A nurse is teaching participants at a community center about advance directives. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

Rationale:

A. A client who has decreased interleukin-6 levels: Interleukin-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that may be elevated in depression, but its decrease is not an indicator for antidepressant use. It’s not routinely used to determine the need for antidepressant therapy in clinical practice.

B. A client who has decreased urine cortisol levels: Depression is more commonly associated with increased cortisol levels due to stress responses. Low cortisol may be seen in conditions like Addison's disease but does not typically guide antidepressant use.

C. A client who has decreased C-reactive protein levels: CRP is a nonspecific inflammatory marker. While elevated CRP has been observed in some individuals with depression, a decreased CRP level would not indicate the need for antidepressant therapy.

D. A client who has decreased serotonin levels: Low serotonin levels are closely linked to depression pathophysiology. Many antidepressants, such as SSRIs, target serotonin levels to relieve depressive symptoms, making this the most relevant indicator for antidepressant therapy.

Rationale for correct choices:

• Administer oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula: The client's oxygen saturation has dropped to 92% on room air, indicating mild hypoxia. Supplemental oxygen should be administered to improve myocardial oxygenation and reduce ischemia while further interventions are being prepared.
• Administer sublingual nitroglycerin: Nitroglycerin is a first-line medication for chest pain caused by suspected myocardial ischemia. It promotes vasodilation, reduces myocardial oxygen demand, and provides symptom relief. Administering it promptly can help prevent further cardiac damage.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

• Request a prescription for an increase in statin medication: Although the client has hyperlipidemia, increasing the statin dose is not an immediate priority during an acute chest pain episode. Lipid management is important long-term but does not address the acute ischemic event.
• Prepare the client for cardiac catheterization: Cardiac catheterization may eventually be necessary, but it is not the nurse’s first action. The priority is to stabilize the client’s symptoms (oxygenation and pain) before preparing for any invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.
• Check a STAT cardiac troponin: Troponin has already been obtained and is within normal limits at this point. While serial troponins may be needed later, immediate nursing priorities focus on symptom relief and oxygenation rather than repeating the test right away.
• Request a prescription for a beta-blocker: Beta-blockers may be used in the treatment of suspected myocardial infarction to reduce heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand. However, their initiation typically follows pain relief, oxygenation, and diagnostic confirmation, not as the first nursing action.