Author Question: The nurse is explaining the normal conduction pattern of the heart to an adolescent with a newly ... (Read 71 times)

mckennatimberlake · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is explaining the normal conduction pattern of the heart to an adolescent with a newly diagnosed congenital heart anomaly. The nurse tells the patient that what serves as the pacemaker for the heart?

A) The atrioventricular (AV) node
B) The bundle of His
C) The Purkinje fibers
D) The sinuatrial (SA) node

Question 2

A 68-year-old patient who must take antihistamines for severe allergies is planning a vacation to Mexico. The nurse will encourage the patient to do what?

A) Avoid sightseeing during the hottest part of the day.
B) Discontinue the antihistamines if he becomes extremely restless.
C) Decrease the dosage of the drugs if he experiences excessive thirst.
D) Continue taking the antihistamines even if he begins to hallucinate.

aburgess · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
Feedback:
The SA node, which is located near the top of the right atrium, acts as the pacemaker of the heart. The SA node sends the signal to the AV node, and then to the bundle of His, and into the Purkinje fibers, but it is the SA node that sets the rate.

Answer to Question 2

A
Feedback:
Antihistamines can cause anticholinergic effects, which would result in decreased sweating and place the patient at high risk for heat stroke. Avoiding the hottest part of the day will help prevent dehydration and heat prostration. Extreme restlessness could indicate Parkinson-like syndrome not usually associated with antihistamines. Excessive thirst is characteristic of hyperglycemia. Hallucinations are associated with drugs that affect neurologic functioning. Further, nurses should never tell patients to decrease or discontinue a drug unless the prescriber has instructed them to do so.