Diagnosis of heart failure cannot be made by symptoms alone because many disorders share the same symptoms. The most specific and sensitive diagnostic test for heart failure is:
1. Chest x-rays that show cephalization and measure heart size
2. Two-dimensional echocardiograms that identify structural anomalies and cardiac dysfunction
3. Complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, and serum electrolytes that facilitate staging for end-organ damage
4. Measurement of brain natriuretic peptide to distinguish between systolic and diastolic dysfunction
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A nurse is caring for a 1-year-old child who was admitted for seizures. The parents ask what could have caused the child's seizure. The nurse explains that seizures can be caused by which problems? (Select all that apply.)
A. Brain injury B. Central nervous system infection C. Hypertension D. Renal failure E. Unknown cause
The nurse is caring for a client with COPD. It is time to do discharge teaching with this client. The nurse teaches the client about breathing exercises. What should the nurse include in the teaching?
A) Make inhalation longer than exhalation B) Exhale through an open mouth C) Use diaphragmatic breathing D) Use chest breathing
Inspection of Mr. Green's chest also reveals a wider costal angle. What is the costal angle for a healthy adult?
A) 45 degrees B) 90 degrees C) 160 degrees D) 180 degrees
A patient who is diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) tells the nurse, "I feel obsessed with thoughts about dying. Do you think I am just being morbid?" Which response by the nurse is best?
a. "Thinking about dying will not improve the course of AIDS." b. "It is important to focus on the good things about your life now." c. "Do you think that taking an antidepressant might be helpful to you?" d. "Can you tell me more about the kind of thoughts that you are having?"