A patient with a history of HF presents to the emergency department with difficulty breathing, cough, and edema of the lower extremities. The nurse anticipates administration of which type of medication?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A patient with a history of heart failure (HF) presenting with difficulty breathing, cough, and lower extremity edema is likely experiencing decompensated HF, which is characterized by a decrease in cardiac output and inadequate tissue perfusion. Positive inotropes are medications that increase cardiac contractility, helping to improve the heart's pumping ability. By administering a positive inotrope, such as dobutamine or milrinone, the nurse can help enhance the heart's contractility, increase cardiac output, and improve overall tissue perfusion in the patient with decompensated HF. This can help alleviate symptoms such as difficulty breathing and edema in the lower extremities.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The response, "This drug is the first medication your health care provider will use to treat your angina," is accurate because Ranexa (ranolazine) is commonly used as a first-line treatment for chronic angina. It is typically prescribed when other angina medications, such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, are not sufficient or well-tolerated by the patient. Ranexa works by helping the heart muscle to relax, which can improve blood flow to the heart and reduce angina symptoms. It is important for the patient to understand that Ranexa is specifically intended to treat angina and should not be used for other conditions without consulting their healthcare provider.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When a patient is receiving antidysrhythmics, there is a risk of fluid and electrolyte disturbances due to the medication's effects on the heart's electrical activity. Antidysrhythmics can cause arrhythmias, which can impact cardiac output and blood pressure, potentially leading to fluid volume deficits. It is essential for nurses to monitor the patient's fluid balance closely and address any deficits promptly to prevent complications. Therefore, the nursing diagnosis of Deficient fluid volume is most appropriate for a patient receiving antidysrhythmics.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Milrinone (Primacor) is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that acts by increasing the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cardiac muscle cells. This leads to an increased force of cardiac contractions, which is known as a positive inotropic effect. This effect results in the heart muscle contracting more forcefully, leading to an increased cardiac output. The other options (A. Increased heart rate, B. Increased blood vessel dilation, D. Increased conduction of electrical impulses across the heart) do not directly relate to the inotropic effect of milrinone.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The specificity theory of pain proposes that there is a specific pain system in the body that is responsible for detecting and transmitting pain signals. According to this theory, specific pain receptors exist that are sensitive only to pain stimuli and are separate from other sensory receptors for touch, temperature, or pressure. When tissue damage or injury occurs, these pain receptors are activated, and they send signals through specific pain pathways to the brain, resulting in the sensation of pain. The specificity theory suggests that pain is a distinct sensory modality with its own dedicated system, separate from other sensory modalities.