What further assessment data would suggest pulmonary embolism?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Increased heart rate and shallow painful respirations are indicative of pulmonary embolism. Increased heart rate is a common response to decreased oxygen levels due to impaired blood flow from a clot in the pulmonary arteries. Shallow, painful respirations can occur due to chest pain and difficulty breathing associated with pulmonary embolism. Decreased urine output and elevated central venous pressure (Choice A) are more indicative of heart failure or renal issues. Elevated temperature and decreased skin turgor (Choice C) are signs of dehydration or infection. Abdominal tenderness and decreased capillary refill (Choice D) are more suggestive of intra-abdominal issues like appendicitis or bowel obstruction.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dopamine. Dopamine is a medication used in cases of shock, including cardiogenic shock from a myocardial infarction. It helps to increase blood pressure and heart rate, improving cardiac output. Atropine (A) is used for bradycardia, not shock. Digoxin (C) is used for heart failure, not shock. Adenosine (D) is used for certain types of arrhythmias, not shock. Dopamine is the most appropriate choice to counteract shock in cases of myocardial infarction.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Check the apical pulse for one minute. Before administering a beta blocker, it is essential to assess the client's heart rate as beta blockers can lower heart rate. Checking the apical pulse for one minute provides an accurate assessment of the client's baseline heart rate. This allows the nurse to identify any bradycardia or irregularities that may require the dose to be withheld or adjusted. Summary: B: Checking a potassium level is not directly related to the administration of a beta blocker. C: Checking a blood glucose level is not typically required before administering a beta blocker. D: Checking the pedal pulses is not as relevant as assessing the client's heart rate when administering a beta blocker.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome. This is because calcium channel blockers can exacerbate the accessory pathway in WPW syndrome, leading to potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. Choices A and B are not contraindications as calcium channel blockers are commonly used to manage hypertension and arrhythmias. Choice D, glaucoma, is not directly related to the use of calcium channel blockers for arrhythmias.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increased heart rate. Increasing heart rate can help increase cardiac output by pumping more blood with each heartbeat, compensating for the decreased output. Decreasing heart rate (choice A) would further reduce cardiac output. Increased blood volume (choice C) can increase preload and cardiac output, but only if the heart is able to handle the increased volume. Decreased venous return (choice D) would decrease preload and subsequently cardiac output. Therefore, choice B is the most appropriate option to increase cardiac output in this scenario.