Cardiac dysrhythmias and other NCLEX

Cardiac dysrhythmias and other NCLEX

The healthcare provider is performing an assessment on a patient who is taking propranolol (Inderal) for supraventricular tachycardia. Which assessment finding is an indication the patient is experiencing an adverse effect of this drug?

Dry mouth

Bradycardia

Urinary retention

Paresthesia - ✔✔Bradycardia

A patient is being discharged after the insertion of a permanent pacemaker. Which statement made by the patient indicates an understanding regarding appropriate self-care?

"Every morning I will perform arm and shoulder stretches."

"Each day I'll take my pulse and record it in a log."

"I'll have to get rid of my microwave oven."

"I won't be able to use my electric blanket anymore." - ✔✔Each day I'll take my pulse and record it in a log

A patient who has experienced atrial fibrillation for the past 3 days is admitted to the cardiac care unit. In addition to administering an antidysrhythmia medication, the healthcare provider should anticipate which of these orders?

Initiate a heparin infusion

Give atropine IV push

Prepare for immediate cardioversion

Prepare the patient for AV node ablation - ✔✔Heparin

Because blood tends to pool and clot in the fibrillating atria, patients with atrial fibrillation are at high risk for embolic stroke, so heparin will be given.

The healthcare provider is examining the electrocardiogram (EKG) of a patient and notes the PR interval is 6 small boxes in length. What is the significance of this finding?

Stress is causing increased sympathetic stimulation.

This should be documented as an expected finding.

There may be some scar tissue in one of the ventricles.

There may be a delay in the conduction through the AV node. - ✔✔there may be a delay

When caring for a patient with a cardiac dysrhythmia, which laboratory value is a priority for the healthcare provider to monitor?

BUN and creatinine

Sodium, potassium, and calcium

Hemoglobin and hematocrit

PT and INR - ✔✔Sodium, potassium, and chloride

A patient who has a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation as a heart rate of 152 beats per minute. The healthcare provider should assess for which of these problems related to the dysrhythmia?

Chest pain

Hypotension

Headache

Pulse deficit

Dizziness - ✔✔chest pain, hypotension, pulse deficit, dizziness

Atrial kick is lost and cardiac output is diminished. The result is less blood supplying the brain (dizziness), hypotension, less blood perfusing the coronary arteries, and a pulse deficit because the stroke volume is not sufficient to produce a palpable peripheral pulse.

The client has a diagnosis of junctional rhythm. The nurse would expect to find which of the following during the assessment of vital signs?

Heart rate <30

Heart rate 40-60

Heart rate 60-100

Heart rate 100-120 - ✔✔HR 40-60