ATI RN Targeted Medical Surgical Cardiovascular Practice Questions and Answers + Rationale

ATI RN Targeted Medical Surgical Cardiovascular Practice Questions and Answers + Rationale A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is experiencing atrial fibrillation. Which of the following findings should the nurse plan to monitor for and report to the provider immediately? [Answer:- Slurred speech --------------------------- RATIONALE: • The greatest risk to this client is injury from an embolus caused by the pooling of blood that can occur with atrial fibrillation. • Slurred speech can indicate inadequate circulation to the brain because of an embolus. Therefore, the nurse should report this finding to the provider immediately. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for an ACE inhibitor to treat hypertension. The nurse should instruct the client to notify their provider if they experience which of the following adverse effects on this medication? [Answer:- persistent cough --------------------------- RATIONALE: • A persistent cough is an adverse effect of ACE inhibitors. The client should report this finding to the provider and discontinue the medication A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted for treatment of left-sided heart failure and is receiving intravenous loop diuretics and digitalis therapy. The client is experiencing weakness and an irregular heart rate. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? [Answer:- Review serum electrolyte values --------------------------- RATIONALE: • Weakness and irregular heart rate indicate that the client is at the greatest risk for electrolyte imbalance, an adverse effect of loop diuretics. • The first action the nurse should take is to review the client's electrolyte values, particularly the potassium level, because the client is at risk for dysrhythmias from hypokalemia. A nurse is preparing a client for coronary angiography. The nurse should report which of the following findings to the provider prior to the procedure? [Answer:- Previous allergic reaction to shellfish --------------------------- RATIONALE: • The contrast medium used for coronary angiography is iodine-based. • Clients who have a history of allergic reaction to shellfish often react to iodine and might need a steroid or antihistamine prior to the procedure.