A nurse is caring for a client with chest pain. Laboratory Results
1300:
Cardiac troponin T less than 0.5 ng/mL (less than 0.1 ng/mL). LDL 110 mg/dL (less than 130 mg/dL).
Total cholesterol 230 mg/dL (less than 200 mg/dL).
Complete the following sentence by using the list of options: After notifying the provider, the nurse should first:
check a STAT cardiac troponin.
request a prescription for a beta-blocker.
administer sublingual nitroglycerin
Notify the senior
The Correct Answer is C
Administer sublingual nitroglycerin.
Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that can relieve chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia. The nurse should administer it as soon as possible to improve blood flow to the heart and reduce the risk of myocardial infarction. The nurse should also monitor the client’s blood pressure and heart rate after giving nitroglycerin, as it can cause hypotension and reflex tachycardia.
Choice A is wrong because checking a STAT cardiac troponin is not the first priority.
Cardiac troponin is a biomarker that indicates myocardial injury, but it may not rise until several hours after the onset of chest pain.
Therefore, it is not useful for immediate diagnosis or treatment of acute coronary syndrome. Choice B is wrong because requesting a prescription for a beta-blocker is not the first priority.
Beta-blockers are medications that can lower blood pressure and heart rate, and reduce the oxygen demand of the heart.
They can prevent or reduce the recurrence of chest pain and complications of acute coronary syndrome, but they are not indicated for immediate relief of chest pain.
Choice D is wrong because administering oxygen is not the first priority.
Oxygen therapy can increase the oxygen supply to the heart and reduce ischemia, but it is not necessary for all clients with chest pain.
Oxygen therapy should be based on the client’s oxygen saturation level and clinical condition.
If the client’s oxygen saturation is normal or high, oxygen therapy may not be beneficial and may even be harmful.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
This statement shows respect for the client’s interest in alternative therapies and offers guidance on how to choose a reliable and qualified provider. Alternative therapies can provide some benefits for people with rheumatoid arthritis, such as reducing pain, inflammation, and stiffness, but they should be used as a complement to conventional treatments and not as a substitute.
Choice B is wrong because it implies that the client has no role in deciding their own treatment plan and that alternative therapies are not worth considering.
This may discourage the client from sharing their preferences and concerns with the provider.
Choice C is wrong because it suggests that online support groups are a reliable source of information about alternative remedies, which may not be true.
Online sources may contain inaccurate, misleading, or harmful information that could jeopardize the client’s health and safety.
Choice D is wrong because it encourages the client to try any therapy that fits their personal belief system, without considering the evidence, effectiveness, or potential risks of such therapies. Some alternative therapies may interact with medications, cause side effects, or worsen the condition.
Normal ranges for rheumatoid arthritis are not applicable to this question, as it is not asking about laboratory values or disease activity measures. However, some common tests used to diagnose and monitor rheumatoid arthritis include erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C- reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, and joint ultrasound or X-ray.
The normal ranges for these tests may vary depending on the laboratory and the method used.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to inadequate oxygenation of the blood. It is more difficult to detect in people who have dark skin, so the nurse should look for cyanosis in areas where the skin is thinner and the blood supply is richer, such as the palms of the hands, the lips, the gums, and around the eyes.
These areas are less affected by melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.
Choice A is wrong because an area of trauma may have bruising or inflammation that can mask cyanosis.
Choice B is wrong because the sacrum is not a good site to assess for cyanosis in any skin tone, as it is prone to pressure ulcers and poor circulation.
Choice C is wrong because the shoulders are not a mucous membrane and may have more melanin than other areas of the body.
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