A patient with a history of hypertension arrives in the emergency department with a blood pressure (BP) reading of 213/126 mm Hg. The patient has a history of drug abuse.

Which of the following initial questions posed by the nurse is MOST appropriate?.

While auscultating a patient's heart sounds, a nurse detects a fourth heart sound (S4). The nurse understands that this finding possibly indicates:.

The nurse is assessing a patient with myocarditis before giving a scheduled dose of digoxin (Lanoxin). Which finding is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider?.

The nurse is caring for a patient with mitral regurgitation. Where would the nurse listen to best hear a murmur typical of mitral regurgitation?.

Which action by the nurse will determine if therapies ordered for a patient with chronic constrictive pericarditis are effective?

A patient who has had chest pain for several hours is admitted with a diagnosis of rule out acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Which laboratory test is most specific for the nurse to monitor in determining whether the patient has had an AMI?.

A patient who has recently had an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) ambulates in the hospital hallway. Which data would indicate to the nurse that the patient should stop and rest?.

A nurse is caring for an adolescent in an emergency department.

Vital Signs.

2300: Medical History.

Blood pressure 120/78 mm Hg. Apical pulse rate 100/min.

Respiratory rate 20/min.

2400: Temperature 37.9° C (100.2° F). Oxygen saturation 98% on room air.

Nurses' Notes.

Blood pressure 112/64 mm Hg. Apical pulse rate 108/min.

Respiratory rate 28/min.

Temperature 38.9° C (102° F). Oxygen saturation 95% on room air.

Medical History.

History of rheumatic fever with resulting cardiac valve damage.

Nurses' Notes.

2300: Adolescent brought to emergency department by their parent.

Adolescent reports intermittent low-grade fever and anorexia.

Manifestations presented a few days after having dental work performed.

Now they are worse.

Adolescent noticed shortness of breath with exertion today.

Adolescent in semi-reclining position.

Respirations easy and unlabored while at rest.

Mild dyspnea observed when adolescent ambulated to the room.

Lung sounds clear bilaterally.

Oral mucous membranes pink with petechiae noted.

Adolescent reports diffuse joint pain as 2 on a scale of 0 to 10. 2400: Adolescent restless and sweating, sitting in high-Fowler's position.

Dyspnea noted at rest.

Adolescent reports pain in mid-chest as dull, aching, and as 2 on a scale of 0 to 10. Few coarse rales auscultated bilaterally.

The nurse reports the 2400 assessment findings to the provider.

Which of the following should the nurse anticipate the provider will prescribe? For each potential provider's prescription, specify if the potential prescription is anticipated or contraindicated for the client.

A patient is admitted to the emergency department and diagnosed as having an ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Which question would the nurse ask to determine whether the patient is a candidate for thrombolytic therapy?.

Which data indicates to the nurse that the patient with stable angina is experiencing a side effect of metoprolol?.

A patient who has chronic heart failure is admitted to the emergency department with severe dyspnea and a dry, hacking cough. Which action would the nurse take first?.