Flashcards Cardiology 6-10 and 21-23 focused

A patient with heart failure is being monitored in a clinical setting. The nurse notices a sudden increase in the patient’s daily weight and mild swelling in the ankles. Using strategic reasoning, explain why these findings are significant and what actions should be taken to prevent further complications.

• These findings suggest fluid retention, which may indicate worsening heart failure; the nurse should notify the healthcare provider and adjust the care plan to prevent exacerbation.

• These findings are normal and do not require any intervention.

• The nurse should only monitor the patient’s blood pressure and ignore the weight change.

• The nurse should increase the patient’s fluid intake to compensate for the weight gain.

A patient reports new onset chest pain and dizziness during a routine cardiovascular assessment. Using evidence and reasoning, what should be the nurse’s immediate priority and why?

• Immediately assess vital signs and notify the healthcare provider, as these symptoms may indicate an acute cardiovascular event.

• Advise the patient to rest and reassess in a few hours.

• Ignore the symptoms if the patient’s weight is stable.

• Only monitor oxygen saturation and disregard other symptoms.

You are planning a care strategy for a patient with chronic heart failure. How would you use daily weight monitoring and symptom assessment to prevent severe complications, and what evidence supports this approach?

• By monitoring daily weight and symptoms, early detection of fluid retention and acute symptoms allows for timely intervention, reducing the risk of severe complications.

• By only checking weight once a week, as daily monitoring is unnecessary.

• By focusing solely on blood pressure and ignoring other symptoms.

• By increasing the patient’s salt intake to manage fluid retention.

A patient is prescribed a cardiovascular medication that must be taken at specific times to maximize its effectiveness. As a healthcare provider, how would you develop a plan to ensure the patient receives the medication correctly, and what factors would you consider in your reasoning?

• Create a medication schedule based on the patient's daily routine, educate the patient on the importance of timing, and monitor for missed doses.

• Allow the patient to take the medication whenever they remember, as long as they take the correct dose.

• Only administer the medication when the patient feels symptoms, regardless of the prescribed schedule.

• Focus solely on the medication's side effects and ignore the timing of administration.

You are monitoring a patient on antihypertensive and diuretic therapy. What strategic steps would you take to identify and address potential adverse effects, and what evidence would guide your actions?

• Regularly assess blood pressure, monitor for signs of hypotension and electrolyte imbalances, and document any changes to guide further treatment.

• Only check the patient's blood pressure once a month and ignore other symptoms.

• Advise the patient to self-monitor without providing any guidance on what to look for.

• Focus only on the medication's intended effects and disregard any side effects.

A patient is unsure about the purpose and side effects of their cardiovascular medication and what to do if they miss a dose. How would you strategically educate the patient to improve adherence and safety?

• Provide clear instructions on the medication's purpose, potential side effects, proper administration, and steps to take if a dose is missed.

• Tell the patient to read the medication leaflet and figure it out themselves.

• Only discuss the medication's benefits and avoid mentioning side effects or missed doses.

• Advise the patient to stop the medication if they experience any side effects, without further guidance.

A patient with hypertension and heart failure is struggling to manage their condition. Using strategic reasoning, which combination of lifestyle modifications would you prioritize to address both conditions effectively, and why?

• Emphasize dietary counseling for low sodium and cholesterol, encourage moderate exercise, and provide smoking cessation support.

• Focus only on increasing physical activity and ignore dietary changes.

• Recommend high sodium intake and minimal exercise.

• Advise on weight gain and unrestricted fluid intake.

Given a patient who is overweight and smokes, how would you strategically plan an intervention to reduce their cardiovascular risk factors, and what evidence supports your approach?

• Provide resources for quitting smoking and support for weight management, as both are crucial in managing cardiovascular risk.

• Advise the patient to continue smoking but increase physical activity.

• Suggest no changes, as weight and smoking do not affect cardiovascular risk.

• Recommend only dietary changes without addressing smoking or weight.

A patient asks why they need to control their fluid intake as part of their heart failure management. Using reasoning and evidence, how would you explain the importance of this recommendation?

• Controlled fluid intake helps prevent fluid overload, which can worsen hypertension and heart failure.

• Increased fluid intake is always beneficial for heart failure.

• Fluid intake has no impact on heart failure management.

• Only medication, not fluid control, is important for heart failure.

A patient with chronic heart failure is experiencing anxiety and depression after a recent myocardial infarction. As a healthcare provider, how would you strategically plan psychosocial support to address both their emotional needs and help them manage their condition more effectively?

• Provide emotional and psychological support, and refer the patient to cardiac rehabilitation programs or support groups.

• Only prescribe medication for heart failure and avoid discussing emotional issues.

• Focus solely on physical rehabilitation without addressing psychological concerns.

• Advise the patient to manage on their own without any external support.