Question 1

A patient is recovering from mechanical valve replacement surgery for valvular disease. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of medication teaching?

Accepted Answer

Patients with mechanical valve replacements require lifelong anticoagulant therapy to prevent thromboembolism. This is because mechanical valves have a higher risk of causing blood clots compared to biological valves.

Question 2

In providing care for a patient with mitral stenosis, the nurse correlates which hemodynamic parameter most directly with this disease of this valve?

Accepted Answer

Mitral stenosis is a condition where the mitral valve in the heart becomes narrowed, impeding the flow of blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle. This leads to increased pressure in the left atrium as it works harder to push blood through the narrowed valve.

Question 3

In a patient with coronary artery disease with elevated liver function test results, it is a priority for the nurse to follow up with the healthcare provider about which prescription?

Accepted Answer

Atorvastatin (Lipitor), a statin used to lower cholesterol, can cause elevated liver enzymes, indicating potential liver damage. It is important to monitor liver function tests in patients taking statins.

Question 4

The nurse monitors for which diagnostic result in the patient with pericarditis?

Accepted Answer

An elevated sedimentation rate (ESR) is a common finding in inflammatory conditions like pericarditis, indicating inflammation in the body.

Question 5

The nurse monitors for which clinical manifestation in the patient diagnosed with valvular disease?

Accepted Answer

Valvular disease often leads to turbulent blood flow across the affected valve, resulting in a heart murmur, which is a common clinical manifestation.

Question 6

The nurse correlates which clinical manifestation to the pathophysiological process of infective endocarditis?

Accepted Answer

Painless spots on the palms and soles, known as Janeway lesions, are a classic sign of infective endocarditis. These lesions result from septic emboli that occur in this condition.

Question 7

A patient is admitted for treatment of pericarditis. For which additional health problem should the nurse expect the patient to be evaluated?

Accepted Answer

Myocardial infarction (MI) can lead to pericarditis as a complication, often referred to as Dressler's syndrome, which is a form of secondary pericarditis occurring weeks to months after the MI.

Question 8

The nurse is evaluating teaching provided to a patient with coronary artery disease. Which patient statement indicates that additional teaching is required?

Accepted Answer

Nitroglycerin is typically used to manage chest pain (angina) in people with coronary artery disease. The standard instruction is to take one dose at the onset of symptoms. If the pain is not relieved in 5 minutes, a second dose can be taken. If pain persists after another 5 minutes, a third dose can be taken. However, if pain is not relieved after three doses taken 5 minutes apart, emergency medical help should be sought, as this could indicate a heart attack. The statement about taking up to three doses 15 minutes apart suggests a misunderstanding, as the doses should be spaced 5 minutes apart, not 15.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient with pericardial effusion. Which action should the nurse use to relieve shortness of breath and pain?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is caring for a patient...

Question 10

In providing care to a patient with valvular disease, the nurse recognizes which valve disorder is most prevalent? The nurse recognizes that which valve is most often affected in valvular disease?

Accepted Answer

Aortic stenosis is the most prevalent valvular disease, often due to age-related calcification or congenital conditions, making it the valve most commonly affected.

Question 11

The nurse is preparing teaching for a patient being treated for coronary artery disease. What dietary information should the nurse emphasize?

Accepted Answer

Reducing saturated fat and sodium intake is crucial for managing coronary artery disease as it helps lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, reducing the risk of further heart complications.

Question 12

In administering oxygen 2 L via nasal cannula to a patient with coronary artery disease, what does the nurse explain as being the primary purpose of the oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen administration in patients with coronary artery disease primarily supports myocardial oxygen demand by ensuring that the heart muscle receives sufficient oxygen to function effectively, especially when the coronary arteries are compromised.

Question 13

The nurse is concerned that a patient is at risk for developing infective endocarditis. What information in the patient's history caused the nurse to have this concern?

Accepted Answer

Age is a risk factor for infective endocarditis, particularly as the incidence increases with age due to factors like the presence of more comorbid conditions and the increased likelihood of having heart valve disease or prosthetic valves.

Question 14

A patient with infective endocarditis is being started on intravenous antibiotics. What should the nurse include when teaching about this medication?

Accepted Answer

Infective endocarditis typically requires a prolonged course of antibiotics, often for 4 to 6 weeks, to ensure complete eradication of the infection. This is because the bacteria in infective endocarditis are located within the heart on the valves, where they form a biofilm that is more difficult for antibiotics to penetrate.

Question 15

In providing care to a patient diagnosed with atherosclerosis, the nurse correlates the initiation of this disease to which process?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis begins with injury to the vessel wall, which leads to an inflammatory response and subsequent processes like oxidation and trapping of LDLs.

Question 16

During an assessment, a patient describes experiencing chest pain with exercise that disappears with rest. The nurse correlates this finding with which health problem?

Accepted Answer

Stable angina is characterized by chest pain or discomfort that typically occurs with activity or stress and goes away with rest or medication. This pattern matches the patient's description.

Question 17

A patient with heart failure is having a B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level drawn. The nurse correlates that the results of this diagnostic provide which data? What is the purpose of this laboratory test?

Accepted Answer

BNP is released by the ventricles of the heart when they are overstretched, which often occurs in heart failure. It does not directly measure ejection fraction, rule out ischemic events, or differentiate between right- and left-sided heart failure.

Question 18

In planning care for a patient with pericarditis, the nurse understands which pathophysiological process contributes to the development of this disease process?

Accepted Answer

Pericarditis is characterized by the inflammation of the pericardium, which is the fibrous sac surrounding the heart. This inflammation can lead to chest pain and other symptoms associated with pericarditis.

Question 19

The nurse monitors for which clinical manifestation in a patient diagnosed with right-sided heart failure (HF)?

Accepted Answer

Right-sided heart failure often leads to fluid accumulation in the body, resulting in edema, particularly in the lower extremities.

Question 20

During a home visit the nurse determines that teaching was effective for the patient recovering from infective endocarditis. Which observation supports this evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Using a soft toothbrush is an indication that teaching was effective because it helps prevent gum bleeding, which is important for a patient recovering from infective endocarditis to reduce the risk of bacteria entering the bloodstream through the gums.

Quiz 30: Coordinating Care for Patients With Cardiac Disorders