A nurse is collecting data from a client who has left-sided heart failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Shortness of breath while lying down
Jugular venous distention
Right upper quadrant pain
Pitting edema of the lower legs
The Correct Answer is A
A. Shortness of breath while lying down. Shortness of breath when lying down, or orthopnea, is common in left-sided heart failure due to fluid backing up into the lungs, causing pulmonary congestion.
B. Jugular venous distention. Jugular venous distention is more commonly associated with right-sided heart failure due to systemic venous congestion.
C. Right upper quadrant pain. Right upper quadrant pain is associated with liver congestion due to right-sided heart failure, not left-sided heart failure.
D. Pitting edema of the lower legs. Pitting edema is a symptom of right-sided heart failure, as fluid backs up into the peripheral circulation.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) 55 seconds: This PTT value is within the therapeutic range for a client on heparin therapy.
B. Hematocrit 45%: This hematocrit value is within normal limits and is not concerning.
C. White blood cell count 8,000/mm³: A WBC count of 8,000/mm³ is within the normal range and does not require reporting.
D. Platelets 74,000/mm³: A low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) can indicate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a potentially serious complication of heparin therapy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Depression: While propranolol can sometimes worsen symptoms of depression, this is not as critical as the impact on conditions like heart failure.
B. Glaucoma: Propranolol does not typically affect glaucoma; however, some beta-blockers are used to treat glaucoma.
C. Migraine: Propranolol is sometimes used to prevent migraines, so a history of migraines would not require discontinuation.
D. Heart failure: Propranolol can exacerbate heart failure by reducing myocardial contractility. Clients with heart failure require careful monitoring or an alternative medication.