A patient is admitted to the emergency department and diagnosed as having an ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Which question would the nurse ask to determine whether the patient is a candidate for thrombolytic therapy?.
"Did you take aspirin today?".
"Do you have any allergies?".
"Can you rate the pain on a 0 to 10 scale?".
"What time did your pain begin?". .
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale:
While aspirin is often given to patients with suspected myocardial infarction, asking if the patient took aspirin does not help determine the timing of the onset of symptoms.
Choice B rationale:
Knowing the patient’s allergies is important for medication safety, but it does not help determine eligibility for thrombolytic therapy.
Choice C rationale:
Rating the pain on a scale helps assess the severity of the pain, but it does not provide information about the timing of the onset of symptoms.
Choice D rationale:
The time of pain onset is crucial in determining eligibility for thrombolytic therapy. Thrombolytic therapy is most effective when given within a certain time frame from the onset of symptoms.
So, the correct answer is D, after analyzing all choices.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The pain level of 3 to 5 on a scale of 0 to 10 does not specifically indicate chronic stable angina.
Choice B rationale:
Pain that has worsened over the last week could indicate a number of conditions, not specifically chronic stable angina.
Choice C rationale:
Pain that wakes a patient up at night could be a sign of a number of conditions, not specifically chronic stable angina.
Choice D rationale:
Chronic stable angina is characterized by chest pain that is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. Therefore, if the patient’s pain goes away with a nitroglycerin tablet, it would help confirm a diagnosis of chronic stable angina.
So, the correct answer is Choice D, after analyzing all choices.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
While bilateral crackles at the lung bases indicate fluid accumulation, a common symptom of dilated cardiomyopathy, it’s not as immediately life-threatening as some other conditions.
Choice B rationale:
Acute aortic regurgitation can lead to a rapid and severe drop in blood pressure, which is a medical emergency. Therefore, this patient should be assessed first.
Choice C rationale:
While a murmur and splinter hemorrhages are symptoms of infective endocarditis, they are not as immediately life-threatening as acute aortic regurgitation.
Choice D rationale:
Sharp chest pain with a deep breath could be a symptom of rheumatic fever, but it’s not as immediately life-threatening as acute aortic regurgitation.
So, the correct answer is Choice B, after analyzing all choices.
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