BANK #3
Today's prothrombin time for a client receiving warfarin is 20 seconds. The normal
range listed by the lab is 10 to 14 seconds. What is an appropriate nursing action? -
Answer Recognize that this is a therapeutic level.
For the client on warfarin therapy, this prothrombin level is within the therapeutic range.
Therapeutic levels for warfarin are usually one and a half to two times the normal level.
The nurse on a telemetry unit is assessing orthostatic vital signs on a client with
cardiomyopathy. The client's systolic blood pressure decreased from 145 to 110 mmHg
between the supine and upright positions. The client's heart rate increased from 72 to
96 bpm during that time. The client reports feeling lightheaded when standing up. Which
action should the nurse implement? - Answer Increase the client's PO fluid intake for the
next 2 hours.
The client is experiencing postural hypotension. Postural hypotension is a decrease in
systolic blood pressure of at least 15 mmHg, accompanied by an increase in heart rate
of 15 to 20 beats above the baseline with a change of position from supine to upright.
This is often accompanied by lightheadedness. Fluid replacement is appropriate, and
must be instituted very cautiously. The client with cardiomyopathy will also be sensitive
to changes in fluid status and fluid overload may develop rapidly with aggressive
rehydration. After the client increases fluid intake for one to two hours, the client should
be reassessed for resolution of the postural hypotension.
The nurse working in an intensive care unit is caring for a client diagnosed with acute
angina. The client is receiving an intravenous infusion of nitroglycerin. What is the
priority assessment for this client? - Answer Blood pressure
Nitroglycerin (NTG) is a vasodilator used to promote myocardial tissue perfusion and
relieve chest pain associated with coronary artery occlusion. The systemic vasodilation
that occurs as a result of this medication can cause profound hypotension. The client's
blood pressure should be evaluated every 15 minutes until stable, and then every 30
minutes to every hour thereafter. Clients receiving IV nitroglycerin should also be placed
on continuous ECG monitoring. NTG is not known to affect neurologic status, urine
output or heart rate.
The client is scheduled for a coronary artery bypass procedure. When conducting pre-
operative teaching with the client, which action should the nurse perform first? - Answer
Assess the client's learning style.
The first step in the teaching process consist of assessing how the client learns best.
That way, the nurse increases success of the teaching by delivering the education in a
format that the client understands and prefers. Therefore, the nurse should first assess
the client's preferred learning style (e.g., reading a handout or watching a video)