Given the electrocardiogram tracing below for a client who is unresponsive and without a pulse, what should be the nurse’s priority action?

Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Establish intravenous (IV) access.

Carry out immediate defibrillation.

Check the client’s latest electrolyte levels.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

The correct answer is choice c. Carry out immediate defibrillation.

Choice A rationale:

Initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential for a client who is unresponsive and without a pulse. However, in the presence of ventricular fibrillation, immediate defibrillation is the priority to restore a viable heart rhythm.

Choice B rationale:

Establishing intravenous (IV) access is important for administering medications during resuscitation. However, it is not the immediate priority when defibrillation is indicated.

Choice C rationale:

Immediate defibrillation is the priority action for a client with ventricular fibrillation who is unresponsive and without a pulse. Defibrillation can quickly restore a normal heart rhythm, which is critical in saving the client’s life.

Choice D rationale:

Checking the client’s latest electrolyte levels can provide valuable information for ongoing treatment but is not the immediate priority in an emergency situation where defibrillation is indicated. Immediate action to restore the heart rhythm is more critical.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Weight loss is often recommended as a first-line therapeutic approach to lowering blood pressure in patients diagnosed with essential hypertension. Excess weight can increase the strain on the heart and blood vessels, leading to higher blood pressure.
Choice B rationale
Regular physical activity is another important part of managing hypertension. Exercise can help lower blood pressure by improving heart health and reducing weight.
Choice C rationale
Beta-blockers, such as propranolol, are a type of medication used to treat hypertension. However, they are not typically the first choice for initial therapy unless the patient has a specific indication for this class of medication, such as heart failure or angina.
Choice D rationale
Decreasing sodium intake is another lifestyle change that can help lower blood pressure. Consuming too much sodium can cause the body to retain fluid, which can increase blood pressure.
Choice E rationale
Smoking cessation is also recommended for patients with hypertension. While smoking does not directly cause high blood pressure, it can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease.

A. Serum hemoglobin of 14.7 g/dL. B. Blood glucose level of 96 mg/dL. C. Serum potassium of 4.5 mEq/L. D. Serum creatinine of 2.8 mg/dL. .

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Serum hemoglobin of 14.7 g/dL is within the normal range for adults, which is typically 12.0 to
16.0 g/dL for women and 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. While it’s important to monitor hemoglobin levels, a value of 14.7 g/dL does not raise immediate concerns related to hypertension.
Choice B rationale
A blood glucose level of 96 mg/dL is considered normal. The normal range for fasting blood glucose is between 70 and 100 mg/dL1. Blood glucose levels are important to monitor, especially in patients with diabetes, but a value of 96 mg/dL is not immediately concerning in the context of hypertension.
Choice C rationale
A serum potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L is within the normal range, which is typically 3.6 to 5.2 mEq/L1. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate heart and muscle contractions and maintain fluid balance in the body. While it’s important to monitor potassium levels, a value of 4.5 mEq/L does not raise immediate concerns related to hypertension.
Choice D rationale
A serum creatinine level of 2.8 mg/dL is high. Creatinine is a waste product that’s produced by your muscles and filtered out of your blood by your kidneys. High levels of creatinine can indicate that the kidneys aren’t working properly, which can be a complication of hypertension. Therefore, this result is the most important to communicate to the healthcare provider.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Given the electrocardiogram tracing below for a client who is unresponsive and without a pulse, what should be the nurse’s priority action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

What is included in the first-line therapeutic approach to lowering blood pressure in a patient diagnosed with essential hypertension? (Select all that apply)

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]

Explanation

The nurse is reviewing the laboratory test results for a patient who has recently been diagnosed with hypertension. Which result is most important to communicate to the health care provider?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

When caring for a client who has developed cardiac tamponade, what assessments should the nurse expect to find?

The nurse is caring for a client with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). What emergent procedure does the nurse anticipate the physician will order?

A patient with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) has recently undergone Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) of the lower extremity. Which assessment is crucial for the nurse to perform post-procedure?

Which of the following findings in a patient with Raynaud’s disease would indicate a need for further teaching?

When preparing a patient for a cardiac catheterization and coronary angiogram, which piece of information about the patient is crucial for the nurse to relay to the healthcare provider prior to the procedure?

A woman has recently been diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease. What important information should the nurse provide to this patient?

What is the most important nursing action in caring for a patient who has just recovered from rheumatic fever?

A nurse is caring for a client on a cardiac monitor. The patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern. What is the first action the nurse should take?