NCLEX Med Surg Cardiovascular

The nurse is asked to assist another health care member in providing care to a client who is placed in a modified Trendelenburg's position. The nurse interprets that the client is likely being treated for which condition?

Shock

A client is admitted to the hospital with possible rheumatic endocarditis. The nurse should check for a history of which type of infection?

Streptococcal infection

The nurse is assigned to assist with caring for a client after cardiac catheterization performed through the left femoral artery. The nurse should plan to maintain bed rest for this client in which position?

Supine with head elevation no greater than 30 degrees

When preparing a client for a pericardiocentesis, in which position does the nurse place the client?

Supine with the head of bed elevated at a 45- to 60-degree angle

An ambulatory clinic nurse is interviewing a client who is complaining of flulike symptoms. The client suddenly develops chest pain. Which question best assists the nurse to discriminate pain caused by a noncardiac problem?

"Does the pain get worse when you breathe in?"

The nurse is teaching the client with angina pectoris about disease management and lifestyle changes that are necessary in order to control disease progression. Which statements by the client indicate a need for further teaching? Select all that apply.

"I am going to switch to electronic cigarettes." "It is best to exercise once a week for an hour."

A client diagnosed with angina pectoris returns to the nursing unit after experiencing an angioplasty. The nurse reinforces instructions to the client regarding the procedure and home care measures. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the instructions?

"I need to adhere to my dietary restrictions."

The nurse is giving discharge instructions to the client with varicose veins. The nurse realizes there is a need for further teaching when the client makes which statement?

"I need to sit as much as possible with my legs elevated."

The nurse reinforces instructions to a client at risk for thrombophlebitis regarding measures to minimize its occurrence. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of this information?

"I should avoid sitting in one position for long periods of time."

The nurse has reinforced dietary instructions to a client with coronary artery disease. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the dietary instructions?

"I should routinely use polyunsaturated oils in my diet."

The nurse is discussing smoking cessation with a client diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). Which statement should the nurse make to the client to try to motivate the client to quit smoking?

"If you quit now, your risk of cardiovascular disease will decrease to that of a nonsmoker in 3 to 4 years."

The nurse has reinforced instructions to the client with Raynaud's disease about self-management of the disease process. The nurse determines that the client needs further teaching if the client makes which statement?

"Moving to a warmer climate should help."

While the nurse is involved in preparing a client for a cardiac catheterization, the client says, "I don't want to talk with you. You're only the nurse. I want my doctor." Which response by the nurse should be therapeutic?

"So you're saying that you want to talk to your health care provider?"

A client is seen in the health care provider's office for a physical examination after experiencing unusual fatigue over the last several weeks. Height is 5 feet, 8 inches, with a weight of 220 pounds. Vital signs are temperature 98.6° F oral, pulse 86 beats per minute, respirations 18 breaths per minute, and blood pressure 184/96 mm Hg. Random blood glucose is 110 mg/dL. In order to best collect relevant data, which question should the nurse ask the client first?

"When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked?"

The nurse is collecting data on a client with a diagnosis of angina pectoris who takes nitroglycerin for chest pain. During the admission, the client reports chest pain. The nurse immediately asks the client which question?

"Where is the pain located?"

The nurse finds a client tensing while lying in bed staring at the cardiac monitor. The client states, "There sure are a lot of wires around there. I sure hope we don't get hit by lightning!" Which is the nurse's best response?

"Yes, this equipment is a little scary. Can we talk about how the cardiac monitor works?"

The nurse in a medical unit is caring for a client with heart failure. The client suddenly develops extreme dyspnea, tachycardia, and lung crackles, and the nurse suspects pulmonary edema. The nurse immediately notifies the registered nurse (RN) and expects which interventions to be prescribed? Select all that apply.

Administering oxygen Inserting a Foley catheter Administering furosemide Administering morphine sulfate intravenously

The nurse is planning to reinforce instructions to a client with peripheral arterial disease about measures to limit disease progression. The nurse should include which items on a list of suggestions to be given to the client? Select all that apply.

Be careful not to injure the legs or feet. Walk each day to increase circulation to the legs. Cut down on the amount of fats consumed in the diet.

A client is diagnosed with thrombophlebitis. The nurse should tell the client that which prescription is indicated?

Bed rest with elevation of the affected extremity

A client asks the nurse about metabolic syndrome and what it means. The teaching plan should include which characteristics that define metabolic syndrome? Select all that apply.

