The nurse is teaching a client with atrial flutter who is scheduled for a catheter ablation? What should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
The procedure stimulates the growth of new pathways between the atria
The procedure uses cold therapy to stop the formation of the flutter waves
The procedure prevents or minimizes the patient's risk for sudden cardiac death
The procedure uses electrical energy to destroy areas of the conduction system
The Correct Answer is D
The procedure uses electrical energy to destroy areas of the conduction system: Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure performed to treat abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial flutter. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted into the heart and used to deliver electrical energy to specific areas of the heart tissue. This energy is used to destroy or ablate the abnormal conduction pathways that are causing the atrial flutter.
Let's go through the other options and explain why they are not accurate:
The procedure stimulates the growth of new pathways between the atria: Catheter ablation does not stimulate the growth of new pathways. Instead, it aims to eliminate or modify existing abnormal pathways in the heart to restore normal electrical conduction.
The procedure uses cold therapy to stop the formation of the flutter waves: Catheter ablation does not use cold therapy. It primarily utilizes radiofrequency energy or other sources of heat to ablate the targeted areas of the heart tissue.
The procedure prevents or minimizes the patient's risk for sudden cardiac death: While catheter ablation can be an effective treatment for certain arrhythmias, including atrial flutter, it is not primarily performed to prevent or minimize the risk of sudden cardiac death. Its main purpose is to restore normal heart rhythm and alleviate symptoms associated with the arrhythmia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The nurse should best follow up the assessment finding of an ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 0.40 in the right leg by implementing interventions relevant to arterial narrowing.
An ankle-brachial index is a non-invasive test used to assess peripheral arterial disease (PAD). An ABI value below 0.90 indicates significant arterial narrowing and impaired blood flow to the lower extremities. An ABI of 0.40 suggests severe arterial narrowing, which puts the client at risk for reduced perfusion and potential complications such as tissue ischemia, ulceration, and gangrene.
Implementing interventions relevant to arterial narrowing is crucial in this case. These interventions may include:
- Collaborating with the healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan: This may involve prescribing medications to improve blood flow, such as antiplatelet agents or vasodilators.
- Encouraging lifestyle modifications: This can include smoking cessation, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy diet low in saturated fats and high in fruits and vegetables.
- Promoting optimal cardiovascular health: This can involve managing other risk factors for arterial narrowing, such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels.
- Educating the client about the signs and symptoms of PAD: This includes teaching them to monitor for changes in skin color, temperature, and sensation in the affected limb, as well as the importance of seeking prompt medical attention if these changes occur.
Let's review the other options:
Assessing the client's use of over-the-counter dietary supplements: While it is important to assess for potential interactions between medications and dietary supplements, this would not be the immediate follow-up action for a severely reduced ABI.
Encouraging the client to increase intake of foods high in vitamin K: While maintaining a balanced diet is important for overall health, increasing vitamin K intake is not specifically indicated for addressing arterial narrowing or improving the ABI.
Adjusting the client's activity level to accommodate decreased coronary output:
Coronary output refers to blood flow to the heart muscle. Arterial narrowing in the leg does not directly affect coronary output. However, it is important to encourage appropriate physical activity for the client based on their overall cardiovascular health and exercise tolerance.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The client reports a headache with pain at level 5 of 10.: While a headache can be a symptom of high blood pressure, a pain level of 5 out of 10 alone does not indicate an immediate life-threatening condition. It is important to assess and manage the client's pain, but it may not be the most critical finding to report in this situation.
The client has epistaxis after blowing his nose several times. : Epistaxis, or a nosebleed, can occur due to high blood pressure, but it is not the most urgent or critical symptom in a hypertensive emergency. While it is essential to address the nosebleed and monitor blood pressure, other symptoms may indicate more severe consequences of uncontrolled high blood pressure.
The client has a urine output of 120 mL over 4 hours.: While decreased urine output can be a concerning sign, it is not the most significant finding to report in a hypertensive emergency. In this scenario, the focus is on acute complications related to high blood pressure, such as organ damage or impending stroke, which require immediate attention.
In summary, the finding that is most important to report to the healthcare provider in a client with a hypertensive emergency is the presence of new-onset blurry vision and facial asymmetry. These symptoms suggest potential neurological involvement and the need for urgent medical intervention to prevent serious complications like stroke.
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