Deck 23: Caring Forclients With Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders of the Heart and Blood Vessels

Question 1

A student nurse is caring for a client with Infective Endocarditis. When the nursing instructor asks the student the etiology and pathophysiology of Infective Endocarditis, what would be an appropriate response by the student?

A) Streptococcus viridians
B) Group A beta-hemolytic strep
C) Epstein-Barr virus
D) Coxsackie virus A

Answer 1

Streptococcus viridians

Question 2

The nursing instructor is discussing thrombophlebitis and venous stasis. What would the instructor tell the students is the best nursing intervention to help prevent venous stasis and thrombophlebitis for at-risk clients?

A) Apply knee- or thigh-high elastic stockings.
B) Use a pneumatic venous compression device.
C) Promote ankle-pumping exercises.
D) Promote activity and exercise.

Answer 2

Promote activity and exercise.

Question 3

A student nurse is caring for a client with thromboangiitis obliterans. What self-care techniques should the student teach this client?

A) Wear loose-fitting shoes and stockings.
B) Avoid movement and exercise.
C) Keep the legs elevated.
D) Avoid prolonged exposure to cold.

Answer 3

Avoid prolonged exposure to cold.

Question 4

A young mother brings her 4-year-old in to the pediatric clinic with a mild fever and a red, spotty rash that is beginning to fade. The child's heart rate is rapid and the rhythm is abnormal. The mother states the child has been healthy until about 3 weeks ago when the child had a sore throat. You suspect Rheumatic Carditis. What organism causes Rheumatic Carditis?

A) Group A beta-hemolytic strep
B) Staphylococcus aureus
C) Streptococcus viridians
D) Epstein-Barr virus

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a client with Infective Endocarditis. The nurse teaches the client that they will have to take antibiotics periodically for the rest of the client's life. The client wants to know why. What would be the nurse's best answer to the client?

A) "Just to be on the safe side."
B) "You will be vulnerable to Infective Endocarditis for the rest of your life."
C) "Your heart has been weakened and it will need extra help so you can live a long life."
D) "You will be susceptible to infections from all kinds of germs now."

Question 6

A client with thrombophlebitis is admitted to your unit. What would be important to assess this client for?

A) Chvostek's sign
B) Trousseau's sign
C) Homans' signs
D) Virchow's triad

Question 7

You are admitting a client to the Emergency Department (ED), brought in by the paramedics, who has a presumptive diagnosis of emboli to the brain. What is the result of emboli to the brain?

A) Flank pain
B) Renal failure
C) Cerebrovascular accidents
D) Sudden chest pain and dyspnea

Question 8

You are doing client teaching with a client diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. What advice is incorrect to provide a client with cardiomyopathy?

A) Avoid intake of beverages containing caffeine.
B) Perform daily exercise for 2 to 3 hours.
C) Restrict sodium intake.
D) Reduce using tobacco products.

Question 9

You are caring for a client with pericarditis. What instructions should you provide a client with pericarditis who is suffering from decreased cardiac output?

A) Restrict to mild exercises.
B) Lay on the right side.
C) Restrict caffeine and sodium.
D) Administer anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics as prescribed.

Question 10

A client with Infective Endocarditis is admitted to your unit. The client asks you how long they will be on IV medication. What should you respond?

A) 2 to 3 days
B) 7 to 10 days
C) 10 to 14 days
D) 2 to 6 weeks

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a client with cardiomyopathy. What drugs should the nurse expect to be ordered to promote effective heart contractions and adequate cardiac output?

A) Cardiac glycosides
B) Sodium tablets
C) Beta blockers
D) Antibiotics

Question 12

In the clinic, you are caring for a client with Buerger's disease. What is a common symptom of Buerger's disease?

A) Cyanosis and redness of the feet
B) Black gangrenous areas
C) One or both feet are always cold
D) Intermittent claudication

Question 13

The nurse is performing client teaching with a client who has just been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. What instructions should the nurse provide a client with cardiomyopathy to avoid pulmonary complications that may compromise cardiopulmonary function?

