When assessing a male patient in the telemetry unit who is experiencing persistent, crushing chest pain, which symptoms would lead the nurse to suspect a myocardial infarction?

Choice A rationale
The diaphragm is not typically the location of a coarctation of the aorta. The diaphragm is a muscle that helps with breathing and separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.
Choice B rationale
The bifurcation into the common iliac arteries is not typically the location of a coarctation of the aorta. The common iliac arteries are located in the lower part of the aorta and supply blood to the pelvis and legs.
Choice C rationale
The aortic valve is not typically the location of a coarctation of the aorta. The aortic valve is located between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta.
Choice D rationale
The ductus arteriosus is the correct answer. Coarctation of the aorta often occurs near the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel that connects the left pulmonary artery to the aorta.

Choice A rationale
Serum hemoglobin of 14.7 g/dL is within the normal range for adults, which is typically 12.0 to
16.0 g/dL for women and 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. While it’s important to monitor hemoglobin levels, a value of 14.7 g/dL does not raise immediate concerns related to hypertension.
Choice B rationale
A blood glucose level of 96 mg/dL is considered normal. The normal range for fasting blood glucose is between 70 and 100 mg/dL1. Blood glucose levels are important to monitor, especially in patients with diabetes, but a value of 96 mg/dL is not immediately concerning in the context of hypertension.
Choice C rationale
A serum potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L is within the normal range, which is typically 3.6 to 5.2 mEq/L1. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate heart and muscle contractions and maintain fluid balance in the body. While it’s important to monitor potassium levels, a value of 4.5 mEq/L does not raise immediate concerns related to hypertension.
Choice D rationale
A serum creatinine level of 2.8 mg/dL is high. Creatinine is a waste product that’s produced by your muscles and filtered out of your blood by your kidneys. High levels of creatinine can indicate that the kidneys aren’t working properly, which can be a complication of hypertension. Therefore, this result is the most important to communicate to the healthcare provider.