A nurse is administering IV furosemide to a patient admitted with congestive heart failure. After the
infusion, which of the following symptoms is NOT expected?
A. Increased urinary output.
B. Decreased edema.
C. Decreased pain.
D. Decreased blood pressure. C
Furosemide, a loop diuretic, does not alter pain. Furosemide acts on the kidneys to increase urinary
output. Fluid may move from the periphery, decreasing edema. Fluid load is reduced, lowering blood
pressure.
There are a number of risk factors associated with coronary artery disease. Which of the following is
a modifiable risk factor?
A. Obesity.
B. Heredity.
C. Gender.
D. Age. A
Obesity is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease that can be modified by improved diet
and weight loss. Family history of coronary artery disease, male gender, and advancing age increase
risk but cannot be modified.
Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is considered for treatment of a patient who arrives in the
emergency department following onset of symptoms of myocardial infarction. Which of the following
is a contraindication for treatment with t-PA?
A. Worsening chest pain that began earlier in the evening.
B. History of cerebral hemorrhage.
C. History of prior myocardial infarction.
D. Hypertension. B
, A history of cerebral hemorrhage is a contraindication to tPA because it may increase the risk of
bleeding. TPA acts by dissolving the clot blocking the coronary artery and works best when
administered within 6 hours of onset of symptoms. Prior MI is not a contraindication to tPA. Patients
receiving tPA should be observed for changes in blood pressure, as tPA may cause hypotension.
Following myocardial infarction, a hospitalized patient is encouraged to practice frequent leg
exercises and ambulate in the hallway as directed by his physician. Which of the following choices
reflects the purpose of exercise for this patient?
A. Increases fitness and prevents future heart attacks.
B. Prevents bedsores.
C. Prevents DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
D. Prevent constipations. C
Exercise is important for all hospitalized patients to prevent deep vein thrombosis. Muscular
contraction promotes venous return and prevents hemostasis in the lower extremities. This exercise
is not sufficiently vigorous to increase physical fitness, nor is it intended to prevent bedsores or
constipation.
A patient arrives in the emergency department with symptoms of myocardial infarction, progressing
to cardiogenic shock. Which of the following symptoms should the nurse expect the patient to
exhibit with cardiogenic shock?
A. Hypertension.
B. Bradycardia.
C. Bounding pulse.
D. Confusion. D
Cardiogenic shock severely impairs the pumping function of the heart muscle, causing diminished
blood flow to the organs of the body. This results in diminished brain function and confusion, as well
as hypotension, tachycardia, and weak pulse. Cardiogenic shock is a serious complication of
myocardial infarction with a high mortality rate.
A patient with a history of congestive heart failure arrives at the clinic complaining of dyspnea.
Which of the following actions is the first the nurse should perform?