Flashcards Cardiology 6-10 and 11-15 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, what should the nurse consider as the most likely cause, and what action should be prioritized?

• The patient is experiencing fluid retention; the nurse should notify the healthcare provider and assess for other symptoms of heart failure exacerbation.

• The patient is dehydrated; the nurse should increase fluid intake.

• The patient is experiencing weight loss; the nurse should encourage more food intake.

• The patient is having an allergic reaction; the nurse should administer antihistamines.

A patient reports new onset of chest pain and dizziness during a routine cardiovascular assessment. Using evidence and reasoning, what is the most appropriate next step for the healthcare provider?

• Immediately assess vital signs and oxygen saturation, and prepare for possible acute cardiovascular intervention.

• Advise the patient to rest and return in a week if symptoms persist.

• Recommend over-the-counter pain medication and monitor at home.

• Ignore the symptoms as they are likely due to anxiety.

A patient is prescribed both an antianginal and an antiarrhythmic medication. As a healthcare provider, how would you strategically plan the administration of these medications to maximize their effectiveness, and what factors would you consider in your reasoning?

• Administer both medications at the same time each day without considering timing.

• Administer medications at random times to avoid drug interactions.

• Carefully schedule the administration times based on the pharmacodynamics of each medication, considering their peak effectiveness and the patient’s daily routine.

• Only administer the medications when the patient feels symptoms.

A patient on anticoagulant therapy asks what to do if they miss a dose. How would you use evidence and reasoning to educate the patient about the importance of adherence and the appropriate steps to take?

• Tell the patient to double the next dose to make up for the missed one.

• Advise the patient to skip the missed dose and continue with the next scheduled dose, and explain the risks of non-adherence, such as increased risk of clotting or bleeding.

• Instruct the patient to stop taking the medication altogether.

• Suggest the patient take the missed dose whenever they remember, regardless of timing.

A patient with hypertension and heart failure is struggling to manage their condition. Using your reasoning skills, explain why dietary counseling focusing on low sodium, low cholesterol, and controlled fluid intake is particularly important for this patient.

• These dietary changes help reduce blood pressure and fluid overload, which are critical in managing hypertension and heart failure.

• These dietary changes are only important for patients with diabetes, not cardiovascular conditions.

• Increasing sodium and cholesterol intake is recommended for heart failure patients.

• Fluid intake should be increased to help the heart pump more efficiently.

A patient asks why they should engage in regular, moderate exercise as part of their cardiovascular health plan. Using evidence and reasoning, explain the benefits of this recommendation.

• Regular, moderate exercise strengthens the heart and improves cardiovascular health by enhancing circulation and reducing risk factors.

• Exercise is only necessary for weight loss and does not impact heart health.

• Vigorous exercise is always better than moderate exercise for all patients.

• Physical activity should be avoided in all patients with cardiovascular conditions.

A patient who smokes and is overweight is at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Strategically plan an educational intervention that addresses both smoking cessation and weight management, and explain why both are crucial for managing cardiovascular risk factors.

• Providing resources and support for quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight reduces cardiovascular risk factors and improves overall heart health.

• Only weight management is important; smoking cessation has no impact on cardiovascular risk.

• Smoking cessation is only necessary for lung health, not heart health.

• Weight management should be ignored if the patient is already on medication.

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 long-term adjustment to lifestyle changes?

• Provide only medication for heart failure and monitor physical symptoms.

• Address emotional and psychological needs by offering counseling for anxiety and depression, and refer the patient to cardiac rehabilitation programs or support groups for ongoing lifestyle adjustment.

• Advise the patient to rest at home and avoid social interaction.

• Focus solely on dietary changes and ignore emotional symptoms.

You are designing a care plan for a patient recovering from a myocardial infarction. What evidence-based strategies would you include to help the patient manage stress and prevent further cardiac events?

• Encourage participation in support groups and cardiac rehabilitation, and provide psychological support to address stress, anxiety, and depression.

• Recommend complete bed rest and isolation from others.

• Suggest the patient ignore their emotional symptoms and focus only on medication adherence.

• Advise the patient to self-manage without professional or peer support.

A patient with a complex cardiovascular condition is being discharged from the hospital. As a healthcare provider, how would you strategically plan to ensure optimal management and continuity of care for this patient during the transition to a long-term care facility?

• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, schedule follow-up appointments, and coordinate the transition to ensure all providers are informed and care is continuous.

• Discharge the patient with written instructions and schedule a single follow-up appointment.

• Refer the patient only to a primary care physician and discontinue specialist involvement.

• Allow the patient to manage their own care without further coordination.