The nurse is assessing a client with a history of heart failure who reports new-onset dyspnea and fatigue. Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
Crackles in bilateral lower lobes.
Heart rate of 92 beats/minute.
Blood pressure of 138/86 mm Hg.
Peripheral edema 1+ in ankles.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Crackles in bilateral lower lobes indicate pulmonary edema in heart failure, where reduced cardiac output causes fluid backup into alveoli, impairing gas exchange and causing dyspnea. This life-threatening emergency requires immediate diuretics or oxygen to reduce preload, preventing respiratory failure or hypoxia, prioritizing intervention.
Choice B reason: A heart rate of 92 beats/minute is normal and not urgent in heart failure, where dyspnea and fatigue suggest fluid overload. Crackles indicate pulmonary edema, a critical issue compromising oxygenation, necessitating immediate action to restore respiratory function, making heart rate less concerning.
Choice C reason: Blood pressure of 138/86 mm Hg is mildly elevated but not critical in heart failure. Crackles signal pulmonary edema, where fluid in alveoli impairs gas exchange, risking hypoxia. This requires urgent intervention like furosemide, as respiratory compromise is more immediate than managing stable blood pressure.
Choice D reason: Peripheral edema 1+ indicates fluid retention in heart failure but is less urgent than crackles, which signify pulmonary edema. Alveolar fluid causes dyspnea and hypoxia, requiring immediate diuretics. Edema is chronic, making respiratory assessment and intervention the priority to prevent acute respiratory failure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Baked potato with skin is high in potassium (about 900 mg), unsuitable for CKD, where impaired renal excretion risks hyperkalemia, causing cardiac arrhythmias. White rice is low-potassium, aligning with dietary restrictions, demonstrating understanding of the need to limit potassium intake in renal disease.
Choice B reason: Orange juice contains high potassium (about 500 mg per cup), dangerous in CKD, as reduced glomerular filtration increases hyperkalemia risk, affecting cardiac conduction. White rice, with minimal potassium, complies with restrictions, indicating the client’s understanding of safe dietary choices for kidney function.
Choice C reason: White rice is low in potassium (about 50 mg per cup), appropriate for CKD, where the kidneys cannot excrete excess potassium, risking hyperkalemia and arrhythmias. Choosing white rice shows the client understands the low-potassium diet, supporting safe management of renal disease and electrolyte balance.
Choice D reason: Banana smoothie is high in potassium (about 400 mg per banana), contraindicated in CKD, where hyperkalemia risks cardiac instability due to poor renal clearance. White rice, low in potassium, reflects dietary compliance, demonstrating the client’s understanding of restrictions to prevent electrolyte imbalances.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Acetaminophen reduces pain but is secondary to preventing infection and bleeding with petrolatum dressings. Dressings are the immediate post-circumcision priority to protect the surgical site, per circumcision care and infection control protocols in neonatal nursing practice.
Choice B reason: Wrapping in blankets maintains warmth but does not address the surgical site’s immediate needs. Petrolatum dressings prevent infection and adhesion, critical post-circumcision. Warmth is secondary, per circumcision care and neonatal thermoregulation standards in nursing practice.
Choice C reason: Offering a glucose-dipped pacifier soothes but does not protect the circumcision site from infection or bleeding. Petrolatum dressings are the priority to ensure healing and comfort, per circumcision care and postoperative pain management standards in neonatal nursing practice.
Choice D reason: Applying petrolatum gauze dressings prevents infection, promotes healing, and reduces adhesion of the circumcision site to diapers. This is the priority intervention to protect the surgical wound, per evidence-based circumcision care and infection control protocols in neonatal nursing practice.
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