PrepU Patho Ch 20

A nurse is performing client health education with a 68-year-old man who has recently been diagnosed with heart failure. Which statement demonstrates an accurate understanding of his new diagnosis?

"I'm trying to think of ways that I can cut down the amount of salt that I usually eat." Salt and fluid restrictions are indicated for most clients with heart failure (HF). Beta-blockers do not address shortness of breath, and cardiac medications are not normally taken in response to acute symptoms. Clients should be encouraged to maintain—and increase, if possible—physical activity within the limits of their condition.

In hypovolemic shock, renal perfusion and urinary output decline. The nurse will monitor urinary output and knows that output below which level indicates inadequate renal perfusion?

20 mL/hour In hypovolemia, renal vasculature is constricted in a compensatory attempt to circulate blood to more vital organs. Urinary output at 20 mL/hour or below indicates that renal perfusion is too inadequate.

The nurse is monitoring hourly urine output of a client diagnosed with hypovolemic shock. The nurse is most concerned if the client's output is:

20 mL/hour Urine output decreases very quickly in hypovolemic shock. Compensatory mechanisms decrease renal blood flow as a means of diverting blood flow to the heart and brain. Oliguria of 20 mL/hour or less indicates inadequate renal perfusion.

All of the following interventions are ordered STAT for a client stung by a bee who is experiencing severe respiratory distress and faintness. Which priority intervention will the nurse administer first?

Epinephrine Treatment includes immediate discontinuation of the inciting agent; close monitoring of CV and respiratory function; and maintenance of respiratory gas exchange, cardiac output, and tissue perfusion. Epinephrine is given in an anaphylactic reaction because it constricts blood vessels and relaxes the smooth muscle in the bronchioles.

Anaphylactic shock is the most severe form of systemic allergic reaction. Immunologically medicated substances are released into the blood, causing vasodilation and an increase in capillary permeability. What physiologic response often follows the vascular response in anaphylaxis?

Laryngeal edema Anaphylaxis is a clinical syndrome that represents the most severe form of systemic allergic reaction. Anaphylactic shock results from an immunologically mediated reaction in which vasodilator substances such as histamine are released into the blood. The vascular response in anaphylaxis is often accompanied by life-threatening laryngeal edema and bronchospasm, circulatory collapse, contraction of gastrointestinal and uterine smooth muscle, and urticaria (hives) or angioedema.

The nurse knows that which factors will ultimately affect stroke volume? Select all that apply

Preload Myocardial contractility Afterload Stroke volume (the amount of blood ejected with each ventricular contraction) is determined by preload (volume of blood in the left ventricle just before systole), afterload (peripheral vascular resistance), and the force of myocardial contraction. Heart rate will affect cardiac output. Ventricular automaticity (ability of ventricular cells to spontaneously depolarize) does not affect stroke volume but can affect heart rate if the sinoatrial node loses its ability to control the rate of ventricular contraction.

The health care provider is reviewing lab results of a client diagnosed with heart failure. The provider notes that the client's ANP and BNP levels have been increasing and remain significantly elevated. These results would be interpreted as:

The condition is getting progressively worse. Circulating levels of both ANP and BNP are elevated in persons with heart failure. The concentrations are well correlated with the extent of ventricular dysfunction, increasing up to 30-fold in persons with advanced heart disease. Assays of BNP are used clinically in the diagnosis of heart failure and to predict the severity of the condition.

A client who has progressed to late-stage heart failure is experiencing sympathetic stimulation. The nurse would correlate which manifestations with sympathetic response? Select all that apply.

Vasoconstriction Dysrhythmias Increased oxygen demand The sympathetic nervous system response is meant to maintain blood pressure and cardiac output; however, it quickly becomes maladaptive and contributes to the deterioration of heart function. An increase in sympathetic activity can lead to tachycardia, vasoconstriction, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Acutely, tachycardia significantly increases the workload of the heart, thus increasing myocardial oxygen demand and leading to cardiac ischemia, myocyte damage, and decreased contractility (inotropy).

An older adult client has been diagnosed with chronic heart failure. He is prescribed an ACE inhibitor to treat the symptoms and improve his quality of life. This drug will alleviate the client's symptoms of heart failure by:

blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. ACE inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. They do not directly affect renin synthesis, calcium channel function, or afterload.

Assessment of an older adult client reveals bilateral pitting edema of the client's feet and ankles; difficult to palpate pedal pulses; breath sounds clear on auscultation; oxygen saturation level of 93% (0.93); and vital signs normal. What is this client's most likely health problem?

right-sided heart failure A major effect of right-sided heart failure is the development of peripheral edema. A client who is in shock would not have stable vital signs. Cor pulmonale would be accompanied by manifestations of lung disease. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium exhibited by fever, precordial pain, dyspnea, and palpitations.