Cardiac -- DVT/PE

A client with deep vein thrombosis suddenly develops dyspnea, tachypnea, and chest discomfort. What should the nurse do first? 1. Elevate the head of the bed 30 to 45 degrees. 2. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe. 3. Auscultate the lungs to detect abnormal breath sounds. 4. Contact the physician.

1. Elevating the head of the bed facilitates breathing because the lungs are able to expand as the diaphragm descends. Coughing and deep breathing do not alleviate the symptoms of a pulmonary embolus, nor does lung auscultation. The physician must be kept informed of changes in a client's status, but the priority in this case is alleviating the symptoms.

37. A patient with primary pulmonary hypertension is receiving nifedipine (Procardia). The nurse will evaluate that the treatment is effective if a. the patient reports decreased exertional dyspnea. b. the blood pressure is less than 140/90 mm Hg. c. the heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats/minute. d. the patient's chest x-ray indicates clear lung fields.

A Rationale: Since a major symptom of PPH is exertional dyspnea, an improvement in this symptom would indicate that the medication was effective. Nifedipine will affect BP and heart rate, but these parameters would not be used to monitor effectiveness of therapy for a patient with PPH. The chest x-ray will show clear lung fields even if the therapy is not effective. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 601 Nursing Process: Evaluation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

47. A patient with a deep vein thrombophlebitis complains of sudden chest pain and difficulty breathing. The nurse finds a heart rate of 142, BP of 100/60, and respirations of 42. The nurse's first action should be to a. elevate the head of the bed. b. administer the ordered pain medication. c. notify the patient's health care provider. d. offer emotional support and reassurance.

A Rationale: The patient has symptoms consistent with a pulmonary embolism; elevating the head of the bed will improve ventilation and gas exchange. The other actions can be accomplished after the head is elevated (and oxygen is started). Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 599 Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

36. The nurse is caring for a patient with primary pulmonary hypertension who is receiving epoprostenol (Flolan). Which assessment information requires the most immediate action? a. The international normalized ratio (INR) is prolonged. b. The central line is disconnected. c. The oxygen saturation is 90%. d. The BP is 88/56.

B Rationale: The half-life of this drug is 6 minutes, so the nurse will need to restart the infusion as soon as possible to prevent rapid clinical deterioration. The other data also indicate a need for ongoing monitoring or intervention, but the priority action is to reconnect the infusion. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 601 Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

42. All of the following information is obtained by the nurse who is caring for a patient receiving subcutaneous heparin injections to treat a pulmonary embolus. Which assessment data is most important to communicate to the health care provider? a. The patient has many abdominal bruises. b. The patient's BP is 90/46. c. The activated partial thromboplastin time is 2 times the patient baseline. d. The patient's stool is dark green and liquid.

B Rationale: The low BP may indicate that the patient is experiencing bleeding, a possible adverse effect of heparin therapy. Subcutaneous heparin administration is given into the subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen and abdominal bruising is not unusual. An aPTT 2 times the baseline indicates a therapeutic heparin level. The patient should be monitored for gastrointestinal bleeding, which would be indicated by black or red stools. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 600 Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

43. In developing a teaching plan for a patient who is being discharged with a warfarin (Coumadin) prescription after having a pulmonary embolus, the nurse will include information about a. where to schedule activated partial thromboplastin time testing. b. avoidance of a high protein diet. c. how to obtain enteric-coated aspirin. d. foods that are high in vitamin K.

D Rationale: The patient who is taking Coumadin should have a consistent vitamin K intake, since vitamin K interferes with the effect of the medication. INR testing, rather than aPTT testing, is used to monitor for a therapeutic level of Coumadin. Aside from vitamin K, there are no other dietary requirements associated with Coumadin use. Aspirin should be avoided when taking anticoagulant medications because of the effect on platelet function. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 600 Nursing Process: Planning NCLEX: Physiological Integrity