A patient with a prosthetic heart valve is admitted with fever, chills and a new murmur. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct answer: A. Obtain prescribed blood cultures before antibiotics
- A. Obtain prescribed blood cultures before antibiotics
- B. Encourage vigorous ambulation to lower fever
- C. Give aspirin and reassess the murmur later
- D. Restrict all fluids until the fever resolves
Explanation
Fever, chills and a new murmur in a patient with a prosthetic valve suggest infective endocarditis. Blood cultures should be obtained as prescribed before antibiotics when the patient's condition allows, because treatment can make cultures negative.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? support@testustad.com
About Cardiovascular Nursing
Covers assessment and nursing care for hypertension, coronary artery disease, angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure, valvular disease and dysrhythmias. It includes interpreting vital signs and ECG findings, managing chest pain, monitoring cardiac medicines, recognizing complications and distinguishing left-sided from right-sided heart failure.
Practise Cardiovascular Nursing
50 free Cardiovascular Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Medical Surgical Nursing questions like this
Medical Surgical Nursing is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Cardiovascular Nursing questions
A patient with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A patient with acute myocardial infarction suddenly develops a new harsh systolic murmur and worsening breathlessness. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A patient with coronary artery disease is prescribed atorvastatin. Which laboratory test is most important for monitoring a possible serious adverse effect?
The ECG monitor shows a regular rhythm with a rate of 38 beats per minute. Each QRS complex is preceded by a P wave, and the PR interval is constant. Which rhythm is most likely present?
A patient with suspected myocardial infarction receives morphine for persistent severe pain. Which assessment is the priority after administration?
A patient with chronic aortic regurgitation is being assessed during a clinic visit. Which finding should the nurse expect?