Question

The nurse is caring for a client who has just had implantation of an automatic internal cardioverter-defibrillator. The nurse immediately would assess which item based on priority?

1.Anxiety level of the client and family
2.Presence of a Medic-Alert card for the client to carry
3.Knowledge of restrictions of postdischarge physical activity
4.Activation status of the device, heart rate cutoff, and number of shocks it is programmed to deliver

Answer 1

The nurse should immediately assess the activation status of the device, heart rate cutoff, and number of shocks it is programmed to deliver.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should immediately assess the activation status of the device, heart rate cutoff, and number of shocks it is programmed to deliver. This is the most important priority as it ensures the device is functioning properly and has the correct settings to respond to any potential cardiac events. Assessing the client's anxiety level, presence of a Medic-Alert card, and knowledge of postdischarge physical activity restrictions are also important, but they are not as critical as ensuring the proper functioning of the device.