the nurse is administering a beta blocker to a client with a heart rate of 50 bpm what is the priority action
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

Physical Exam Cardiovascular System

1. The nurse is administering a beta blocker to a client with a heart rate of 50 bpm. What is the priority action?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action is to hold the beta blocker and notify the healthcare provider. A heart rate of 50 bpm is already low, and beta blockers can further decrease the heart rate, potentially causing adverse effects like bradycardia or heart block. Administering the beta blocker as ordered (Choice B) can exacerbate the low heart rate. Decreasing the dose of the beta blocker (Choice C) may not be sufficient to address the potential harm. Monitoring the client’s heart rate and reassessing in 30 minutes (Choice D) may delay necessary interventions if the heart rate drops further. Therefore, the priority is to hold the medication and seek guidance from the healthcare provider.

2. The client is on nitroglycerin and reports chest pain. What is the nurse’s priority action?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Notify the healthcare provider immediately. If a client on nitroglycerin reports chest pain, the priority action is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is crucial to ensure prompt reassessment of the client's condition and treatment plan. Administering nitroglycerin, morphine, or aspirin without consulting the healthcare provider first can be risky as the chest pain may indicate a need for a change in treatment or further evaluation. Administering medications without proper assessment and guidance can lead to complications and is not recommended in this scenario.

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

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. Which heart chamber ejects blood into the systemic arterial circulation via the aorta?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation via the aorta. This chamber receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and contracts forcefully to propel blood into the aorta, distributing it to the body. The other options, right atrium, left atrium, and right ventricle, do not directly eject blood into the systemic arterial circulation via the aorta. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body, the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs, and the right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs for oxygenation.

5. What is a condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow, making breathing difficult?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Asthma is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by inflammation, narrowing, and swelling of the airways, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes; Pleurisy is inflammation of the tissues that line the lungs and chest cavity; Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs.

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