A nurse on a telemetry unit is caring for a client who has a history of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). The client reports feeling lightheaded and feeling heart beats in their chest. In a client having PVCs, which of the following findings would the nurse expect when auscultating the client's apical pulse?
Irregular pulsations
Bounding pulsations
Tachycardia
Bradycardia
The Correct Answer is A
A. Irregular pulsations: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are abnormal heartbeats originating in the ventricles, causing irregularities in the heart rhythm. Auscultating the apical pulse during PVCs may reveal irregular pulsations due to the irregular timing of ventricular contractions.
B. Bounding pulsations: Bounding pulsations are typically associated with conditions such as hypertension or aortic valve regurgitation but are not specifically characteristic of PVCs.
C. Tachycardia: PVCs may occur in the setting of tachycardia, but the presence of PVCs themselves does not necessarily indicate a rapid heart rate. The rhythm may be irregular due to PVCs, but the overall heart rate may not be consistently elevated.
D. Bradycardia: PVCs are not typically associated with bradycardia. Bradycardia refers to a slow heart rate, while PVCs involve premature extra beats originating from the ventricles.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
A. Confusion and restlessness: Confusion and restlessness can indicate changes in cerebral perfusion as the body begins to shut down. These signs may occur as death approaches.
B. Increased appetite and thirst: Increased appetite and thirst are less likely as death approaches.
In fact, clients often have decreased appetite and thirst as the body's systems slow down.
C. Increase in urinary and bowel output: As death approaches, urinary and bowel output typically decrease as the body's metabolic processes slow down.
D. Increased fatigue and sleep: Increased fatigue and sleepiness are common as death approaches. The body's energy levels decrease, leading to increased periods of sleep and rest.
E. Excess secretions in the throat and decrease swallow reflex: Excess secretions in the throat and a decrease in the swallow reflex can occur as the body's ability to manage secretions diminishes. This can lead to a gurgling sound in the throat known as the death rattle.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Prolonged P-R interval: A prolonged P-R interval may indicate an atrioventricular (AV) block or conduction delay, but it is not specifically associated with hyperkalemia.
B. Peaked T waves: Peaked T waves are a classic EKG finding in hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can affect cardiac repolarization, leading to tall, peaked T waves on the EKG.
C. Elevated ST segment: An elevated ST segment may indicate myocardial injury or ischemia but is not typically associated with hyperkalemia.
D. Inverted P wave: An inverted P wave may indicate atrial enlargement or conduction abnormalities but is not specifically associated with hyperkalemia.
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