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 D

Explanation

Choice D: This question is crucial as it addresses the client's adherence to their prescribed medication regimen for managing high blood pressure. Consistent medication use is essential for controlling blood pressure and reducing the risk of complications associated with hypertension. The elevated blood pressure reading suggests that the current medication regimen may not be effectively controlling the client's blood pressure. By assessing medication adherence, the nurse can determine if non-adherence is contributing to the high blood pressure reading or if adjustments to the medication regimen are required.

"Have you recently taken any antihistamines?": Asking about recent antihistamine use is not directly relevant to the client's high blood pressure reading of 210/106 mm Hg. Antihistamines are medications primarily used to relieve allergy symptoms and do not typically have a signiﬁcant impact on blood pressure levels.

"Have there been recent stressful events in your life?": While stress can contribute to temporary increases in blood pressure, asking about recent stressful events is not the most critical follow-up question in this situation. The client's blood pressure reading of 210/106 mm Hg indicates a severe elevation that requires immediate attention and management beyond stress reduction alone.

"Did you take any acetaminophen today?": Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is a pain reliever and fever reducer. It does not typically have a signiﬁcant effect on blood pressure. Therefore, asking about acetaminophen use is not the most relevant follow-up question for the client's high blood pressure reading.

A. Tremors are noted in the fingers when the patient extends the arms. B. The client has atrial fibrillation on the telemetry monitor C. The client cannot move the left arm and leg when asked to do so. D. The patient reports a headache with pain at level 7 of 10 (0 to 10 scale).

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The inability to move the left arm and leg suggests a neurological deficit, which is a significant finding that requires immediate attention. It could indicate a potential stroke or another neurological emergency that requires prompt evaluation and intervention. The health care provider needs to be notified immediately so that appropriate diagnostic tests and interventions can be initiated.

Tremors in the fingers when extending the arms can be a sign of tremor disorders or medication side effects but may not warrant immediate intervention.

Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac arrhythmia that requires monitoring and management but may not be directly related to the acute neurological issue.

The headache reported by the patient, although significant, is subjective and may be related to the hypertensive emergency or other factors but does not require immediate intervention compared to the potential neurological deficit.

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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

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing a client with a history of high blood pressure. The client's blood pressure is 210/106 mm Hg during the assessment. What follow-up question should the nurse ask?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is assessing a client who has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a hypertensive emergency. Which finding is most important to report to the health care provider?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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