The nurse is caring for a patient who is an intravenous drug user. The nurse anticipates the need for assessment for which cardiac complication?
1. Cardiac tamponade
2. Myocardial infarction
3. Congestive heart failure
4. Infective endocarditis
Answer: 4
Explanation: A relatively uncommon disease in the general population, infective endocarditis involves an infection of the interior surface of the heart, usually stemming from bacteria in the bloodstream. These infections then lead to destruction of cardiac tissue, causing irreparable damage to the valves of the heart and symptoms consistent with both systemic infection and cardiac dysfunction. Patients who abuse drugs by injection are at greatest risk for developing infective endocarditis. Cardiac tamponade, congestive heart failure, and myocardial infarction may occur in intravenous drug users; however, these individuals are at greatest risk for developing infective endocarditis.
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Which of the following responses is most helpful to the client when in an emergency situation?
A) A response by the cardiovascular system B) A response by the sympathetic nervous system C) A response by the central nervous system D) A response by the musculoskeletal system
To support the natural wound-healing process, the general rule regarding acute dressing changes is that:
A) Acute wounds should remain covered for 24 hours. B) Dressings must be changed every 8 hours. C) Acute wounds should be left covered for 48 to 72 hours absent infection or heavy discharge. D) Acute wounds should be left uncovered.
The home care client with a leg wound is unable to climb stairs to the second floor where the bathtub is located to clean and mechanically debride his wound. What is the nurse's best re-sponse?
A. "I'll show you how to use a 35-mL syringe to achieve the same effect." B. "It is no longer necessary to clean this wound because it is not infected." C. "You can use the kitchen sink and clean tap water for this purpose." D. "This is an important part of your treatment, so you will have to come to the hos-pital each day for hydrotherapy."
Why is methicillin no longer used for treating patients with resistant staphylococcal infections?
A. Methicillin is no longer resistant to penicillinase. B. Bacteria have become resistant. C. Methicillin is no longer available because of its toxicity. D. Penicillin-binding proteins have changed so that methicillin is now ineffective.