An emergency room nurse obtains the health history of a client. ...

[dollx]

An emergency room nurse obtains the health history of a client. Which statement by the client should alert the nurse to the occurrence of heart failure?
 
  a. I get short of breath when I climb stairs.
  b. I see halos floating around my head.
  c. I have trouble remembering things.
  d. I have lost weight over the past month.

Question 2

A nurse assesses an older adult client who has multiple chronic diseases. The client's heart rate is 48 beats/min. Which action should the nurse take first?
 
  a. Document the finding in the chart.
  b. Initiate external pacing.
  c. Assess the client's medications.
  d. Administer 1 mg of atropine.

[dawsa925]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Dyspnea on exertion is an early manifestation of heart failure and is associated with an activity such as stair climbing. The other findings are not specific to early occurrence of heart failure.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Pacemaker cells in the conduction system decrease in number as a person ages, resulting in bradycardia. The nurse should check the medication reconciliation for medications that might cause such a drop in heart rate, then should inform the health care provider. Documentation is important, but it is not the priority action. The heart rate is not low enough for atropine or an external pacemaker to be needed.

[dollx]

Thank you

[dawsa925]

No problemo