Blood pressure is elevated with systolic values greater than 130 mm Hg and diastolic values greater than 85 mm Hg. The client has abdominal obesity with a waist greater than 40 inches in males and greater 35 inches in females.

A client is scheduled for a dipyridamole thallium scan. The nurse should check to make sure that the client has not consumed which substance before the procedure?

Caffeine

A client is wearing a continuous cardiac monitor which begins to alarm at the nurse's station. The nurse sees no electrocardiographic complexes on the screen. The nurse should do which action first?

Check the client status and lead placement.

The nurse is collecting data on a client with a diagnosis of right-sided heart failure. The nurse should expect to note which specific characteristic of this condition?

Dependent edema

A client brings the following medications to the clinic for a yearly physical. The nurse realizes which medication has been prescribed to treat heart failure?

Digoxin

The nurse is monitoring a client with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Which finding is probably unrelated to the AAA?

Hyperactive bowel sounds in the area

A client is diagnosed with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). The nurse should become concerned with which laboratory values? Select all that apply.

Increased D-dimer Decreased hemoglobin Decreased fibrinogen level

The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) and is assisting the client in completing the diet menu. Which beverage does the nurse instruct the client to select from the menu?

Lemonade

The nurse is assisting with caring for the client immediately after insertion of a permanent demand pacemaker via the right subclavian vein. The nurse prevents dislodgement of the pacing catheter by implementing which intervention?

Limiting movement and abduction of the right arm

The client scheduled for a right femoropopliteal bypass graft is at risk for compromised tissue perfusion to the extremity. The nurse takes which action before surgery to address this risk?

Marking the location of the pedal pulses on the right leg

The nurse is checking the neurovascular status of a client who returned to the surgical nursing unit 4 hours ago, after undergoing an aortoiliac bypass graft. The affected leg is warm, and the nurse notes redness and edema. The pedal pulse is palpable and unchanged from admission. Based on this data, the nurse should make which determination about the client's neurovascular status?

Normal, caused by increased blood flow through the leg

The nurse is caring for a client who is developing pulmonary edema. The client exhibits respiratory distress, but the blood pressure is unchanged from the client's baseline. As an immediate action before help arrives, the nurse should perform which action?

Place the client in high-Fowler's position.

The nurse is working with a client who has been diagnosed with Prinzmetal's (variant) angina. The nurse plans to reinforce which information about this type of angina when teaching the client?

Prinzmetal's angina is generally treated with calcium channel blocking agents.

A client is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization using a radiopaque dye. The nurse checks which most critical item before the procedure?

Prior reaction to contrast media

A client has an Unna boot applied for treatment of a venous stasis leg ulcer. The nurse notes that the client's toes are mottled and cool, and the client verbalizes some numbness and tingling of the foot. Which interpretation should the nurse make of these findings?

The boot has been applied too tightly.

The primary health care provider (PHCP) is going to perform carotid massage on a client with rapid rate atrial fibrillation. Which interventions should the nurse anticipate? Select all that apply.

The client should be placed on a cardiac monitor. Rhythm strips should be obtained before, during, and after the procedure. Monitor the vital signs, cardiac rhythm, and level of consciousness after the procedure.

The nurse working in a long-term care facility is collecting data from a client experiencing chest pain. The nurse should interpret that the pain is likely a result of myocardial infarction (MI) if which observation is made by the nurse?

The pain has not been relieved by rest and nitroglycerin tablets

For a client diagnosed with pulmonary edema, the nurse establishes a goal to have the client participate in activities that reduce cardiac workload. Which client activities will contribute to achieving this goal?

Using a bedside commode for stools

The nurse is talking with a client with angina about factors that can precipitate an angina attack. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the precipitating events?

"I will pay my neighbor to shovel my snow this winter."

A postcardiac surgery client with a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 45 mg/dL (16.2 mmol/L) and a serum creatinine level of 2.2 mg/dL (193.6 mcmol/L) has a total 2-hour urine output of 25 mL. The nurse understands that the client is at risk for which condition?

Acute kidney injury

A client has an inoperable abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Which measure should the nurse anticipate reinforcing when teaching the client?

Antihypertensives

A hospitalized client with a history of angina pectoris is ambulating in the corridor. The client suddenly complains of severe substernal chest pain. The nurse should take which action first?

Assist the client to sit or lie down.

The clinic nurse is obtaining cardiovascular data on a client. The nurse prepares to check the client's apical pulse and places the stethoscope in which position?

