ATI LPN
Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017)
Chapter 26 : Management of Patients With Dysrhythmias and Conduction Problems Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient who is a candidate for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) asks the nurse about the purpose of this device. What would be the nurses best response?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The ICD is a device that detects and terminates life-threatening episodes of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It does not treat atrial fibrillation, MI, or bradycardia.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is providing health education to a patient scheduled for cryoablation therapy. The nurse should describe what aspect of this treatment?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cryoablation therapy involves using a cooled probe to create a small scar on the endocardium to eliminate the source of the dysrhythmias. Endocardium resection involves peeling away a specified area of the endocardium. Electrical ablation involves using shocks to eliminate the area causing the dysrhythmias. Radio frequency ablation uses high-frequency sound waves to destroy the area causing the dysrhythmias.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient who has just had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placed. What is the priority area for the nurses assessment?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After a permanent electronic device (pacemaker or IC
D) is inserted, the patients heart rate and rhythm are monitored by ECG. This is a priority over peripheral circulation and activity. Echocardiography is not indicated.
Question 4 of 5
During a patients care conference, the team is discussing whether the patient is a candidate for cardiac conduction surgery. What would be the most important criterion for a patient to have this surgery?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cardiac conduction surgery is considered in patients who do not respond to medications and antitachycardia pacing. Angina, reduced activity tolerance, and ventricular fibrillation are not criteria.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient who is exhibiting ventricular tachycardia (VT). Because the patient is pulseless, the nurse should prepare for what intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Any type of VT in a patient who is unconscious and without a pulse is treated in the same manner as ventricular fibrillation: Immediate defibrillation is the action of choice. ECG monitoring is appropriate, but this is an assessment, not an intervention, and will not resolve the problem. An ICD and angioplasty do not address the dysrhythmia.