A patient with a history of coronary artery disease experiences chest pain while walking. After taking sublingual nitroglycerin, the patient’s chest pain increases, and they experience clammy skin and blurry vision.
They call 911 and you are the nurse attending to them in the emergency department. What is the most important nursing intervention to do first?
Administer Lasix
Increase myocardial oxygenation
Obtain one hour of echocardiogram readings
Decrease the patient’s anxiety
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Administering Lasix (a diuretic) would not be the most immediate intervention for a patient experiencing increased chest pain after taking sublingual nitroglycerin. Lasix is used to treat fluid retention (edema) and swelling caused by congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, and other medical conditions. It works by causing the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.
Choice B rationale
The most important nursing intervention for a patient experiencing increased chest pain after taking sublingual nitroglycerin would be to increase myocardial oxygenation. This can be achieved by administering supplemental oxygen and ensuring the patient is in a position that maximizes respiratory efficiency (such as semi-Fowler’s position). This intervention addresses the immediate life-threatening situation of myocardial ischemia.
Choice C rationale
Obtaining one hour of echocardiogram readings would not be the most immediate intervention for a patient experiencing increased chest pain after taking sublingual nitroglycerin. While an echocardiogram can provide valuable information about the structure and function of the heart, it is not the first step in managing acute chest pain.
Choice D rationale
Decreasing the patient’s anxiety is an important aspect of care, but it is not the most immediate intervention for a patient experiencing increased chest pain after taking sublingual nitroglycerin. The priority is to address the physical cause of the chest pain.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While obesity can contribute to hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, it is not a contraindication for the use of propranolol. Weight management would be part of the overall treatment plan for hypertension, but it would not prevent the use of this medication.
Choice B rationale
Age is not a contraindication for the use of propranolol. While older adults may be more susceptible to certain side effects of the medication, age alone would not prevent a patient from taking propranolol.
Choice C rationale
Diabetes is a contraindication for the use of propranolol. Propranolol is a non-selective beta- blocker, which can mask symptoms of hypoglycemia, a common condition in people with diabetes. Therefore, it’s generally not recommended for people with diabetes.
Choice D rationale
Race is not a contraindication for the use of propranolol. While there are some differences in how people of different races may respond to certain medications, race alone would not prevent a patient from taking propranolol.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that is caused by another medical condition or medication. It is not the most common type of hypertension.
Choice B rationale
Congenital hypertension is not a recognized type of hypertension. Hypertension can be associated with some congenital conditions, but it is not a type of hypertension itself.
Choice C rationale
Acquired hypertension is not a recognized type of hypertension. While lifestyle factors can contribute to the development of hypertension, the term “acquired hypertension” is not typically used.
Choice D rationale
Primary hypertension, also known as essential hypertension, is the most common type of hypertension. It is high blood pressure that does not have a known secondary cause.
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