medications or other underlying medical conditions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E","F","G"]
Explanation
Based on the information provided, the nurse should consider the following client findings for further evaluation:
A. Weight: The client's weight loss of 5 pounds (2.26 kg) over the last week needs further evaluation as it could be indicative of an underlying health issue.
D. Travel history: The client's recent travel to South Africa and the presence of respiratory symptoms raises concerns about possible exposure to infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, which is more prevalent in certain regions. Further evaluation of the travel history is essential.
E. Sputum characteristics: The client's report of "blood-tinged sputum" is concerning and should be evaluated further to rule out potential serious respiratory conditions.
F. Temperature: The presence of a "low-grade fever" should be further evaluated to assess the possible infectious etiology of the client's symptoms.
G. Heart Rate: The heart rate should be assessed further as an elevated heart rate could indicate an underlying systemic infection or other health issues.
The following client findings do not necessarily indicate the need for further evaluation in this context:
B. Report of cough: The client's report of a cough is the primary reason for their presentation to the emergency department and will, of course, be further evaluated as part of the assessment.
C. Blood pressure: Though monitoring blood pressure is essential, the information provided does not indicate any specific concerns regarding the client's blood pressure at this point.
A comprehensive assessment and further evaluation are necessary to determine the underlying cause of the client's symptoms. The nurse should collaborate with other healthcare professionals to conduct appropriate diagnostic tests and investigations to establish a diagnosis and provide appropriate care.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Correct. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy, which is commonly prescribed to prevent blood clotting. The INR provides information about the client's prothrombin time (PT) in relation to a standardized value.
B. Fibrinogen level measures clotting potential but is not directly related to warfarin therapy monitoring.
C. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) is used to monitor other anticoagulants like heparin, not warfarin.
D. Platelet count measures the number of platelets in the blood and is not specifically related to warfarin therapy monitoring.
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