A nurse on a telemetry unit is caring for a client who has unstable angina and is reporting chest pain with a severity of 6 on a 0 to 10 scale.The nurse administers 1 sublingual nitroglycerin tablet.
After 5 minutes, the client states that his chest pain is now a severity of 2. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Obtain an ECG.
Call the Rapid Response Team.
Administer another nitroglycerin tablet.
Initiate a peripheral IV.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice C rationale
Administering another nitroglycerin tablet is appropriate if the client's chest pain has not been fully relieved after the initial dose. Nitroglycerin helps to dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart and relieving angina. A second dose can be given if the pain persists, following the protocol for managing chest pain.
Choice A rationale
Obtaining an ECG is important for diagnosing and monitoring cardiac conditions; however, in this immediate context, further pain relief takes precedence. After ensuring pain relief, an ECG can be performed to assess the client's cardiac status.
Choice B rationale
Calling the Rapid Response Team is unnecessary if the client’s chest pain severity has already decreased. The priority should be to continue managing the chest pain with additional nitroglycerin if needed and monitoring the client's response.
Choice D rationale
Initiating a peripheral IV might be required for administering medications or fluids, but it is not the immediate action needed in this scenario. The priority is to provide additional pain relief with nitroglycerin.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Using the inhaler before engaging in physical activity helps to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, which is common in patients with COPD.
Choice B rationale
Skipping doses if symptoms improve is not recommended as it can lead to suboptimal control of COPD and potential exacerbations.
Choice C rationale
Using the inhaler only when experiencing severe symptoms is not effective in managing COPD. Regular use as prescribed helps maintain lung function and prevent exacerbations.
Choice D rationale
Doubling the dose if symptoms do not improve immediately is not safe and can lead to adverse effects. Patients should follow the prescribed dosage and consult their healthcare provider if symptoms persist.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Notifying the healthcare provider is necessary, but assessing the client's condition comes first to provide relevant information.
Choice B rationale
Assessing the client's vital signs and telemetry monitor is the first step to determine the cause of chest pain and ensure it is not due to a life-threatening issue such as myocardial infarction.
Choice C rationale
Encouraging the client to take deep breaths can be helpful but is not the first priority. It addresses pain related to breathing but not the underlying cause.
Choice D rationale
Administering pain medication is important, but only after determining the cause of the chest pain and ruling out serious complications.
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