Nursing Elites

1. The client on digoxin has a potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• A. Administer a potassium supplement
• B. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
• C. Continue the current digoxin dose
• D. Administer Digibind

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider. A potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin and low potassium levels can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias. Administering a potassium supplement (choice A) without healthcare provider guidance can worsen the situation. Continuing the current digoxin dose (choice C) can further increase the risk of toxicity. Administering Digibind (choice D) is used in severe cases of digoxin toxicity, not for addressing low potassium levels.

2. What test uses sound waves to create images of the heart and assess its structure and function?

• A. Echocardiogram
• B. MRI
• C. CT scan
• D. X-ray

Correct answer: A

Rationale: An echocardiogram is the correct answer because it is a test specifically designed to use sound waves to create images of the heart, allowing healthcare providers to assess both its structure and function, as well as to detect any abnormalities. MRI (Choice B), CT scan (Choice C), and X-ray (Choice D) do not primarily use sound waves for imaging the heart; therefore, they are not the most appropriate choices for this scenario.

3. What is the condition where the lungs become filled with fluid, often due to heart failure, making it difficult to breathe?

• A. Pulmonary edema
• B. Pleural effusion
• C. Pulmonary hypertension
• D. Pneumothorax

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Pulmonary edema is the correct answer. It occurs when fluid fills the lungs, usually due to heart failure, leading to breathing difficulties. Pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid around the lungs, not inside. Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, and pneumothorax is the presence of air between the lung and chest wall.

4. Which surgical procedure involves grafting a blood vessel to bypass a blocked artery in the heart?

• A. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
• B. Valve replacement
• C. Stent placement
• D. Angioplasty

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). This surgical procedure involves grafting a blood vessel to bypass a blocked coronary artery, improving blood flow to the heart muscle. Choice B, Valve replacement, is a procedure to replace a damaged heart valve and is not directly related to bypassing blocked arteries. Choice C, Stent placement, involves inserting a mesh tube to keep blocked arteries open and is different from grafting a blood vessel. Choice D, Angioplasty, is a procedure to widen narrowed or blocked arteries, typically using a balloon catheter, and does not involve grafting a blood vessel.

5. What condition involves the heart's electrical system malfunctioning, causing very fast heartbeats originating from the ventricles?

• A. Ventricular tachycardia
• B. Atrial fibrillation
• C. Supraventricular tachycardia
• D. Bradycardia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Ventricular tachycardia is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by the heart's electrical system malfunctioning, leading to very fast heartbeats originating from the ventricles. Ventricular tachycardia can be life-threatening as it may progress to ventricular fibrillation, causing cardiac arrest. Atrial fibrillation (choice B) involves rapid, irregular beating of the atria, not the ventricles. Supraventricular tachycardia (choice C) originates above the ventricles and does not involve ventricular malfunction. Bradycardia (choice D) is the opposite of tachycardia, characterized by an abnormally slow heart rate.

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