Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital heart defect where there is an abnormal opening between the atria of the heart. The manifestations of ASD can vary depending on the size of the defect and the individual. However, common manifestations may include:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Assessing postural blood pressures is important in determining if the client may be experiencing orthostatic hypotension, which could have contributed to the fall. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure that can occur when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position. Older adults on antihypertensive medications are at increased risk for orthostatic hypotension. By monitoring postural blood pressures, the nurse can identify fluctuations in blood pressure that may put the client at risk for falls and implement appropriate interventions to prevent future falls. Monitoring serum sodium levels and creatinine levels are important for detecting electrolyte imbalances or kidney dysfunction but do not directly address the issue of orthostatic hypotension related to falls. Monitoring blood pressure every 2 hours may not provide valuable information on postural blood pressure changes that are associated with orthostatic hypotension.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The client with cardiomyopathy may experience decreased cardiac output, which is a common manifestation of this condition. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. Reduced cardiac output means that less blood is being pumped out by the heart with each beat, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and the need to rest between activities. This is why the client is experiencing the need to rest between activities during the day.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a condition characterized by widespread activation of clotting factors throughout the body, leading to both excessive clot formation and consumption of clotting factors. As a result, one of the common features of DIC is a decreased level of fibrinogen, which is an essential protein for blood clot formation. In DIC, fibrinogen is consumed in the formation of multiple small blood clots throughout the circulation, causing a decrease in its levels. This decrease in fibrinogen can contribute to the increased risk of bleeding that is seen in DIC. Therefore, a decreased fibrinogen level is a characteristic laboratory finding in DIC.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Option B, washing the lower extremities with mild soap, drying the legs, and applying a light moisturizer, indicates effective teaching for a client with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Proper hygiene, including gentle washing with mild soap, thorough drying to prevent moisture-related skin breakdown, and moisturizing to prevent dry skin and promote circulation, are key components of self-care for individuals with PVD. Option A is incorrect because sitting with a pillow behind the knees does not specifically address PVD self-care. Option C is incorrect because crossing the left leg over the right while sitting does not relate to appropriate PVD management. Option D is incorrect because smoking in any form is detrimental to vascular health and should be discouraged in PVD management.