Dysrthmias Saunder's Review Questions

The nurse should evaluate that defibrillation of a client was most successful if which observation was made? 1. Arousable, sinus rhythm, blood pressure (BP) 116/72 mm Hg 2. Nonarousable, sinus rhythm, BP 88/60 mm Hg 3. Arousable, marked bradycardia, BP 86/54 mm Hg 4. Nonarousable, supraventricular tachycardia, BP 122/60 mm Hg

1. Arousable, sinus rhythm, blood pressure (BP) 116/72 mm Hg Rationale:After defibrillation, the client requires continuous monitoring of electrocardiographic rhythm, hemodynamic status, and neurological status. Respiratory and metabolic acidosis develop during ventricular fibrillation because of lack of respiration and cardiac output. These can cause cerebral and cardiopulmonary complications. Arousable status, adequate BP, and a sinus rhythm indicate successful response to defibrillation.

The nurse is caring for a client with cardiac disease who has been placed on a cardiac monitor. The nurse notes that the client has developed atrial fibrillation and has a rapid ventricular rate of 150 beats/minute. The nurse should next assess the client for which finding? 1. Hypotension 2. Flat neck veins 3. Complaints of nausea 4. Complaints of headache

1. Hypotension Rationale: The client with uncontrolled atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate greater than 100 beats/minute is at risk for low cardiac output because of loss of atrial kick. The nurse assesses the client for palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, hypotension, pulse deficit, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, syncope, shortness of breath, and distended neck veins.

A client with atrial fibrillation is receiving a continuous heparin infusion at 1000 units/hour. The nurse determines that the client is receiving the therapeutic effect based on which results? 1. Prothrombin time of 12.5 seconds 2. Activated partial thromboplastin time of 60 seconds 3. Activated partial thromboplastin time of 28 seconds 4. Activated partial thromboplastin time longer than 120 seconds

2. Activated partial thromboplastin time of 60 seconds Rationale: Common laboratory ranges for activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) are 30 to 40 seconds. Because the aPTT should be 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal value, the client's aPTT would be considered therapeutic if it was 60 seconds. Prothrombin time assesses response to warfarin therapy.

A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is brought to the emergency department and states that he has accidentally been taking 2 times his prescribed dose of warfarin for the past week. After noting that the client has no evidence of obvious bleeding, the nurse plans to take which action? 1. Prepare to administer an antidote. 2. Draw a sample for type and crossmatch and transfuse the client. 3. Draw a sample for an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) level. 4. Draw a sample for prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR).

4. Draw a sample for prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR). Rationale:The action that the nurse should take is to draw a sample for PT and INR level to determine the client's anticoagulation status and risk for bleeding. These results will provide information as to how to best treat this client (e.g., if an antidote such as vitamin K or a blood transfusion is needed). The aPTT monitors the effects of heparin therapy.

A client with an acute respiratory infection is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of sinus tachycardia. Which nursing action should be included in the client's plan of care? 1. Limiting oral and intravenous fluids 2. Measuring the client's pulse each shift 3. Providing the client with short, frequent walks 4. Eliminating sources of caffeine from meal trays

4. Eliminating sources of caffeine from meal trays Rationale:Sinus tachycardia often is caused by fever, physical and emotional stress, heart failure, hypovolemia, certain medications, nicotine, caffeine, and exercise. Fluid restriction and exercise will not alleviate tachycardia. Measuring the pulse each shift will not decrease the heart rate. In addition, the pulse should be taken more frequently than each shift.

The nurse identifies that a client is having occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) on the cardiac monitor. The nurse reviews the client's laboratory results and determines that which result would be consistent with the observation? 1. Serum chloride level of 98 mEq/L (98 mmol/L) 2. Serum sodium level of 145 mEq/L (145 mmol/L) 3. Serum calcium level of 10.5 mg/dL (2.75 mmol/L) 4. Serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L (2.8 mmol/L)

4. Serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L (2.8 mmol/L) Rationale: The nurse should check the client's serum laboratory study results for hypokalemia. The client may experience PVCs in the presence of hypokalemia because this electrolyte imbalance increases the electrical instability of the heart. The values noted in the remaining options are normal.

The nurse is initiating 1-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation on an adult client. The nurse should place the hands in which position to begin chest compressions? 1. On the lower half of the sternum 2. On the upper half of the sternum 3. On the lower third of the sternum 4. On the upper third of the sternum

1. On the lower half of the sternum Rationale: Chest locations are found by placing the hands on the lower half of the sternum. To locate this area, find the notch where the rib margin meets the sternum, and place the middle finger on this notch and the index finger next to it. Next, place the heel of the opposite hand on the lower half of the sternum, close to the index finger. Remove the first hand, place it on top of the hand on the sternum, and begin chest compressions. Chest compressions will not be as effective with the hand placements described in the remaining options.

The nurse is teaching chest compressions for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a group of lay clients. Which behavior by one of the participants indicates a need for further teaching? 1. Keeping the shoulders directly over the hands 2. Straightening the arms and locking the elbows 3. Letting the right and left fingers rest on the chest 4. Performing compressions on the lower half of the sternum

3. Letting the right and left fingers rest on the chest Rationale: To maximize the effectiveness of chest compressions, the rescuer avoids letting the fingers rest on the chest. This also helps prevent accidental injury to internal organs. The actions listed in the other options are all part of correct CPR procedures.

Which laboratory test results may be associated with peaked or tall, tented T waves on a client's electrocardiogram (ECG)? 1. Chloride level of 98 mEq/L (98 mmol/L) 2. Sodium level of 135 mEq/L (135 mmol/L) 3. Potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L (6.8 mmol/L) 4. Magnesium level of 1.6 mEq/L (0.8 mmol/L)

3. Potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L (6.8 mmol/L) Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause tall, peaked, or tented T waves on the ECG. Potassium levels of 5.0 mEq/L (5.0 mmol/L) or greater indicate hyperkalemia. Options 1, 2, and 4 are normal levels.

A client is being treated with procainamide for a cardiac dysrhythmia. Following intravenous administration of the medication, the client complains of dizziness. What intervention should the nurse take first? 1. Measure the heart rate on the rhythm strip. 2. Administer prescribed nitroglycerin tablets. 3. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram immediately. 4. Auscultate the client's apical pulse and obtain a blood pressure.

4. Auscultate the client's apical pulse and obtain a blood pressure. Rationale: Signs of toxicity from procainamide include confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, decreased urination, nausea, vomiting, and tachydysrhythmias. If the client complains of dizziness, the nurse should assess the vital signs first. Although measuring the heart rate on the rhythm strip and obtaining a 12-lead electrocardiogram may be interventions, these would be done after the vital signs are taken. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator and will lower the blood pressure.