A) Stay within the level of exercise tolerance.
B) Receive the pneumonia vaccine and yearly influenza vaccinations.
C) Eat a diet high in sodium.
D) Keep appointments for medical follow-up.

Question 14

The nurse is precepting a new graduate nurse. Together they are caring for a client with infective endocarditis. What is a sign of infective endocarditis?

A) Homan's sign
B) Splinter hemorrhage
C) Precordial pain
D) Heart murmur

Question 15

You are caring for a client with thrombophlebitis. When assessing this client, what would be most important to assess for?

A) Chest pain and dyspnea
B) Leg pain and swollen calf
C) Mottled coloring of leg and foot
D) Capillary refill of extremity

Question 16

The instructor is talking with a nursing student who is caring for a client with pericarditis. The instructor asks the student to name the main characteristic of pericarditis. What should be the student's answer?

A) Precordial pain
B) Dyspnea
C) Fever
D) Respiratory symptoms

Question 17

An 85-year-old woman is brought to the Emergency Department (ED) by her son. The son tells the nurse that his mother is short or breath, even when she is lying down. She complains of constant fatigue and her legs swell. What type of cardiomyopathy would the nurse suspect the client has?

A) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
B) Restrictive cardiomyopathy
C) Dilated cardiomyopathy
D) Peripartum cardiomyopathy

Question 18

Which type of cardiomyopathy is associated with syncope?

A) Restrictive
B) Dilated
C) Arrhythmic
D) Hypertrophic

Question 19

The nurse is writing a plan of care for a client diagnosed with thrombophlebitis. The client has impaired tissue perfusion. What nursing interventions should the nurse perform on a client with thrombophlebitis having impaired tissue perfusion?

A) Bend the client's knees.
B) Elevate the affected extremity in a straight plane on pillows.
C) Apply cold compresses to the area of discomfort.
D) Instruct the client to sit and cross the legs at the knee.

Question 20

You are caring for a client with myocarditis. The physician has ordered the client to be placed on bed rest. The client asks you why they have to be on bed rest. What is your best answer?

A) "You are sick and sick people need to stay in bed."
B) "It is the physician's decision, I can't tell you why he ordered bed rest."
C) "When you are on bed rest the workload of your heart is reduced and you will heal faster."
D) "The physician feels that you do not rest enough, so we are going to keep you in bed for a few days."

Question 21

You are caring for a client with Buerger's disease. You know that most of the care for this disease is carried out at home. What would be important to teach a client with Buerger's disease?

A) The correct diet
B) The importance of joining a support group
C) The need to cooperate with the home health nurse
D) The importance of smoking cessation

Question 22

You have a client on bed rest. What would you do to help prevent formation of a DVT?

A) Encourage the client to increase fluid intake.
B) Encourage the client to keep bed gatched at the knees.
C) Assist the client to change positions frequently.
D) Assist the client to order high fiber meals.

Question 23

You are caring for a client who is scheduled for a sympathectomy. In what disease process would a sympathectomy be performed to relieve vasospasm?

A) Thromboangiitis obliterans
B) Restrictive cardiomyopathy
C) Rheumatic carditis
D) Thrombophlebitis

Question 24

The nursing instructor is teaching a class on thrombophlebitis. What should the nurse tell the students about the inflammatory response in thrombophlebitis?

A) The inflammatory response is caused by the irritation of the clot.
B) The inflammatory response is caused by accumulated waste products in the blocked vessel.
C) The inflammatory response is caused by an excess for fibrin in the blocked vessel.
D) The inflammatory response is caused by the irritation of blood trying to flow through the vessel.

Question 25

A 22-year-old male comes to the clinic complaining of exertional dyspnea and a 10 pound weight gain. On assessment, it is noted that the client has heptomegaly, ascites, and edema in his legs. The client states that he was very healthy until he returned from India a month ago. What type of cardiomegaly would you suspect?

A) Hypertrophic
B) Arrythmic
C) Dilated
D) Restrictive