A patient with chronic heart failure who is taking a diuretic and an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and who is on a low-sodium diet tells the home health nurse about a 5-lb weight gain in the past 3 days. The nurse's priority action will be to

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The 5-lb weight gain over 3 days indicates that the patient's chronic heart failure may be worsening. It is important that the patient be assessed immediately for other clinical manifestations of decompensation, such as lung crackles. A dietary recall to detect hidden sodium in the diet, reinforcement of sodium restrictions, and assessment of medication compliance may be appropriate interventions but are not the first nursing actions indicated.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Vasa vasorum supply the outer layers of large vessels, located in the tunica adventitia and outer tunica media.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Tricuspid valve stenosis produces a diastolic murmur due to obstructed flow during ventricular filling.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The SA node has a slow depolarizing phase due to slow calcium influx, unlike the rapid sodium-driven depolarization elsewhere.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: High cholesterol inhibits HMG CoA reductase to reduce further synthesis.