A nurse is providing discharge education to a client who has valvular heart disease and peripheral vascular disease. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching about valvular heart disease?
Comply with compression therapy.
Monitor wounds on lower extremities.
Take antiplatelet medications as ordered.
Monitor for gradual onset of symptoms
The Correct Answer is D
A. Comply with compression therapy: Compression therapy is commonly used in the management of peripheral vascular disease (PVD), not valvular heart disease. It involves applying external pressure to the limbs to improve circulation and reduce edema. While this intervention may be relevant for a client with PVD, it is not specific to valvular heart disease.
B. Monitor wounds on lower extremities: Monitoring wounds on lower extremities is important for clients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) to assess for signs of poor wound healing, infection, or tissue ischemia. However, it is not directly related to valvular heart disease. Therefore, while wound monitoring may be appropriate for this client, it is not specific to valvular heart disease education.
C. Take antiplatelet medications as ordered: Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin or clopidogrel, are commonly prescribed for clients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) to reduce the risk of thrombotic events and improve blood flow. However, they are not typically indicated as a primary treatment for valvular heart disease. While some clients with valvular heart disease may have comorbidities that warrant antiplatelet therapy, it is not specific to valvular heart disease education.
D. Valvular heart disease involves dysfunction of one or more heart valves, leading to impaired blood flow within the heart. The nurse should educate the client on monitoring for the gradual onset of symptoms related to valvular heart disease. These symptoms may include dyspnea (shortness of breath), fatigue, palpitations, chest discomfort, and edema. Monitoring for these symptoms allows for early detection of disease progression or exacerbation, prompting timely intervention and management.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Administer acetaminophen by mouth for pain control: While pain management is important, it is not the priority intervention in this situation. Administering acetaminophen for pain control can be done after the client's condition has been assessed and any potential serious injuries, such as head trauma, have been addressed.
B. Perform a thorough health history: Obtaining a health history is essential for understanding the client's baseline health status and any pre-existing conditions that may affect their current condition. However, in the acute phase following a traumatic fall, the priority is to assess and manage any potential life-threatening injuries.
C. Prepare for a STAT non-contrast CT scan: This is the correct answer. In cases of traumatic falls, particularly when there is concern for head injury or intracranial bleeding, obtaining a non-contrast CT scan of the head is a priority. This imaging study helps identify any intracranial injuries such as hemorrhage or skull fractures, allowing for prompt intervention if necessary.
D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter to monitor urine output: Monitoring urine output is important for assessing renal function, but it is not the priority intervention in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic fall. The focus initially should be on assessing and managing potential life-threatening injuries, particularly those related to head trauma.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Persistent headache and aggression: While persistent headache and aggression can occur following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), these symptoms are not specific to mild TBI. Aggression is more commonly associated with severe TBI, and persistent headache can occur across the spectrum of TBI severity.
B. Headache and confusion: Headache and confusion are common manifestations of mild TBI. Following a mild TBI, individuals often experience headache, which may be mild to moderate in intensity. Confusion, disorientation, and difficulty concentrating are also typical symptoms of mild TBI due to the transient disruption of cognitive function.
C. Loss of vision and depression: Loss of vision and depression are less commonly associated with mild TBI. These manifestations may occur in more severe cases of TBI or with specific types of brain injury affecting visual pathways. However, they are not typically indicative of mild TBI.
D. Seizures and extremity weakness: Seizures and extremity weakness are more indicative of moderate to severe TBI rather than mild TBI. While mild TBI may result in brief loss of consciousness, seizures and significant extremity weakness are less characteristic of mild TBI and are more commonly observed with more severe brain injuries.
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