The patient is being considered for treatment with levosimendan (Simdax). Before initiating drug therapy for suspected heart failure, the patient should undergo:
a. Cardiac catheterization
b. Assessment of cardiac output
c. Assessment of atrial function
d. Assessment of ventricular function
ANS: D
Ensure that all patients with suspected or clinically evident heart failure have documented as-sessment of ventricular function (ejection fraction) before starting drug therapy.
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A nurse is caring for a patient. Visitors at the bedside include the patient's life partner, widowed mother, sister, and nephew. The nurse acknowledges that current trends in American families include which of the following?
a. Couples deciding to have many children b. A declining divorce rate c. Changing family patterns d. Fewer people choosing to live alone
The 36-year-old client who has a suspicious mammogram says that her mother died of bone cancer when she was 40 years old. Which is the most important question for the nurse to ask this client next?
A. "Have any other members of your family had bone cancer?" B. "Did your mother ever have any other type of cancer?" C. "How old were you when you started your periods?" D. "Did your mother have regular mammograms?"
When considering developmental norms for moral development, nurses must be alert for (select all that apply):
a. gender. d. norms. b. cultural factors. e. bias. c. faith development.
The nurse is aware that to achieve the most therapeutic effects, the best time to administer oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) is:
1. as soon as the client has been exposed to someone with influenza. 2. any time during the course of the illness. 3. at the same time as the vaccine. 4. within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.