Your 35-year-old female patient complains of feeling palpitations ...

[Pineapplelove6]

Your 35-year-old female patient complains of feeling palpitations on occasion. The clinician should recognize that palpitations are often a sign of:
 
  A. Anemia
  B. Anxiety
  C. Hyperthyroidism
  D. All of the above

Question 2

When palpating the chest, you find the point of maximal impulse (PMI) in the left mid-axillary region. This can be indicative of:
 
  A. Normal PMI
  B. Congenital heart disease
  C. Ventricular hypertrophy
  D. Hypertension

[ong527]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Palpitations sensed by the patient are commonly indicative of atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, or premature ventricular contractions. Anemia, anxiety, and hyperthyroidism are all possible etiologies of these cardiac rhythm disturbances.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The examiner should palpate the point of maximal impulse (PMI) and the precordium for heaves or lifts, seen in ventricular hypertrophy. The apical impulse is easily observed in the pediatric client but not always visible in the adult. An accentuated or displaced apical impulse may indicate ventricular hypertrophy.

[Pineapplelove6]

Thank you

[ong527]

No problemo