A patient with mitral valve disease is admitted to a medical unit with fever, chills, SOB, malaise and a newly developed cardiac murmur. Based on the patient's new diagnosis of endocarditis, the nurse will begin preparing him for discharge by teaching about:
a. lifestyle modifications.
b. warfarin (Coumadin) therapy.
c. self-administration of IV antibiotics.
d. the need for fluid restrictions.
c. self-administration of IV antibiotics.

A patient with hypercholesterolemia was prescribed pravastatin (Prevachol). The nurse should teach the patent about which of the following side effects for this medication?
a. Muscle weakness
b. Flushing
c. Itching
d. Hypotension
a. Muscle weakness

Ms. Parsons, age 65, is transferred to a medical telemetry unit after several days in the coronary care unit for treatment of an acute MI. Ms. Parsons remains very anxious, with occasional episodes of chest pressure. Which medication does the nurse prepare for Ms. Parsons to decrease her anxiety and improve cardiac output?
a. Nitroprusside (Nipride)
b. Diazepam (Valium)
c. Morphine sulfate (MS)
d. Dopamine (Intropin)
c. Morphine sulfate (MS)

The nurse's assessment of Mr. Harrison's response to digoxin will include which of the following as the most common early indicator of toxicity.
a. Anorexia
b. Diarrhea
c. Headache
d. Confusion
a. Anorexia

The nurse is also aware that some of Mr. Harrison's medications can increase serum digitalis concentrations and thus the risk for digoxin toxicity. These include:
a. calcium carbonate (Tums)
b. cholestyramine (Questran)
c. sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
d. amiodarone (Cordarone)
d. amiodarone (Cordarone)

The nurse teaches Ms. Pratt about the use of nitroglycerin. Following teaching, it is most important for the patient to:
a. indicate she will call for help if three nitroglycerin tablets don not relieve her chest pain.
b. identify flushing and dizziness as common side effects of the drug.
c. verbalize understanding that nitroglycerin will help prevent her from having a myocardial infarction (MI)
d. confirm she will not take the drug unless she is experiencing chest pain.
a. indicate she will call for help if three nitroglycerin tablets don not relieve her chest pain.

A 68 year old female is admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Her cardiac history includes three previous MIs and three coronary artery bypass grafts. The patient's appetite is unchanged. Which dietary restriction would be the highest priority for this patient?
a. Low cholesterol
b. Reduced calorie
c. Low fat
d. Restricted sodium
d. Restricted sodium

A 65 year old male is diagnosed with right-sided heart failure and admitted to the medical-surgical unit. Based on this diagnosis, the nurse will expect assessment to include which of the following findings:
a. Dyspnea on exertion and bibasilar crackles
b. Dependent edema and hepatic engorgement
c. Distended veins and systolic murmur
d. Cool extremities and weak peripheral pulses
b. Dependent edema and hepatic engorgement

The priority nursing intervention for a patient with suspected MI is :
a. auscultating for adventitious breath sounds.
b. monitoring fluid and electrolyte status.
c. preventing thrombi and emboli.
d. providing appropriate analgesia.
d. providing appropriate analgesia.

The nurse is caring for a patient with a history of three previous MIs and three coronary artery bypass grafts. An echocardiogram reveals an ejection fraction of 15%. The nurse prepares to teach the patient about which medication that will be ordered during the acute phase of heart failure?
a. Dobutamine (Dobutex)
b. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
c. Atenolol (Tenormin)
d. Captopril (Capoten)
a. Dobutamine (Dobutex)