Dysrhythmias Misc nclex

Dysrhythmias Misc nclex ScienceMedicineCardiology anthony_t_caraballo Save NCLEX - Patients with Dysrhythmias...41 terms chris_foulkePreview Dysrhythmias Practice Questions 50 terms LeMoyneFreeman Preview Dysrhythmias NCLEX questions MIN...30 terms njack39Preview Arrhyth 26 terms Alix The nurse administers amiodarone (Cordarone) to a client with ventricular tachycardia. Which monitoring by the nurse is necessary with this drug? Select all that apply.

• Respiratory rate
• QT interval
• Heart rate and rhythm
• Magnesium level
• Urine output

Answer: QT interval; Heart rate and rhythm; Magnesium level

Rationale: Amiodarone causes prolongation of the QT interval, which can precipitate dysrhythmia. Antidysrhythmic medications cause changes in cardiac rhythm and rate; therefore monitoring of heart rate and rhythm is needed.Electrolyte depletion, specifically potassium and magnesium, may predispose to further dysrhythmia. Although it is always important to monitor vital signs and urine output, these assessments are not specific to amiodarone.The nurse is caring for a client with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and atrial fibrillation who has a new prescription for metoprolol (Lopressor).Which monitoring is essential when administering the medication?

• ST segment
• Heart rate
• Troponin
• Myoglobin

Answer: Heart rate

Rationale: The effects of metoprolol are to decrease heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand. ST segment elevation is consistent with MI; it does not address monitoring of metoprolol. Elevation in troponin is consistent with a diagnosis of MI but does not address needed monitoring for metoprolol. Elevation in myoglobin is consistent with myocardial injury in ACS but does not address needed monitoring related to metoprolol.

The nurse is caring for a client with atrial fibrillation. In addition to an antidysrhythmic, what medication does the nurse plan to administer?

• Heparin
• Atropine
• Dobutamine
• Magnesium sulfate

Answer: Heparin

Rationale: Clients with atrial fibrillation are prone to blood pooling in the atrium, clotting, then embolizing. Heparin is used to prevent thrombus development in the atrium and the consequence of embolization (i.e., stroke).The nurse is caring for a client on a telemetry unit with a regular heart rhythm and rate of 60; a P wave precedes each QRS complex, and the PR interval is 0.24 second. Additional vital signs are as follows: blood pressure 118/68, respiratory rate 16, and temperature 98.8° F. The following medications are available on the medication record. What action should the nurse take?

• Administer atropine.
• Administer digoxin.
• Administer clonidine.
• Continue to monitor.

Answer: Continue to monitor.

Rationale: The client is displaying sinus rhythm with first-degree atrioventicular heart block; this is usually asymptomatic and does not require treatment. Atropine is used in emergency treatment of symptomatic bradycardia. This client has normal vital signs. Digoxin is used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, which is, by definition, an irregular rhythm. Clonidine is used in the treatment of hypertension; a side effect is bradycardia.You are the charge nurse on the telemetry unit and are responsible for making client assignments. Which client would be appropriate to assign to the float RN from the medical-surgical unit?

• The 64-year-old admitted for weakness who has a first-degree heart block with a heart rate of 58 beats/min
• The 71-year-old admitted for heart failure who is short of breath and has a heart rate of 120 to 130 beats/min
• The 88-year-old admitted with an elevated troponin level who is hypotensive with a heart rate of 96 beats/min
• The 92-year-old admitted with chest pain who has premature ventricular complexes and a heart rate of 102 beats/min

Answer: The 64-year-old admitted for weakness who has a first-degree heart block with a heart rate of 58 beats/min Rationale: This client has a stable, asymptomatic dysrhythmia, which usually requires no treatment; this client can be managed by a nurse with less cardiac dysrhythmia training.A client with atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response has received medication to slow the ventricular rate. The pulse is now 88. For which additional therapy does the nurse plan?

