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While an absent pulse can occur in extreme cases of poor perfusion, it is not typical in atrial fibrillation. In AFib, the heart still contracts, though irregularly, so the pulse is usually detectable.

A bounding pulse is strong, forceful, and easily palpable, often seen in conditions like hyperthyroidism, fever, or aortic regurgitation. AFib does not typically produce a bounding pulse; instead, the pulse may feel weak or variable due to irregular ventricular contractions.

A regular pulse indicates consistent rhythm and timing between beats. In atrial fibrillation, the atria fire chaotically, leading to an irregularly irregular pulse. A regular pulse is more characteristic of normal sinus rhythm or controlled atrial flutter.

While PTBV is less invasive than open surgery, it usually requires moderate sedation or general anesthesia for patient comfort and safety. Local anesthesia alone is rarely sufficient.

PTBV improves valve opening temporarily, but valve restenosis can occur over time, so the correction is not necessarily permanent. Valve replacement provides a more long-term solution.

While PTBV avoids prosthetic material and thus may reduce some infection risks, infection is generally not the primary concern with valve replacement, and the overall difference in infection risk is not a primary advantage cited for PTBV.

This would indicate possible fluid retention or worsening heart function, not effective diuretic therapy. Effective diuretics usually help reduce fluid overload, which may lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Rapid weight gain is a sign of fluid retention, which suggests diuretic therapy is not effective or the patient’s heart failure is worsening.

While these can occur due to electrolyte imbalances caused by diuretics, they are adverse effects rather than indicators of effectiveness.

While dehydration or hypovolemia can lead to tachycardia as the body attempts to maintain cardiac output, it does not typically cause bradycardia. Bradycardia usually results from conduction abnormalities, medications, or increased vagal tone rather than low fluid volume.

Anxiety triggers sympathetic nervous system activation, which increases heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, it is more likely to produce tachycardia rather than a slow heart rate.

Fever increases metabolic demand, leading to compensatory tachycardia, not bradycardia. A slow heart rate in a febrile client would be atypical and may suggest other underlying conditions, such as conduction disorders or drug effects.

This is not represented by the P wave. Repolarization of the ventricular conduction system is a component of the later part of the ECG, mainly within the T wave.

Ventricular depolarization is represented by the QRS complex, not the P wave. This reflects the spread of electrical impulses through the ventricles, leading to ventricular contraction.

Early repolarization of the ventricles occurs at the beginning of the ST segment and is not associated with the P wave.

A normal QRS duration is 0.06–0.10 seconds. A duration of 0.20 seconds indicates a ventricular conduction delay or bundle branch block, which is not normal sinus rhythm.

A normal PR interval is 0.12–0.20 seconds. A measurement of 0.22 seconds suggests a first-degree heart block, which is an abnormal finding.

Normally, T waves are upright in most leads. Inverted T waves can indicate ischemia, infarction, or electrolyte disturbances, which are not consistent with normal sinus rhythm.

This is a long-term treatment for recurrent VT or other arrhythmias. It is not an immediate intervention for acute, unstable VT.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed only if the client is pulseless and unresponsive. While CPR may be necessary in cardiac arrest, it is not the first-line intervention for VT with a pulse.

Synchronized cardioversion is used for hemodynamically stable VT with a pulse, but the term “elective” implies a planned procedure, not emergency management.

An ACE inhibitor used in heart failure, captopril reduces afterload, decreases blood pressure, and improves cardiac output. It is safe for clients with asthma because it does not cause bronchoconstriction. Nurses should monitor for side effects like cough or hyperkalemia, but respiratory status is typically not affected.

This nitrate reduces preload through venous dilation, helping relieve heart failure symptoms. It is generally safe for clients with asthma because it does not affect bronchial smooth muscle. Nurses should monitor for headache, hypotension, and dizziness as common side effects.

An inhaled corticosteroid indicated for asthma management, fluticasone reduces airway inflammation and prevents asthma exacerbations. It is safe to use in clients with heart failure and does not interact adversely with cardiac medications.

While defibrillation may be necessary, it should not be the first action. Immediate assessment determines whether the client is pulseless or unstable, which guides the appropriate intervention.

Delaying assessment to contact the provider could waste critical time, especially in life-threatening arrhythmias like VT. Nurses must act immediately according to the patient’s condition and protocols.

Antiarrhythmic drugs may be indicated after assessment and determination of stability, but they are not the initial intervention. Immediate evaluation of ABCs is required to prevent deterioration.