A client with coronary artery disease (CAD) is admitted to the medical unit for testing. The client describes having had frequent episodes of angina over the last few days prior to admission. The client is now experiencing shortness of breath, nausea, and chest pressure. After obtaining the client's vital signs, which action should the nurse take next?
Verify troponin level assessments are scheduled every 3 to 6 hours for a series of three.
Initiate dim lighting, lower alarm volumes, and control traffic in and out of the room area.
Count and record the number of premature ventricular contractions per minute.
Apply oxygen via nasal cannula and titrate to keep oxygen saturation above 93%.
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale
A. Troponin levels are cardiac biomarkers that are elevated in the blood when there is damage to the heart muscle, such as during a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Verifying the schedule for troponin assessments is important to monitor for myocardial damage and to guide treatment decisions.
B. This action is aimed at creating a quiet and calm environment for the client, which can help reduce anxiety and minimize stimuli that might exacerbate symptoms. Creating a conducive environment is beneficial for the client's comfort and well-being but should not delay urgent interventions required for acute symptoms.
C. PVCs are abnormal heartbeats that can occur in individuals with CAD and may indicate increased cardiac irritability or instability. While monitoring PVCs is important for assessing cardiac rhythm and potential complications, it is not the immediate priority over addressing acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, and chest pressure.
D. Oxygen therapy is essential in the management of a client with suspected ACS to improve oxygenation and reduce cardiac workload. Maintaining oxygen saturation above 93% helps ensure adequate tissue oxygenation, especially during episodes of chest discomfort and potential myocardial ischemia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
Rationale
The client is experiencing significant psychological distress characterized by intrusive thoughts and memories related to the traumatic event (house collapsing during a hurricane). These thoughts are causing her difficulty in falling asleep and impacting her emotional well-being. Her statement about feeling unable to get out of a "funk" suggests that she may be experiencing symptoms of acute stress or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It's crucial to address her psychological distress promptly to provide support and prevent exacerbation of her symptoms.
Sleep Difficulties: The client requests sleeping medication due to her difficulty in falling asleep. Sleep disturbances are common after experiencing a traumatic event and can further contribute to emotional distress and hinder recovery. It's important to assess her sleep patterns and consider appropriate interventions, such as pharmacological sleep aids under medical supervision, to help her achieve adequate restorative sleep.
Environment: The client expresses a preference for a quieter area of the unit away from constant noise (talking and alarms). Hospital environments can be noisy and disruptive, which can exacerbate anxiety and sleep difficulties. Ensuring she is in a quieter environment or making adjustments to minimize noise near her can improve her comfort and facilitate better sleep, which is essential for recovery and emotional well-being.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale
A. Continuing with the tracheostomy care procedure while a code blue is ongoing for another client is not appropriate. A code blue takes precedence as it indicates a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate response.
B. Closing the room door is not a priority action during a code blue. The immediate focus should be on responding to the emergency and providing assistance as needed.
C. If additional help is needed to assist with the tracheostomy care procedure, calling for an assistant could be appropriate under normal circumstances. However, during a code blue, the primary responsibility is to respond to the emergency immediately.
D. A code blue indicates a cardiac or respiratory arrest, which requires immediate intervention. As a nurse, responding to the code blue involves providing assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), fetching emergency equipment, and supporting the healthcare team in resuscitative efforts.
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