A nurse is planning care for a client who is recovering from an acute myocardial infarction that occurred 3 days ago. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

Rationale for correct choices:

• Endoscopy: The client presents with a history of gnawing epigastric pain, one episode of dark, tarry stool, hypotension, tachycardia, and significant anemia. These findings suggest possible upper gastrointestinal bleeding or peptic ulcer disease. Endoscopy is the definitive diagnostic procedure to identify the source of bleeding and assess ulcer severity.
• Stool test results: The positive hemoccult (tarry stool) indicates gastrointestinal bleeding. This abnormal finding provides objective evidence that warrants further diagnostic evaluation through endoscopy to prevent further blood loss and complications.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

• Antibiotic prescription: While H. pylori infection can require antibiotics, this client’s immediate concern is gastrointestinal bleeding, not infection control. Antibiotics would not address the urgent need to identify and manage the bleeding source.
• Proton pump inhibitor therapy: Proton pump inhibitors help reduce gastric acid and promote ulcer healing, but initiating therapy alone does not evaluate or stop potential active bleeding. Endoscopy is needed first for diagnostic and possible therapeutic intervention.
• Hypotension: Although hypotension is present, it is a clinical sign of potential blood loss rather than a direct diagnostic criterion. It supports the urgency for endoscopy but is not the primary evidence for the procedure.
• Positive H. pylori test: While H. pylori infection contributes to ulcer formation, the acute presentation of bleeding evidenced by positive hemoccult stool makes the stool test a more immediate indicator for endoscopy.

Rationale:

A. Check the cords of the IV pump for fraying: Inspecting electrical cords for fraying or damage is an important safety step before use. Damaged cords can cause electrical shock, fire hazards, or equipment malfunction, so this helps ensure safe operation.

B. Remove the safety inspection sticker before plugging in the IV pump: Safety inspection stickers indicate that the device has passed electrical and functional safety checks. Removing them would eliminate visible proof of inspection and is not necessary for safe use.

C. Ensure that the electric outlet has two prongs for the IV pump: Medical equipment such as IV pumps should be plugged into grounded three-prong outlets to reduce the risk of electrical shock. Two-prong outlets do not provide this grounding protection.

D. Grasp the IV pump cord when unplugging it from the electrical outlet: Pulling on the cord can damage the internal wires and increase the risk of electrical hazards. The correct method is to grasp the plug itself when disconnecting from the outlet.