The nurse is evaluating the effects of the prescribed carvedilol 6.25 mg PO daily for a client with a history of unstable angina. Which of the following reflects that the medication has been effective?

Choice A reason: The pain you have is because your heart valves are damaged is not the most appropriate response. This statement may apply to a client with valvular heart disease, but not necessarily to a client with coronary artery disease. The nurse should explain that coronary artery disease is a condition that affects the blood vessels that supply the heart, not the heart valves.

Choice B reason: Your heart muscle is weak and is not pumping forcefully is not the most appropriate response. This statement may apply to a client with heart failure, but not necessarily to a client with coronary artery disease. The nurse should explain that coronary artery disease is a condition that reduces the blood flow to the heart, not the heart's contractility.

Choice C reason: The pain is caused by decreased oxygen to the heart muscle is the most appropriate response. This statement accurately describes the cause of angina, which is the chest pain that occurs when the heart does not receive enough oxygen due to narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. The nurse should also inform the client about the factors that can trigger or relieve angina, such as physical exertion, emotional stress, cold weather, or nitroglycerin.

Choice D reason: The layers of your heart are weak and thin is not the most appropriate response. This statement may apply to a client with cardiomyopathy, but not necessarily to a client with coronary artery disease. The nurse should explain that coronary artery disease is a condition that affects the blood vessels that supply the heart, not the heart's structure.

Choice A reason: Furosemide 40 mg PO daily is not the medication that the nurse should administer for chest pain. Furosemide is a diuretic that reduces fluid volume and lowers blood pressure, but it does not relieve anginal pain.

Choice B reason: Diltiazem 30 mg PO daily is not the medication that the nurse should administer for chest pain. Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, but it does not act quickly enough to relieve acute anginal pain.

Choice C reason: Metoprolol 25 mg PO bid is not the medication that the nurse should administer for chest pain. Metoprolol is a beta blocker that slows down the heart rate and lowers blood pressure, but it does not act quickly enough to relieve acute anginal pain.

Choice D reason: Nitroglycerin 0.4 mg SL PRN is the medication that the nurse should administer for chest pain. Nitroglycerin is a nitrate that dilates the coronary arteries and increases blood flow to the heart, thus relieving anginal pain. It is given sublingually (under the tongue) as needed for chest pain.