Nursing Elites

1. The client is receiving digoxin and has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• A. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider.
• B. Increase the dose of digoxin.
• C. Continue the current dose of digoxin.
• D. Administer potassium supplements.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider. A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Holding the medication and informing the healthcare provider is crucial to prevent adverse effects. Choice B is incorrect because increasing the dose of digoxin would further raise the risk of toxicity. Choice C is incorrect as continuing the current dose could exacerbate the toxicity risk. Choice D is incorrect because administering potassium supplements alone is not sufficient to address the potential digoxin toxicity; the first step should be to hold the digoxin and seek further guidance.

2. The nurse is caring for a client on amiodarone. What adverse effect is the nurse most concerned about?

• A. Pulmonary toxicity
• B. Liver toxicity
• C. Thyroid dysfunction
• D. Renal dysfunction

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Pulmonary toxicity. Amiodarone is known to cause pulmonary toxicity, which can be serious and even fatal in some cases. This adverse effect includes interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Monitoring for symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, and fever is crucial. Choices B, Liver toxicity, C, Thyroid dysfunction, and D, Renal dysfunction, are incorrect because while amiodarone can also affect the liver, thyroid, and kidneys, the most concerning adverse effect that requires immediate attention and monitoring is pulmonary toxicity.

3. What is a condition where the heart beats too slowly, reducing the amount of blood pumped to the body?

• A. Bradycardia
• B. Tachycardia
• C. Atrial fibrillation
• D. Ventricular fibrillation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Bradycardia is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by a slow heart rate, which reduces the amount of blood pumped to the body. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue and dizziness. Choice B, Tachycardia, is the opposite condition where the heart beats too fast. Choices C and D, Atrial fibrillation and Ventricular fibrillation, refer to irregular and potentially life-threatening rapid heart rhythms involving the atria and ventricles respectively, not a slow heart rate.

4. What is a condition where the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients?

• A. Stroke
• B. Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• C. Myocardial infarction
• D. Angina

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A stroke is the correct answer. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients to the brain tissue, causing brain damage. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain with no lasting damage, myocardial infarction is a heart attack due to blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle, and angina is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.

5. What is a surgical procedure to redirect blood flow around a blocked or narrowed artery, often involving the use of a graft from another part of the body?

• A. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
• B. Valve replacement
• C. Aneurysm repair
• D. Atherectomy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). This surgical procedure is used to redirect blood flow around a blocked or narrowed artery by using a graft from another part of the body. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because valve replacement involves replacing heart valves, aneurysm repair addresses the treatment of aneurysms, and atherectomy is a procedure to remove plaque from blood vessels, none of which match the description provided in the question.

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