Which assessment finding would the nurse expect in a patient diagnosed with acute pericarditis?
Muffled heart sound
Narrow pulse pressure
Pulses paradoxus
Pericardial friction rub
The Correct Answer is D
A. Muffled heart sounds are more commonly associated with pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade, where fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac muffles the heart sounds. Acute pericarditis, however, typically does not cause muffled heart sounds.
B. Narrow pulse pressure (a small difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure) is not a typical finding in acute pericarditis. It is more commonly seen in conditions such as cardiac tamponade or severe heart failure.
C. Pulses paradoxus, a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure during inspiration, is more commonly associated with conditions like cardiac tamponade, not acute pericarditis.
D. A pericardial friction rub is a hallmark sign of acute pericarditis. It occurs due to the inflammation of the pericardial layers, which rub against each other, producing a characteristic high-pitched, scratchy sound heard on auscultation.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) may occur as the cancer progresses and affects the airway, but it is not typically the earliest manifestation of laryngeal cancer.
B. Weight loss can be a late manifestation of cancer, often associated with systemic effects, but it is not the first sign of laryngeal cancer.
C. Hoarseness is the earliest and most common symptom of laryngeal cancer. It occurs because the tumor affects the vocal cords, causing changes in the voice. This symptom often appears early in the disease process, especially in individuals with a history of smoking.
D. Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can occur as the tumor progresses and obstructs the throat, but it is usually a later symptom and not the first sign of laryngeal cancer.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Heart murmur: While heart murmurs can occur in various cardiac conditions, they are not a hallmark finding of right-sided heart failure. Murmurs are typically associated with valvular heart disease or structural abnormalities.
B. Chest pain: Chest pain can be a symptom of various heart conditions, but it is not a typical or defining feature of right-sided heart failure.
C. Crackles in lungs: Crackles are more commonly associated with left-sided heart failure, where fluid backs up into the lungs, leading to pulmonary congestion.
D. Peripheral edema: Right-sided heart failure leads to the backup of blood in the systemic circulation, which can cause fluid retention and peripheral edema, especially in the lower extremities. This is a classic sign of right-sided heart failure.
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