The nurse is caring for a client whose heart rate suddenly becomes irregular. When notifying the physician, the nurse anticipates an order for what diagnostic study?
1. Electrocardiogram
2. Echocardiogram
3. Cardiac catheterization
4. Thallium stress test
1
Rationale: An electrocardiogram is done to record electrical activity of the heart, and would be the diagnostic tool of choice to determine why the client's heart rate is irregular. Echocardiograms demonstrate the internal structure of the heart, and the thallium stress test measures areas of ischemia in the heart. Cardiac catheterization is the insertion of a catheter into the chambers of the heart, and allows for visualization of the coronary arteries and measurement of pressures within the chambers of the heart.
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a. Palpate over the Montgomery glands, checking for drainage. b. Consider these findings as normal, and proceed with the examination. c. Ask extensive health history questions regarding the woman's breast asymmetry. d. Continue with the examination, and then refer the patient for further evaluation of the Montgomery glands.
What must the nurse consider when critiquing research? (Select all that apply.)
1. The appropriateness of the design 2. The overall cost of the study 3. The ethical dimensions of the study 4. The significance of the problem 5. The generalizability of the findings
While inflating the balloon of a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) with 1.0 mL of air to obtain a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), the nurse encounters resistance. What is the best nursing action?
a. Add an additional 0.5 mL of air to the balloon and repeat the procedure. b. Advance the catheter with the balloon deflated and repeat the procedure. c. Deflate the balloon and obtain a chest x-ray study to determine line placement. d. Lock the balloon in the inflated position and flush the distal port of the PAC with normal saline.
An older patient asks the nurse, "What can we do to be prepared if there's a disaster in our community?" How should the nurse respond?
1. "There is not really much we can do to be prepared." 2. "Plan to evacuate your home at a moment's notice." 3. "Make sure all your important papers, health information, medication information, and next-of-kin information is in one place." 4. "Make sure you can call your family to come and pick you up if this happens."