At the midclavicular line at the fifth left intercostal space

The nurse is preparing to ambulate a postoperative client after cardiac surgery. The nurse plans to do which to enable the client to best tolerate the ambulation?

Premedicate the client with an analgesic before ambulating.

A client has been diagnosed with Prinzmetal's angina. The nurse reviews the medical record and notes which accompanying characteristics? Select all that apply.

Prolonged severe pain Happens at the same time each day

A client diagnosed with thrombophlebitis 1 day ago suddenly complains of chest pain and shortness of breath, and the client is visibly anxious. Which is a life-threatening complication that could be occurring?

Pulmonary embolism

A client in pulmonary edema has a prescription to receive morphine sulfate intravenously. The licensed practical nurse assisting in caring for the client determines that the client experienced an intended effect of the medication if which is noted?

Relief of apprehension

The licensed practical nurse (LPN) is assisting in caring for a client with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). The client is experiencing chest pain that is unrelieved by the administration of nitroglycerin. The registered nurse administers morphine sulfate to the client as prescribed by the health care provider. Following administration of the morphine sulfate, the LPN plans to monitor which indicator(s)?

Respirations and blood pressure

A student nurse is assigned to assist in caring for a client with acute pulmonary edema who is receiving digoxin and heparin therapy. The nursing instructor reviews the plan of care formulated by the student and tells the student that which intervention is unsafe?

Restricting the client's potassium intake

The nurse notes bilateral 2+ edema in the lower extremities of a client with known coronary artery disease who was admitted to the hospital 2 days ago. Based on this finding, the nurse should implement which action?

Review the intake and output records for the last 2 days.

The nurse is assisting in caring for a client in the telemetry unit and is monitoring the client for cardiac changes indicative of hypokalemia. Which occurrence noted on the cardiac monitor indicates the presence of hypokalemia?

ST-segment depression

The nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of angina pectoris. What are included in the discharge plan? Select all that apply.

Smoking cessation Get a flue vaccination Limit activity in cold weather Check blood pressure and pulse

A 24-year-old man seeks medical attention for complaints of claudication in the arch of the foot. The nurse also notes superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower leg. Next, the nurse should check the client's medical history for which item?

Smoking history

The nurse is monitoring a client following cardioversion. Which observations should be of highest priority to the nurse?

Status of airway

The nurse has reinforced home care instructions to a client who had a permanent pacemaker inserted. Which educational outcome has the greatest impact on the client's long-term cardiac health?

The ability to take an accurate pulse in either the wrist or neck

The nurse is preparing to care for a client who will be arriving from the recovery room after an above-the-knee amputation. The nurse ensures that which priority item is available for emergency use?

Surgical tourniquet

The nurse is assisting in caring for a client in the telemetry unit who is receiving an intravenous infusion of 1000 mL 5% dextrose with 40 mEq of potassium chloride. Which occurrence observed on the cardiac monitor indicates the presence of hyperkalemia?

Tall, peaked T waves

A client with myocardial infarction (MI) has been transferred from the coronary care unit (CCU) to the general medical unit with cardiac monitoring via telemetry. The nurse assisting in caring for the client expects to note which type of activity prescribed?

Bathroom privileges and self-care activities

The nurse determines that a client with coronary artery disease (CAD) needs further teaching about disease management if the client makes which statement?

"I will avoid walking for exercise."

A client with myocardial infarction suddenly becomes tachycardic, shows signs of air hunger, and begins coughing frothy, pink-tinged sputum. The nurse listens to breath sounds expecting to hear which breath sounds bilaterally?

Crackles

A client has experienced an episode of pulmonary edema. The nurse determines that the client's respiratory status is improving if which breath sounds are noted?

Crackles in the lung bases

An emergency department client who complains of slightly improved but unrelieved chest pain for 2 days is reluctant to take a nitroglycerin sublingual tablet offered by the nurse. The client states, "I don't need that—my dad takes that for his heart. There's nothing wrong with my heart." Which description best describes the client's response?

Denial

A client with heart failure is scheduled to be discharged to home with digoxin and furosemide as ongoing prescribed medications. The nurse teaches the client to report which sign/symptom that indicates the medications are not producing the intended effect?

Weight gain of 2 to 3 pounds in a few days

A client returns to the nursing unit after an above-knee amputation of the right leg. In which position should the nurse place the client?

With the foot of the bed elevated