A nurse is teaching a group of clients about risk factors for developing atrial flutter. Which of the following clients should the nurse understand is at highest risk for developing atrial flutter?
The client who is out of work and has been experiencing increased stress.
The client who is recovering from a recent illness that caused vomiting and diarrhea.
The client whose mother and uncle were diagnosed with this same condition
The client who had a myocardial infarction and required stent placement.
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. While stress can contribute to arrhythmias, it is not the highest risk factor for atrial flutter. Stress alone is less likely to trigger atrial flutter without underlying cardiac disease.
B. The client who is recovering from a recent illness that caused vomiting and diarrhea – Electrolyte imbalances from vomiting and diarrhea can predispose to arrhythmias, but the risk is temporary and generally lower compared with structural heart disease.
C. The client whose mother and uncle were diagnosed with this same condition – A family history increases susceptibility, but genetic predisposition alone is not the highest risk factor for atrial flutter.
D. Structural heart disease, such as ischemic heart disease following a myocardial infarction (MI), is a major risk factor for developing atrial flutter because damaged atrial tissue can create abnormal electrical pathways that facilitate reentry circuits, leading to flutter.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. While defibrillation may be necessary, it should not be the first action. Immediate assessment determines whether the client is pulseless or unstable, which guides the appropriate intervention.
B. Delaying assessment to contact the provider could waste critical time, especially in life-threatening arrhythmias like VT. Nurses must act immediately according to the patient’s condition and protocols.
C. The first action in any suspected life-threatening arrhythmia is to assess the patient’s ABCs. This assessment determines hemodynamic stability and guides whether to perform CPR, defibrillation, or prepare for cardioversion, prioritizing patient safety.
D. Antiarrhythmic drugs may be indicated after assessment and determination of stability, but they are not the initial intervention. Immediate evaluation of ABCs is required to prevent deterioration.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Although at the upper limit of normal (10–20 mg/dL), BUN alone is not a definitive indicator of AKI. It can be temporarily elevated due to dehydration, high-protein intake, or catabolic states, and must be interpreted alongside creatinine and other clinical findings.
B. This value is within the normal adult range (1.5–2.5 mEq/L). Magnesium levels generally remain stable until more significant kidney dysfunction occurs, so this does not indicate increased AKI risk.
C. This is within the normal range (3.5–5.0 mEq/L). While potassium imbalances can develop in AKI due to impaired excretion, a normal value does not reflect kidney injury.
D. This is elevated above the normal range for adult females (0.6–1.3 mg/dL) and reflects impaired kidney function. After a myocardial infarction, decreased cardiac output can reduce renal perfusion, placing the client at high risk for acute kidney injury. An elevated creatinine in this context warrants close monitoring, potential adjustments to medications, and prompt interventions to prevent further renal damage.
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