Which of the following is a primary goal of catheter ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation?
To strengthen the heart muscle
To decrease the frequency of ventricular contractions
To permanently eliminate the need for anticoagulation therapy
To restore and maintain normal sinus rhythm
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. Catheter ablation does not directly improve myocardial contractility; its purpose is focused on electrical conduction rather than muscle strength.
B. While controlling ventricular response may occur with medications, ablation targets the atrial electrical pathways rather than directly controlling ventricular rate.
C. Anticoagulation decisions depend on stroke risk (e.g., CHA₂DS₂-VASc score); ablation does not automatically remove the need for anticoagulants.
D. The primary goal of catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation is to eliminate abnormal electrical pathways causing arrhythmia, thereby restoring and maintaining normal sinus rhythm and reducing symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. While stress can contribute to arrhythmias, it is not the highest risk factor for atrial flutter. Stress alone is less likely to trigger atrial flutter without underlying cardiac disease.
B. The client who is recovering from a recent illness that caused vomiting and diarrhea – Electrolyte imbalances from vomiting and diarrhea can predispose to arrhythmias, but the risk is temporary and generally lower compared with structural heart disease.
C. The client whose mother and uncle were diagnosed with this same condition – A family history increases susceptibility, but genetic predisposition alone is not the highest risk factor for atrial flutter.
D. Structural heart disease, such as ischemic heart disease following a myocardial infarction (MI), is a major risk factor for developing atrial flutter because damaged atrial tissue can create abnormal electrical pathways that facilitate reentry circuits, leading to flutter.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. PT measures the extrinsic and common coagulation pathways, which are affected by warfarin therapy. Warfarin inhibits vitamin K–dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X), prolonging PT. Nurses also often monitor the international normalized ratio (INR), which standardizes PT results to guide therapeutic dosing. For clients with an artificial heart valve, the therapeutic INR range is usually 2.5–3.5.
B. aPTT measures the intrinsic coagulation pathway and is primarily used to monitor heparin therapy, not warfarin. It does not reflect the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
C. Hemoglobin measures the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and can indicate anemia, but it does not provide information about coagulation or warfarin effectiveness.
D. Bleeding time evaluates platelet function, not the effect of anticoagulants like warfarin. Warfarin primarily affects clotting factor synthesis, not platelet function.
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