Cardio

A client who is suspected of having had a silent myocardial infarction has an electrocardiogram (ECG) prescribed by the primary healthcare provider. While the nurse prepares the client for this procedure, the client asks, "Why was this test prescribed?" Which is the best reply by the nurse?

"This test will reflect any heart damage."

The primary healthcare provider prescribes 80 mg of furosemide by mouth daily. Before administering the furosemide, which action is the priority?

Check the potassium lab results.

A client with a history of occasional pain in the left foot when walking now has pain at rest. The left foot is cyanotic, numb, and painful. The suspected cause is arteriosclerosis. Which information will the nurse share with the client to help decrease the pain?

Comply with the prescribed exercise program Rationale An exercise/rest program helps develop collateral circulation, which improves well-being and enables clients to increase their ability to walk longer distances.

A client with a history of angina is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Catheter entry will be through the femoral artery. What should the nurse tell the client to expect?

Experience a feeling of warmth during the procedure

A client admitted to the hospital for chest pain is diagnosed with stable angina. Which information should the nurse include in the teaching session?

It is relieved by rest.

An older client with hypertension is admitted to the hospital. Which data from the client's history and diagnostic workup represent risk factors for hypertension?

Occasional cocaine use,African-American heritage. Rationale Cocaine is a stimulant that causes tachycardia and hypertension. Hypertension is more prevalent in African-Americans in the United States. Aspirin decreases platelet aggregation, thus reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease. Lowered hemoglobin may increase the heart rate, not the blood pressure. Increased HDL reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease because it helps to remove excess cholesterol from the blood, thereby preventing atheromas.

A client is admitted to the hospital with a recurrence of chronic arterial insufficiency of the legs. Which clinical manifestations does the nurse expect to identify when performing an admission history and physical?

Pain when exercising and thickening of the toenails

A client with a history of heart failure on daily weights has a 2-pound (0.9 kilogram) weight gain and pitting edema in lower extremities bilaterally. Which action should the nurse take next?

Perform a head-to-toe assessment, including vital signs. Rationale Performing a head-to-toe assessment, including vital signs, would indicate symptoms, such as jugular distention with right-sided heart failure, or pulmonary issues (crackles) associated with left-sided heart failure.

A client with a long history of cardiovascular problems, including angina and hypertension, is scheduled to have a cardiac catheterization. During preprocedure teaching, what does the nurse explains to the client is the major purpose for catheterization?

To visualize the disease process in the coronary arteries

A client with angina pectoris is scheduled for a stress echocardiogram. What should the nurse tell the client that an echocardiogram is?

A noninvasive approach to assess cardiovascular status

A registered nurse is teaching a nursing student about when a client with high blood pressure should follow up with the primary healthcare provider. Which statement made by the nursing student indicates effective learning?

"I will advise a client with a blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg to follow up in a year." Rationale A client with prehypertension tends to have a blood pressure (BP) between 120/80 and 139/89 mm Hg. These clients should be rechecked in a year. Clients with BP less than 120/80 mm Hg are considered normal. These clients should be rechecked in two years. Clients with stage 1 hypertension have a BP between 140/90 and 159/99 mm Hg. These clients should be rechecked in two months to confirm stage 1 hypertension. Clients with stage 2 hypertension have a BP greater than 160/100 mm Hg. These clients should be rechecked in one month. If a client's BP is greater than 180/110 mm Hg, then he or she should be treated immediately or within 1 week.

A client is experiencing a myocardial infarction. What should the nurse identify as the primary cause of the pain experienced by a client with a coronary occlusion?

Heart muscle ischemia

client is admitted to the hospital with a long history of hypertension. The nurse should assess the client for which complication?

Kidney failure

A client is admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit with intense chest pain. What pain relief medication does the nurse expect to find on the plan of care for this client?

Morphine Morphine is the drug of choice for a myocardial infarction because it relieves pain quickly and reduces anxiety.

The nurse is caring for a client hospitalized with a myocardial infarction. Which analgesic is the drug of choice for this client?

Morphine sulfate

The nurse's physical assessment of a client with heart failure reveals tachypnea and bilateral crackles. Which is the priority nursing intervention?

Place client in a high-Fowler position

A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of right ventricular heart failure. The nurse expects what assessment findings associated with right-sided heart failure?

Right upper quadrant discomfort, Dependent edema, Swollen hands and fingers

A client is admitted to the hospital with chest pain and a diagnosis of myocardial infarction. How would the nurse expect the client to describe the chest pain?

Severe, intense

Metoprolol is prescribed for a client. Which condition in the client's electronic medical record will cause the nurse to question the prescription?

Sinus bradycardia

A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) or peripheral arterial disease. Which is the most beneficial lifestyle modification the nurse should teach this client?

Stop smoking Smoking is the single most important risk factor for peripheral arterial diseases, and cessation should be encouraged.

Which organism is responsible for infective endocarditis?

Streptococcus viridians

Serum cardiac marker studies are prescribed for a client after a myocardial infarction. Which laboratory test is most important for the nurse to monitor?

Troponin