The nurse is caring for a 24 year old post-partum client with a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy. The nurse understands that which of the following types of cardiomyopathy can be associated with childbirth?
Dilated
Restrictive
Hypertrophic
Myocarditis
The Correct Answer is A
A. Dilated: Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a form of dilated cardiomyopathy that can occur during the last month of pregnancy or within five months after delivery. It is characterized by ventricular dilation and impaired systolic function, leading to signs of heart failure in previously healthy women.
B. Restrictive: Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a rare form that involves impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened myocardial walls. It is typically associated with infiltrative diseases like amyloidosis or sarcoidosis, not with pregnancy or the postpartum period.
C. Hypertrophic: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is usually genetic and involves thickened ventricular walls, especially the interventricular septum. It is not linked to childbirth and tends to present earlier in life with symptoms like syncope or sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
D. Myocarditis: Myocarditis involves inflammation of the heart muscle due to infection or autoimmune causes. Although it can occur postpartum, it is not specifically associated with childbirth like peripartum cardiomyopathy, which is a distinct clinical entity.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Edema of ankles: While peripheral edema may be associated with worsening cardiac function or side effects from other medications, it is not a hallmark adverse effect of amiodarone. It warrants evaluation but is not the most urgent symptom related to this drug.
B. Shortness of breath: Amiodarone is a potent antiarrhythmic medication with several potential serious side effects, including pulmonary toxicity. This can manifest as interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis, which may present as new or worsening shortness of breath cough, and chest pain. This is a potentially life-threatening complication and requires immediate medical attention.
C. Fatigue after exercise: Exercise-induced fatigue can result from many conditions, including heart disease or deconditioning, but it is a nonspecific symptom. It does not point directly to a serious adverse reaction from amiodarone.
D. Abdominal fullness: Abdominal fullness is not typically associated with amiodarone. It may relate to gastrointestinal or hepatic issues, but it is not as immediately concerning as respiratory symptoms suggestive of pulmonary toxicity.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Administer the dose later in the day when their nausea subsides: Delaying the dose does not address the underlying concern of potential digoxin toxicity. Symptoms like nausea and visual disturbances suggest toxicity and require immediate assessment rather than postponement.
B. Assess the client's apical rate: The first and most appropriate nursing action is to assess the apical heart rate for one full minute, as bradycardia is a key indicator of digoxin toxicity. If the rate is below 60 bpm, the dose should be held, and the provider should be notified.
C. Contact the physician for STAT serum potassium level: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity, but while checking potassium is important, it is not the first step. Assessment of heart rate is more immediately critical in evaluating the need to hold the medication.
D. Administer the client's prescribed dose intravenously: Administering the dose especially IV when the client has symptoms of toxicity could worsen the situation. Digoxin should be held, not given, until further evaluation and provider notification.
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