A nurse is caring for a patient with severe anemia. The patient is tachycardic and complains of dizziness and exertional dyspnea
The nurse knows that in an effort to deliver more blood to hypoxic tissue, the workload on the heart is increased. What signs and symptoms might develop if this patient goes into heart failure?
A) Peripheral edema
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Migraine
D) Fever
Ans: A
Feedback:
Cardiac status should be carefully assessed in patients with anemia. When the hemoglobin level is low, the heart attempts to compensate by pumping faster and harder in an effort to deliver more blood to hypoxic tissue. This increased cardiac workload can result in such symptoms as tachycardia, palpitations, dyspnea, dizziness, orthopnea, and exertional dyspnea. Heart failure may eventually develop, as evidenced by an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) and liver (hepatomegaly), and by peripheral edema. Nausea, migraine, and fever are not associated with heart failure.
You might also like to view...
Following an intravenous pyelogram, the nurse should watch the patient closely for a delayed reaction to the dye, usually occurring within ___ to ___ hours following the procedure
ANS:
How does the student nurse best prepare for the clinical experience?
1. Practice and review procedure for performing skills 2. Review class notes for the past week 3. Walk through the clinical facility 4. Show up for clinical 1 hour early
You are to connect a patient to a cardiac monitor. Which of the following actions should you take to ensure an accurate electrocardiogram tracing?
1) Select electrode placement sites over bony prominences. 2) Apply the electrodes immediately after cleansing the skin, before the alcohol evaporates. 3) Before applying the electrodes, rub the placement sites with gauze until the skin reddens. 4) Ensure that the gel on the back of the electrodes is dry.
Which clinical manifestation of Guillain-Barré syndrome reflects the most common clinical pattern of the disease?
A. Ophthalmoplegia and diplopia B. Progressive weakness without sensory involvement C. Progressive, ascending weakness and paresthesia D. Weakness of the face, jaw, and sternocleidomastoid muscles