A nurse is providing teaching to newly licensed nurses about cardiac tamponade. Which of the following should the nurse include when teaching about Phase Il cardiac tamponade?
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 typically refers to the use of compression garments or devices to improve circulation and reduce swelling in the extremities, particularly in conditions such as venous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis.
While compression therapy may be beneficial for certain circulatory disorders, it is not a standard treatment for cardiac tamponade.
Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac, leading to increased pressure on the heart and impaired cardiac function.
Treatment for cardiac tamponade involves prompt recognition and intervention to relieve the pressure on the heart, such as pericardiocentesis or surgical drainage of the pericardial effusion.
B. Monitor wounds on lower extremities:
Monitoring wounds on the lower extremities is essential for assessing healing, preventing complications such as infection, and promoting overall wound care.
However, monitoring wounds on the lower extremities is not directly related to the management or monitoring of cardiac tamponade.
In cardiac tamponade, the focus of monitoring is on assessing signs and symptoms of cardiac compromise, such as hypotension, tachycardia, dyspnea, and pulsus paradoxus, rather than wound care.
C. Take antiplatelet medications as ordered:
Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin or clopidogrel, are commonly prescribed to prevent platelet aggregation and reduce the risk of thrombotic events, particularly in patients with cardiovascular disease or a history of myocardial infarction or stroke.
While antiplatelet medications may be part of the long-term management of certain cardiac conditions, they are not specific to the treatment or monitoring of cardiac tamponade.
The primary treatment for cardiac tamponade involves interventions to relieve the pressure on the heart and restore cardiac function, such as pericardiocentesis or surgical drainage of the pericardial effusion.
D. Monitor for gradual onset of symptoms:
Phase II of cardiac tamponade is characterized by a gradual onset of symptoms as the pressure within the pericardial sac increases, leading to impaired cardiac filling and decreased cardiac output.
Symptoms may include dyspnea, fatigue, orthopnea, tachycardia, and chest discomfort, which may develop gradually over time.
Early recognition of symptoms is crucial for prompt diagnosis and intervention to prevent further deterioration and improve outcomes in patients with cardiac tamponade.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Decrease sedation: Decreasing sedation may help reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) by allowing the client to have a more responsive level of consciousness. However, it is not a direct treatment for brain herniation. Sedation reduction should be done cautiously to prevent agitation and further increases in ICP.
B. Hyperventilate the client: Hyperventilation is a temporary intervention used to reduce intracranial pressure by inducing cerebral vasoconstriction, which decreases cerebral blood flow and intracranial volume. However, it is typically reserved for acute situations and is not considered a definitive treatment for brain herniation. Prolonged or excessive hyperventilation can lead to cerebral ischemia and should be used cautiously.
C. Lower blood pressure: Lowering blood pressure may help reduce cerebral perfusion pressure, which can mitigate the risk of further brain injury during herniation. However, lowering blood pressure alone is not a direct treatment for brain herniation. It may be part of the overall management strategy to prevent secondary injury.
D. Reduce the temperature in the room: Reducing the temperature in the room, or therapeutic hypothermia, is sometimes used in the management of elevated intracranial pressure and brain injury. Lowering body temperature can reduce metabolic demands and cerebral edema, thereby lowering intracranial pressure. However, it is not a direct treatment for brain herniation and should be implemented cautiously to prevent complications such as shivering and hypotension.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Pooling of blood and edema around the eyes: Basilar skull fractures can lead to leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the surrounding tissues, resulting in periorbital ecchymosis, also known as raccoon eyes, due to pooling of blood and edema around the eyes. This finding is characteristic of basilar skull fractures and is caused by disruption of the meninges and subsequent CSF leakage into the soft tissues of the face.
B. Ability to recall how the injury occurred: Memory loss regarding the events surrounding the injury, known as post-traumatic amnesia, is common with basilar skull fractures. This amnesia occurs due to the impact of the injury on the brain and may involve retrograde amnesia (loss of memory of events leading up to the injury) and anterograde amnesia (loss of memory of events occurring after the injury).
C. Bruising over the mastoid process: Bruising over the mastoid process, known as Battle sign, is associated with basilar skull fractures. Battle sign results from blood accumulation (hematoma) in the mastoid region behind the ear due to fracture-related injury to the middle meningeal artery or other blood vessels. This finding typically develops 24-48 hours after the injury.
D. Chvostek’s sign: Chvostek's sign is a clinical manifestation of hypocalcemia, not basilar skull fractures. It is elicited by tapping the facial nerve (facial nerve spasm) and is indicative of neuromuscular irritability due to decreased calcium levels. Chvostek's sign is not directly related to basilar skull fractures.
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