What patient data would indicate to the nurse that the infusion of a thrombolytic agent should be stopped in a patient with an acute myocardial infarction?
Bleeding from the gums.
An increase in blood pressure.
A nonsustained episode of ventricular tachycardia.
Decreased level of consciousness.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Bleeding from the gums is a sign of excessive bleeding, which can be a side effect of thrombolytic therapy. Thrombolytic agents work by dissolving blood clots, but they can also interfere with the body’s normal clotting mechanism, leading to bleeding. If a patient experiences unusual or excessive bleeding, it may be necessary to stop the infusion of the thrombolytic agent.
Choice B rationale
An increase in blood pressure is not typically a reason to stop the infusion of a thrombolytic agent in a patient with an acute myocardial infarction. While blood pressure should be monitored closely during thrombolytic therapy, an increase in blood pressure is not a common side effect.
Choice C rationale
A nonsustained episode of ventricular tachycardia is not typically a reason to stop the infusion of a thrombolytic agent in a patient with an acute myocardial infarction. While arrhythmias can occur during a myocardial infarction, they are not a common side effect of thrombolytic therapy.
Choice D rationale
A decreased level of consciousness can be a sign of many serious conditions, including bleeding in the brain. However, it is not typically a reason to stop the infusion of a thrombolytic agent unless it is accompanied by other signs of excessive bleeding.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Sinus tachycardia is a regular, rapid heart rate caused by rapid firing of the sinoatrial node. It is characterized by a heart rate of greater than 100 beats per minute, and P waves are present before each QRS complex. This does not match the description given.
Choice B rationale
Ventricular tachycardia is a fast, regular beating of the ventricles that may last for only a few seconds or for much longer. In this condition, the ventricular rate is often between 120 and 200 beats per minute, and P waves are not associated with the QRS complexes. This matches the description given.
Choice C rationale
Ventricular fibrillation is a severe condition in which the heart beats with rapid, erratic electrical impulses. This causes the ventricles to quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood. The description does not match this condition.
Choice D rationale
Atrial flutter is a condition that shares similarities with atrial fibrillation, both involve an irregular heartbeat. However, atrial flutter is more organized and less chaotic than atrial fibrillation, which can make it more manageable. The description does not match this condition.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Stable angina typically occurs with exertion and goes away with rest. The symptoms described, including substernal pain, discomfort in the left shoulder and jaw, which subside with rest, are characteristic of stable angina.
Choice B rationale
Prinzmetal angina, also known as variant angina, is a type of angina (chest pain) caused by spasms in the coronary arteries. These spasms occur most often in coronary arteries that have not become hardened due to plaque buildup. However, they can also occur in hardened arteries. The symptoms can be similar to those of stable angina, but the typical triggers for the episodes are different.
Choice C rationale
A myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack, occurs when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked, often by a blood clot, causing part of the heart muscle to be damaged or die. The symptoms are usually more severe than what is described and do not typically subside with rest.
Choice D rationale
Unstable angina is a condition in which the angina symptoms become more severe, occur more frequently, or occur at rest. This is a medical emergency as it can often lead to a heart attack.
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