What subjective data should the nurse obtain about a client's cardiac status? Select all that apply.
Inquire about personal and family cardiac history
Ask about fatigue and chest pain
Inspect for intercostal retractions and nasal flaring
Palpate the chest for any thrills and heaves
Auscultate the heart with the diaphragm and bell of stethoscope
Correct Answer : A,B
A. Inquiring about personal and family cardiac history provides essential subjective information on potential hereditary risks and the client’s own cardiac health.
B. Asking about fatigue and chest pain allows the nurse to assess symptoms that may suggest cardiac issues, making it critical subjective data.
C. Inspecting for intercostal retractions and nasal flaring is part of the objective assessment rather than subjective data.
D. Palpating the chest for thrills and heaves is also an objective action, assessing physical findings rather than subjective symptoms.
E. Auscultating the heart with the diaphragm and bell of the stethoscope is an objective assessment to detect sounds rather than gathering subjective information from the client.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Auscultate for any cardiac murmurs is correct, as a thrill often indicates turbulent blood flow, which may correlate with murmurs that can be heard upon auscultation.
B. Comparing apical and radial pulse rates is useful in assessing pulse deficits but does not directly address the cause of the thrill.
C. Palpating the quality of the peripheral pulses does not provide specific information about the thrill's origin.
D. Finding the point of maximal impulse is a useful cardiac assessment but does not directly explain the cause of the thrill.
E. Checking capillary refill time assesses peripheral perfusion but does not relate to the thrill's cause.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Decreased lung sounds on expiration are common in COPD patients due to airway obstruction but do not necessarily indicate an acute issue.
B. Respirations are 40 breaths/minute is a critical finding, as this rapid respiratory rate suggests significant respiratory distress or worsening hypoxemia, which needs immediate intervention to prevent further complications.
C. An anterior-posterior diameter ratio of 1:1 (barrel chest) is a common finding in advanced COPD but does not indicate acute worsening.
D. Hyperresonance to percussion is typical in patients with COPD due to air trapping and does not suggest an immediate emergency.
E. Decreased tactile fremitus may occur in COPD due to increased air trapping but is not an urgent finding requiring immediate reporting.