AACN CSC (CSC) Practice Test Questions & Answers. Graded A+

AACN CSC (CSC) Practice Test Questions & Answers. Graded A+ You are caring for a patient with an intra-aortic balloon pump and note blood in the tubing. Your initial action should be: A. Stop the balloon pump and notify the physician. B. Administer 100% oxygen to help displace the helium and notify the physician C. Leave the IABP running and notify the physician. D. Purge the IABP manually to clear the blood from the tubing. A. Blood in the IABP tubing indicates a balloon rupture which can cause gas embolus. However, helium is thought to be easily absorbed in the presence of balloon rupture and oxygen is not generally indicated. The appropriate action is to disconnect the balloon from the console or turn it on standby so the movement of helium is stopped and notify the physician. The nurse will need to prepare for IABP removal and replacement if needed. When caring for a patient immediately post CABG the nurse recognizes that the most likely cause of hypotension in the immediate post-operative period is A. Decreased circulating volume requiring no intervention unless persistent > 12 hours. B. LV failure requiring an inotrope as first line treatment for any hypotension. C. Decreased circulating volume representing the need for increased fluid administration. D. LV failure requiring an assist device. C. Hypotension in the immediate postoperative period is usually caused by low circulating volume and responds to treatment with fluids. Volume is the first line treatment for hypotension. If there is no immediate response to volume administration, 500 mg of IV calcium chloride is often given. Existing vasopressors, such as norepinephrine, can also be adjusted. It is important for hypotension to be promptly treated. Persistent hypotension can result in hypoperfusion and end organ damage. LV failure is not the most common cause of hypotension in the immediate post-operative period and therefore inotropic agents are not first line agents used in the treatment of hypotension. Hypotension that does not respond to fluid administration may require an inotrope.