Question

The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. The onset was approximately 2 to 3 days ago. The client is scheduled for a transesophageal echocardiogram this morning. The client's spouse asks what this test is for. The best response by the nurse is which of the following?

a) "This test will show the specific area causing the atrial fibrillation and what can be done to stop it."
b) "This test will show any blood clots in the heart and if it is safe to do a cardioversion."
c) "This test will let the doctor know if the client is at risk for hypotension."
d) "This test will show if the client needs a cardiac catheterzation."

Answer 1

The transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is used to detect blood clots in the heart before a cardioversion procedure in patients with atrial fibrillation. It provides a detailed view of the heart's structure and function.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response by the nurse to explain the purpose of a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) to a client's spouse is: "This test will show any blood clots in the heart and if it is safe to do a cardioversion." A TEE involves using ultrasound technology to take images of the heart from within the esophagus, providing a closer and more detailed view of the heart's structure and function compared to a standard echocardiogram. This is especially useful in atrial fibrillation to check for the presence of blood clots in the heart before procedures like cardioversion, which refers to the restoration of a normal heart rhythm by electric shock or medication.