• Synchronized cardioversion
• Electrophysiology studies (EPS)
• Anticoagulation
• Radiofrequency ablation therapy

Answer: Anticoagulation

Rationale: Because of the risk for thromboembolism, anticoagulation is necessary.

The nurse is caring for a client with unstable angina whose cardiac monitor shows ventricular tachycardia. Which action is appropriate to implement first?

• Defibrillate the client at 200 J.
• Check the client for a pulse.
• Cardiovert the client at 50 J.
• Give the client IV lidocaine.

Answer: Check the client for a pulse.

Rationale: The nurse needs to assess the client to determine stability before proceeding with further interventions. If the client has a pulse and is relatively stable, elective cardioversion or antidysrhythmic medications may be prescribed.A client admitted after using crack cocaine develops ventricular fibrillation. After determining unresponsiveness, which action should the nurse take next?

• Defibrillate at 200 J.
• Establish IV access.
• Place an oral airway and ventilate.
• Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Answer: Defibrillate at 200 J.

Rationale: Defibrillating is of priority before any other resuscitative measures according to Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocols.Which information would cause the nurse to withhold digoxin in the client with atrial fibrillation and heart failure?

• The client has sinus tachycardia with a rate of 102.
• The cardiac monitor shows atrial fibrillation with a heart rate of 98.
• The client has a creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL.
• The digoxin level is 2.8 mg/dL.

Answer: The digoxin level is 2.8 mg/dL.

Rationale: The therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.8 to 2.0 ng/mL; hold the medication because this client has digoxin toxicity.In teaching clients at risk for bradydysrhythmias, what information does the nurse include?

• "Avoid potassium-containing foods."
• "Stop smoking and avoid caffeine."
• "Take nitroglycerin for a slow heartbeat."
• "Use a stool softener."

Answer: "Use a stool softener."

Rationale: Clients at risk for bradydysrhythmias should avoid bearing down or straining during a bowel movement; the Valsalva maneuver can cause bradycardia. Taking a stool softener helps to prevent this.

The nurse is determining whether the client's rhythm strip demonstrates proper firing of the sinoatrial (SA) node. Which waveform indicates proper function of the SA node?

• The QRS complex is present.
• The PR interval is 0.24 second.
• A P wave precedes every QRS complex.
• The ST segment is elevated.

Answer: A P wave precedes every QRS complex.

Rationale: A P wave is generated by the SA node and represents atrial depolarization.The professional nurse is supervising a nursing student performing a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Under which circumstance does the nurse correct the student?

• The client is semirecumbent in bed.
• Chest leads are placed as for the previous ECG.
• The client is instructed to breathe deeply through the mouth.
• The client is instructed to lie still.

Answer: The client is instructed to breathe deeply through the mouth.

Rationale: Normal breathing is required or artifact will be observed, perhaps leading to inaccurate interpretation of the ECG.The nurse is caring for a client with heart rate of 143. For which manifestations should the nurse observe? Select all that apply.

• Palpitations
• Increased energy
• Chest discomfort
• Flushing of the skin
• Hypotension

Answer: Palpitations; Chest discomfort; Hypotension

Rationale: Tachycardia, heart rate greater than100 beats/min, produces palpitations, that is, the ability to feel the heart beating in the chest. Chest discomfort may occur because decreased time for diastole results in lower perfusion through the coronary arteries to the myocardium.Hypotension results from decreased time for ventricular filling, secondary to shortened diastole and therefore reduced cardiac output and blood pressure.The nurse is caring for a client who has developed a bradycardia. Which possible causes should the nurse investigate? Select all that apply

• Bearing down for a bowel movement
• Possible inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI)
• Client stating that he just had a cup of coffee
• Client becoming emotional when visitors arrived
• Diltiazem (Cardizem) administered an hour ago

Answer: Bearing down for a bowel movement; Possible inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI); Diltiazem (Cardizem) administered an hour ago Rationale: The Valsalva maneuver stimulates the vagus nerve, causing bradycardia. Inferior wall MI is a cause of bradycardia and heart blocks.Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem may cause bradycardia.