The nurse is caring for a client with sinus bradycardia at a rate of 32 beats/min, blood pressure (BP) of 80/42 mm Hg, and reports feeling faint. Which is the appropriate action?

Give the scheduled dose of diltiazem (Cardizem).

Reposition the patient on the left side.

Have the patient perform the Valsalva maneuver.

Apply the transcutaneous pacemaker (TCP) pads

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Sinus bradycardia with a heart rate of 32 beats/min and accompanying hypotension and symptoms of feeling faint indicates significant hemodynamic compromise. In such cases, the first-line intervention is to provide external cardiac pacing through transcutaneous pacemaker (TCP) pads. TCP can help increase the heart rate and improve cardiac output by delivering electrical impulses to the heart.

Administering the scheduled dose of diltiazem (Cardizem), a calcium channel blocker, is not appropriate in this situation. Diltiazem can further lower the heart rate and blood pressure, exacerbating the client's symptoms and potentially leading to adverse effects.

Repositioning the patient on the left side or having the patient perform the Valsalva maneuver are not effective interventions for treating sinus bradycardia with hemodynamic compromise. These actions may be used in specific situations, but in this case, the client requires immediate intervention to address the low heart rate and blood pressure.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The inability to move the left arm and leg suggests a neurological deficit, which is a significant finding that requires immediate attention. It could indicate a potential stroke or another neurological emergency that requires prompt evaluation and intervention. The health care provider needs to be notified immediately so that appropriate diagnostic tests and interventions can be initiated.

Tremors in the fingers when extending the arms can be a sign of tremor disorders or medication side effects but may not warrant immediate intervention.

Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac arrhythmia that requires monitoring and management but may not be directly related to the acute neurological issue.

The headache reported by the patient, although significant, is subjective and may be related to the hypertensive emergency or other factors but does not require immediate intervention compared to the potential neurological deficit.

A. Use alcohol swabs to clean the skin before applying the leads B. Clip the chest hair with the patient's permission before applying the leads C. Apply the leads to the arms and legs only D. Reschedule the ECG

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The most appropriate nursing intervention to improve adhesion of the ECG leads on a male client with abundant chest hair is to clip the chest hair with the patient's permission before applying the leads. Chest hair can interfere with the adhesion of the ECG leads, resulting in poor signal quality and potentially affecting the accuracy of the ECG recording. By clipping the chest hair, the nurse can improve the contact between the skin and the ECG leads, allowing for better adhesion and signal transmission.

It is important to obtain the patient's permission before clipping the chest hair to respect their autonomy and ensure their comfort during the procedure. The nurse should explain the reason for clipping the hair and address any concerns or questions the patient may have.

Let's review the other options and explain why they are not the most appropriate interventions:

Using alcohol swabs to clean the skin before applying the leads: While cleaning the skin with alcohol swabs is a routine practice to remove oils and dirt that can affect adhesion, it may not be sufficient in the presence of abundant chest hair. Clipping the hair would be more effective in this situation.

Applying the leads to the arms and legs only: This option would not provide an accurate 12-lead ECG recording, as the chest leads are essential for evaluating the electrical activity of the heart from different angles. It is important to have the leads properly placed on the chest for an accurate assessment.

Rescheduling the ECG: Unless there are other valid reasons for rescheduling, such as a medical condition that contraindicates the procedure, rescheduling solely due to abundant chest hair would be unnecessary. Clipping the hair is a practical and effective solution to improve adhesion.

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The nurse is caring for a client with sinus bradycardia at a rate of 32 beats/min, blood pressure (BP) of 80/42 mm Hg, and reports feeling faint. Which is the appropriate action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is assessing a client who has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a hypertensive emergency. Which finding is most important to report to the health care provider?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse is performing a 12-lead ECG on a male client with abundant chest hair. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention to improve adhesion of the ECG leads?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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