A patient with left-sided heart failure is being treated with enalapril and furosemide. Which assessments should the nurse perform to evaluate the effectiveness of these medications?
Monitor heart rate and rhythm.
Auscultate lung fields and check blood pressure (BP).
Assess for jugular venous distension (JVD).
Check peripheral pulses.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Monitoring heart rate and rhythm is important in heart failure management, but it does not directly reflect the effectiveness of enalapril and furosemide, which are primarily used to control blood pressure and reduce fluid overload, respectively.
Choice B reason: Auscultating lung fields can reveal the presence of fluid, indicating pulmonary edema, a common complication of left-sided heart failure. Checking BP is essential as enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that lowers BP, and furosemide can also affect BP through its diuretic effect.
Choice C reason: Assessing for JVD can indicate right-sided heart failure, which may develop secondary to left-sided heart failure. However, it is not the primary assessment for the effectiveness of enalapril and furosemide.
Choice D reason: Checking peripheral pulses is a general assessment and, while important, it does not specifically evaluate the effectiveness of the medications in question.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Tachycardia and weight gain are not typically associated with low T4 levels. Tachycardia and weight loss are more commonly seen in hyperthyroidism, where T4 levels would be elevated.
Choice B reason: Diarrhea and hypoglycemia are not directly related to low T4 levels. Diarrhea can be a symptom of hyperthyroidism, while hypoglycemia is not commonly associated with thyroid function.
Choice C reason: Hypotension and periorbital edema are findings that can be associated with hypothyroidism, which is consistent with the low T4 level of 2.9 mcg/dL. Hypothyroidism can lead to reduced cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance, causing hypotension. Periorbital edema is also a common sign of hypothyroidism due to mucopolysaccharide deposition in the skin.
Choice D reason: Tremors and dyskinesias are more commonly associated with hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism. Elevated levels of thyroid hormones can lead to these neurological symptoms.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Monitoring heart rate and rhythm is important in heart failure management, but it does not directly reflect the effectiveness of enalapril and furosemide, which are primarily used to control blood pressure and reduce fluid overload, respectively.
Choice B reason: Auscultating lung fields can reveal the presence of fluid, indicating pulmonary edema, a common complication of left-sided heart failure. Checking BP is essential as enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that lowers BP, and furosemide can also affect BP through its diuretic effect.
Choice C reason: Assessing for JVD can indicate right-sided heart failure, which may develop secondary to left-sided heart failure. However, it is not the primary assessment for the effectiveness of enalapril and furosemide.
Choice D reason: Checking peripheral pulses is a general assessment and, while important, it does not specifically evaluate the effectiveness of the medications in question.
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