A patient is diagnosed with acute decompensated heart failure. Laboratory results show a significantly elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level. BNP is released by the ventricles in response to increased wall stretch from volume and pressure overload. Which physiological effect should the nurse anticipate as a direct action of BNP?  

A 58 year old female patient was started on atorvastatin 20 mg po daily four weeks ago.  She calls the clinic today and tells the nurse, “My upper arms and thighs have been aching and throbbing for the past few days.  I am thinking of stopping my cholesterol pill.”  The nurse reviews her chart and notes she has a follow up appointment scheduled in 2 months for lab work. What is the nurse’s priority response? 

A nurse is performing a cardiovascular assessment on an adult client. While systematically auscultating the four cardiac valve areas, the nurse identifies a murmur that is loudest at the fifth intercostal space along the left midclavicular line. Based on the location of the abnormal heart sound, which cardiac valve is the nurse assessing most directly?  

The provider orders ceftriaxone 0.5 g IM stat for a patient diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease. The nurse retrieves a vial of ceftriaxone powder. The label directions read: “For IM administration, reconstitute with 3.6 mL of 1% Lidocaine HCl. The resulting solution contains 250 mg per mL.” How many milliliters (mL) will the nurse administer?  Round to the nearest tenth. Enter the number only.

A 32-year-old client is brought to the emergency department after blunt chest trauma in a motor-vehicle crash. The client initially reports right-sided chest pain and shortness of breath. During the assessment, the nurse notes increasing respiratory distress: HR 124/min RR 32/min and shallow BP 86/52 mm Hg SpO₂ 84% on room air Breath sounds absent on the right and present on the left Trachea deviated to the left Neck veins distended What should the nurse do first?  

A nurse is completing a health history on a 58-year-old male client during a wellness visit. The client reports the following: he smokes one pack of cigarettes per day, his father died of a myocardial infarction at age 52, he works a sedentary desk job and rarely exercises, his BMI is 34, his LDL cholesterol is elevated, he is African American, and he was recently diagnosed with hypertension. Based on this history, which risk factors for cardiopulmonary disease should the nurse identify as MODIFIABLE — meaning appropriate targets for a nurse-led teaching and intervention plan? Select all that apply.  

A nurse is caring for a client with a hemoglobin level of 7.2 g/dL. The client reports increasing fatigue and shortness of breath with activity. The client’s oxygen saturation is 98% on room air, and the lungs are clear bilaterally. The client asks, “If my oxygen level is normal, why do I feel short of breath?” Which response by the nurse best explains the client’s symptoms?  

A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has been taking lisinopril for several weeks. At today’s visit, the client’s blood pressure has decreased from 154/92 mm Hg to 128/78 mm Hg, and the client has less bilateral ankle edema and reports less shortness of breath. Which mechanism of lisinopril best explains these findings?  

A nurse is assessing a 70-year-old client who has not received routine healthcare for approximately 10 years. During auscultation of the carotid arteries, the nurse hears a bruit. The nurse suspects that vascular disease may be contributing to this finding. Which lab results would best support this interpretation?  

A 68-year-old patient is being visited by the home health nurse for his scheduled IV antibiotics for a chronic skin infection (cellulitis). The patient has a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia and reports experiencing chest pressure for the past week. Initially, the pressure occurred after walking his daily two blocks and went away after the client stopped and rested. Today, the client reports that the chest pressure: Occurred while sitting in a chair Lasted 15 minutes Was more intense than previous episodes Was accompanied by diaphoresis and nausea Blood pressure:  160/82 The client states, “I don’t understand why this is happening. I wasn’t even doing anything. “Which interpretation by the nurse is most appropriate and what is the nurse’s priority?