Cardiac Question #31

Question

The nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled for a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Which information by the nurse best explains the procedure?

Answers

1. “The procedure involves attaching grafts to replace blocked coronary arteries.”
   • Rationale:
2. “The procedure includes threading a catheter with a sharp blade at its tip to scrape plaque build-up.”
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3. “The procedure involves opening a blocked artery with an inflatable balloon located on the end of a catheter.”
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4. “The procedure involves a catheter with monitor on its tip which will stay in place during open heart surgery.”
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Overview

Explanation

PTCA involves insertion of a balloon-tipped catheter into the coronary artery to compress a plaque, thereby opening a stenosed or blocked artery. The first answer describes coronary bypass graft surgery and the second answer describes a procedure called atherectomy where plaque is removed through a catheter-ended blade or burr. The procedure does not include placing a monitor on the tip of a catheter for surgery visualization.

Learning Outcomes

Test Taking Tip

Video Rationale