A patient is diagnosed with heart failure. She asks the nurse for ...

[kamilo84]

A patient is diagnosed with heart failure. She asks the nurse for further details about heart failure. Which of the following statements is most accurate?
 
  A) Heart failure can be caused by atherosclerotic plaque due to high-fat diets.
  B) Hypothyroidism will result in decreased heart rate and development of heart failure.
  C) The administration of diuretics increases blood volume, causing symptoms to abate.
  D) The use of digoxin will slow heart rate to make your heart more efficient.

Question 2

A patient who has been taking oral prednisone for several months abruptly ceased treatment several days ago on the advice of a family member.
 
  The patient has now been admitted to the emergency department with signs and symptoms that are characteristic of addisonian crisis. When assessing this patient, the nurse should prioritize what assessment? A) Assessment of urine for ketones
  B) Assessment of serum potassium levels
  C) Assessment for adventitious lung sounds
  D) Assessment for venous thromboembolism

[Zack0mack0101@yahoo.com]

Answer to Question 1

D
Feedback:
Endothelial dysfunction allows processes that narrow the blood vessel lumen and lead to blood clot formation and vasoconstriction that further narrow the blood vessel lumen. These are major factors in coronary artery disease and hypertension, the most common conditions leading to heart failure. Hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism, is a cause of heart failure. The administration of diuretics decreases fluid volume, which prevents the symptoms of heart failure. The use of digoxin increases the force of myocardial contraction and prevents the development of congestive heart failure in patients whose heart cannot pump blood to meet tissue needs. A high-fat diet does not directly cause heart failure.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback:
In addisonian crisis, the loss of sodium leads to retention of potassium, resulting in symptoms of hyperkalemia. As a result, vigilant monitoring of serum potassium levels is more important than respiratory effects, urinalysis, or hypercoagulation.

[kamilo84]

Excellent

[nyrave]

Gracias!