The nurse is caring for an adult client who was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect as a child, which was later repaired with surgery. Which common complication of a heart defect should the nurse monitor that the client may still be at risk for?

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Question 1 of 5

The nurse is caring for an adult client who was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect as a child, which was later repaired with surgery. Which common complication of a heart defect should the nurse monitor that the client may still be at risk for?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Endocarditis is a common complication that individuals with repaired congenital heart defects may still be at risk for. Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves. The altered structure of the heart tissue from the previous defect and surgery can create an increased risk for bacterial growth and infection. Patients with a history of congenital heart defects should be monitored for signs and symptoms of endocarditis, such as fever, fatigue, new heart murmurs, and evidence of systemic embolization. Prophylactic antibiotics before certain dental and surgical procedures may be recommended to prevent endocarditis in this population. Therefore, the nurse should be vigilant in monitoring for any symptoms suggestive of endocarditis in this client.

Question 2 of 5

The nurse is caring for a client with congestive heart failure (CHF) who frequently wakes during the night frightened and short of breath. Based on this data, what is the client experiencing?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is a symptom commonly seen in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). It is characterized by sudden awakening from sleep due to difficulty breathing and feeling of suffocation. This occurs because when the patient lies down, the redistribution of fluid in the body leads to increased fluid in the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. Patients with CHF often experience worsening of symptoms at night, including paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, due to the shift in fluid dynamics in a supine position. Therefore, the client in this scenario is likely experiencing paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, a classic symptom of heart failure exacerbation.

Question 3 of 5

A client with primary hypertension is prescribed terazosin (Hytrin) to treat this condition. What is the mechanism of action of this drug?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Terazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker. By blocking alpha-1 receptors in the vascular smooth muscle, terazosin causes dilation of both arteries and veins, leading to reduced peripheral vascular resistance and decreased blood pressure. This dilation effect is achieved by preventing the binding of norepinephrine to alpha-1 receptors, thereby inhibiting vasoconstriction. Terazosin is commonly used in the treatment of hypertension to help lower blood pressure by reducing the workload on the heart and improving blood flow to organs and tissues.

Question 4 of 5

An adult client is experiencing paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Which nursing interventions are appropriate based on the data provided? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Question 5 of 5

What causes brown pigmentation of the lower extremities in clients with venous stasis?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The brown pigmentation of the lower extremities in clients with venous stasis is primarily caused by the breakdown of red blood cells in the congested tissues. When there is venous stasis, the blood circulation is impaired, leading to a backup of blood in the lower extremities. This stagnant blood contains hemosiderin, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. Over time, the hemosiderin deposits in the tissues, causing the characteristic brown discoloration seen in conditions such as chronic venous insufficiency. This process is known as hemosiderin deposition and is a common consequence of venous stasis.

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