A patient is being admitted to the emergency department with intermittent chest pain. They provide a list of daily medications.

Which medication from the list has the most immediate implications for the patient’s care?

Calcium channel blocker

Phosphodiesterase 5 enzyme inhibitor

Anticoagulant

Loop diuretics

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale
Calcium channel blockers are primarily used to treat hypertension, angina, and certain heart arrhythmias. They work by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels. While they can affect heart rate and blood pressure, they would not typically have immediate implications for a patient presenting with intermittent chest pain.
Choice B rationale
Phosphodiesterase 5 enzyme inhibitors, such as sildenafil (Viagra), are used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. These medications can interact with nitroglycerin, a common medication used to treat chest pain, to cause a severe and life-threatening drop in blood pressure. Therefore, it’s crucial to know if a patient is taking this type of medication when they present with chest pain.
Choice C rationale
Anticoagulants are used to prevent blood clots. If a patient is taking an anticoagulant, it could affect their clotting times and could be important if the patient needs surgery or if the cause of their chest pain is a clot. However, this would not typically have immediate implications for the treatment of chest pain.
Choice D rationale
Loop diuretics are strong diuretics that are used to treat edema and hypertension. They work by preventing your body from absorbing too much salt, allowing the salt to instead be passed in your urine. While important to know for overall patient care, they would not typically have immediate implications for a patient presenting with chest pain.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.
Choice B rationale
Cardioverting the client with a biphasic defibrillator is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.
Choice C rationale
The first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern is to assess the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation.
Choice D rationale
Administering an amiodarone bolus followed by a drip is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.

A. Providing a pressure reducing mattress. B. Administering oxygen and monitoring for dry nasal mucus membranes. C. Encouraging the client to turn, deep breathe, cough, and use the incentive spirometer. D. Placing the client in Fowler’s position.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Providing a pressure-reducing mattress, while important for preventing pressure ulcers, is not directly related to improving gas exchange in the lungs. Therefore, it would be considered the least priority intervention for a nursing diagnosis of impaired gas exchange related to fluid in the alveoli.
Choice B rationale
Administering oxygen and monitoring for dry nasal mucus membranes is a crucial intervention for a patient with impaired gas exchange. Oxygen therapy can help increase the amount of oxygen in the blood and alleviate symptoms of hypoxemia.
Choice C rationale
Encouraging the client to turn, deep breathe, cough, and use the incentive spirometer can help improve lung ventilation, promote the clearance of secretions, and prevent atelectasis, thereby improving gas exchange.
Choice D rationale
Placing the client in Fowler’s position can help improve lung expansion and gas exchange by reducing pressure on the diaphragm, making it easier for the patient to breathe.

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A patient is being admitted to the emergency department with intermittent chest pain. They provide a list of daily medications. Which medication from the list has the most immediate implications for the patient’s care?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client on a cardiac monitor. The patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern. What is the first action the nurse should take?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A patient newly admitted with pulmonary edema is due to receive several medications. Which medication should the nurse efore administration?

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The standard policy on the cardiac unit states, “Notify the health care provider for mean arterial pressure (MAP) less than 70 mm Hg.”. Which patient should the nurse call the health care provider about?

Which patient statement would help the nurse confirm a previous diagnosis of chronic stable angina?

A patient is being admitted to the emergency department with intermittent chest pain. They provide a list of daily medications.

Which medication from the list has the most immediate implications for the patient’s care?