While assessing a client, the nurse notes that the client's ankle-brachial index (ABI) of the right leg is 0.40. How should the nurse best follow up this assessment ﬁnding?

Assess the client's use of over-the-counter dietary supplements.

Implement interventions relevant to arterial narrowing

Encourage the client to increase intake of foods high in vitamin K

Adjust the client's activity level to accommodate decreased coronary output.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

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.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

ST-segment elevation during exercise stress testing is a concerning ﬁnding that may indicate reduced blood ﬂow to the heart muscle. It can be a sign of myocardial ischemia or coronary artery disease. Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure that allows direct visualization of the coronary arteries and helps identify any blockages or narrowing that may be causing the ST-segment elevation.

Here's an explanation of why the other options are not the most appropriate procedures:

Transesophageal echocardiogram: Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a diagnostic test that involves inserting a probe into the esophagus to obtain detailed images of the heart. It is not typically used to evaluate ST-segment elevation, which primarily indicates coronary artery issues rather than structural abnormalities.

Telemetry monitoring: Telemetry monitoring involves continuous monitoring of a patient's heart rhythm and can be used for various cardiac conditions. While telemetry monitoring may be necessary for ongoing cardiac assessment, it is not a speciﬁc procedure to address the ST-segment elevation found during the exercise stress test.

Pharmacologic stress test: A pharmacologic stress test is an alternative to an exercise stress test for patients who cannot exercise. It involves administering medications that stimulate the heart to mimic the effects of exercise. While a pharmacologic stress testcan also reveal ST-segment changes, the presence of ST-segment elevation usually requires further evaluation with a more invasive procedure like cardiac catheterization.

A. Absent bilateral pedal pulses. B. Complaints of pain at the site of the incision. C. Distended, tender abdomen. D. An elevated temperature of 100 F

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Absent bilateral pedal pulses indicate a potential vascular complication, such as impaired circulation or blood flow to the lower extremities. It may suggest compromised perfusion and could be a sign of arterial occlusion or thrombosis, which requires immediate intervention. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider promptly to assess the client's condition and initiate appropriate interventions to restore circulation to the lower extremities.

While complaints of pain at the site of the incision are significant, post-operative pain is expected after abdominal surgery. The nurse should assess the pain and provide appropriate pain management interventions, but it may not require immediate intervention unless the pain is severe or accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

A distended, tender abdomen could indicate various post-operative complications, such as bowel obstruction or peritonitis. Although it should be evaluated and reported to the healthcare provider, it may not require immediate intervention unless the client's condition deteriorates or other signs of a surgical emergency are present.

An elevated temperature of 100°F (37.8°C) alone, without other signs of infection or systemic complications, may not necessarily require immediate intervention. It could be a normal response to surgery or a mild post-operative infection. The nurse should monitor the client's temperature and assess for other signs of infection, and if necessary, report it to the healthcare provider for further evaluation.

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While assessing a client, the nurse notes that the client's ankle-brachial index (ABI) of the right leg is 0.40. How should the nurse best follow up this assessment ﬁnding?

Nursing Test Bank

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