A patient has been admitted with an aortic valve stenosis and has been scheduled for a balloon valvuloplasty in the cardiac catheterization lab later today
During the admission assessment, the patient tells the nurse he has thoracolumbar scoliosis and is concerned about lying down for any extended period of time. What is a priority action for the nurse?
A) Arrange for an alternative bed.
B) Measure the degree of the curvature.
C) Notify the surgeon immediately.
D) Note the scoliosis on the intake assessment.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Most often used for mitral and aortic valve stenosis, balloon valvuloplasty is contraindicated for patients with left atrial or ventricular thrombus, severe aortic root dilation, significant mitral valve regurgitation, thoracolumbar scoliosis, rotation of the great vessels, and other cardiac conditions that require open heart surgery. Therefore notifying the physician would be the priority over further physical assessment. An alternative bed would be unnecessary and documentation is not a sufficient response.
You might also like to view...
During a neonatal examination, the nurse notices that the newborn infant has six toes. This finding is documented as:
a. Unidactyly. b. Syndactyly. c. Polydactyly. d. Multidactyly.
The research design for a quantitative study involves decisions with regard to all of the following, except:
A) Which conceptual framework to use B) Whether there will be an intervention C) What types of comparisons will be made D) How many times data will be collected
The nurse is providing education for a client at risk for urinary tract infection. Which beverage should the nurse encourage the client to drink?
a. Carbonated beverages b. Citric juices c. Milk d. Tomato juice
The nurse is teaching a class for clients about over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The nurse determines that education has been effective when the clients make which statement?
1. "We should not take any over-the-counter (OTC) medicine without first calling and checking with the doctor's office." 2. "We should always ask the pharmacist about how to take the over-the-counter (OTC) medicine." 3. "We must read all the directions on the label and call the doctor's office if they are not clear." 4. "Medicines that are available over-the-counter (OTC) are really safe, or they would be prescription medicines."