A client with mitral stenosis tells the nurse that she will not seek treatment for this disorder because she "doesn't really feel that bad." The nurse's best response would be that untreated mi-tral stenosis can result in
a. creation of small emboli.
b. frequent bouts of pericarditis.
c. potentially fatal myocardial infarcts.
d. pulmonary effusion.
A
Untreated mitral stenosis can progress from mild disability to severe disability in about 3 years. Ineffective atrial contractions allow some stagnation of blood in the left atrium and encourage the formation of mural thrombi. These thrombi easily break away and travel as small emboli in the arterial system, causing tissue infarction. Untreated, a client can progress from asymptomatic to having a severe disability in less than 10 years.
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At 9:00 a.m., the OB nurse assesses fetal station at 0. The laboring woman has strong, regular contractions. At 10:30 a.m., the nurse again assesses fetal station at 0. What action by the nurse is best?
A. Document the findings and continue to assess frequently. B. Encourage the woman to bear down during contractions. C. Increase the woman's IV fluid rate and reassess in 30 minutes. D. Inform the provider and prepare for possible cesarean delivery.
When counseling the older adult patient about screening for preventive health, the nurse tells the patient that a complete physical for patients over 75 is recommended every:
a. 2 years. b. 6 months. c. 3 years. d. year.
The nurse caring for a 90-year-old patient with a closed head injury would immediately report:
1. blood pressure change from 147/72 to 176/70. 2. respiration rate increase from 14 to 18. 3. slow pupillary reaction bilaterally. 4. temperature decrease from 100.2 to 97.6.
During antitubercular therapy with isoniazid, the patient received another prescription for pyridoxin. Which statement by the nurse best explains the rationale for this second medication?
A. "This vitamin will help to improve your energy levels" B. "This helps to prevent neurologic adverse effects." C. "It works to protect your heart from toxic effects." D. "this drug works to reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects"