Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a client on digoxin. What is the most important assessment before administering this medication?

• A. Check the client’s heart rate.
• B. Check the client’s blood pressure.
• C. Check the client’s respiratory rate.
• D. Check the client’s oxygen saturation.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to check the client’s heart rate before administering digoxin because one of the side effects of digoxin is bradycardia. Monitoring the heart rate is crucial to assess whether the client's heart rate is within the acceptable range before giving the medication. Checking the blood pressure (Choice B), respiratory rate (Choice C), or oxygen saturation (Choice D) are important assessments in general patient care, but they are not specifically related to the administration of digoxin.

2. Which term describes an abnormal heartbeat that can be either too fast or too slow?

• A. Arrhythmia
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Tachycardia
• D. Conductivity

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Arrhythmia. Arrhythmia is a broad term that refers to any irregularity in the heart's rhythm, which can manifest as a heartbeat that is too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregular. Choice B, Bradycardia, specifically denotes a slow heart rate, while choice C, Tachycardia, refers to a fast heart rate. Choice D, Conductivity, is not the correct term to describe an abnormal heartbeat characterized by speed irregularities.

3. The client is on digoxin and has severe digoxin toxicity. What is the nursing priority action?

• A. Check the potassium level.
• B. Give Digibind as an antidote.
• C. Change the dosing of digoxin to every other day.
• D. Administer a potassium supplement to decrease digoxin toxicity.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to give Digibind as an antidote in cases of severe digoxin toxicity. Digibind works by binding to digoxin and preventing it from causing further harm. Checking the potassium level (choice A) is important but not the priority when the client has severe toxicity. Changing the dosing to every other day (choice C) is not appropriate in the setting of severe toxicity where immediate action is required. Giving a potassium supplement (choice D) may be needed eventually, but the priority is to administer Digibind to counteract the toxic effects of digoxin.

4. What is the procedure where a catheter is used to open a blocked or narrowed coronary artery, often involving the placement of a stent?

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

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Angioplasty. Angioplasty is a procedure where a catheter is used to open a blocked or narrowed coronary artery, often involving the placement of a stent to keep the artery open and improve blood flow to the heart. Choice B, Valve replacement, is incorrect as it involves replacing a heart valve, not opening a blocked artery. Choice C, Stent placement, is similar to angioplasty but not as specific, as it does not involve the catheter-based procedure. Choice D, Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), is a different procedure where blocked arteries are bypassed using a blood vessel from another part of the body.

5. The client on amiodarone develops pulmonary fibrosis. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
• B. Continue the medication and monitor lung function.
• C. Discontinue the medication and start oxygen therapy.
• D. Reduce the dose and monitor respiratory status.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a client on amiodarone develops pulmonary fibrosis, a serious side effect, the immediate action the nurse should take is to notify the healthcare provider. This is crucial because pulmonary fibrosis can lead to severe respiratory compromise and requires prompt evaluation and management by the healthcare provider. Continuing the medication (choice B) can worsen the condition, and delaying action by reducing the dose and monitoring respiratory status (choice D) may not be appropriate given the seriousness of pulmonary fibrosis. Discontinuing the medication and starting oxygen therapy (choice C) may be necessary, but the priority is to notify the healthcare provider first for further assessment and guidance.

Similar Questions