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?
Intermittent claudication and pallor.
Jugular vein distention and dependent edema.
Mid-epigastric pain and heartburn.
Sweating and cool, clammy skin.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Intermittent claudication and pallor are not typically symptoms of a myocardial infarction. Intermittent claudication, or pain in the legs with exercise, is more commonly associated with peripheral artery disease. Pallor, or paleness, can occur with various conditions but is not a specific sign of myocardial infarction3.
Choice B rationale
Jugular vein distention and dependent edema are not typically symptoms of a myocardial infarction. These signs are more commonly associated with heart failure3.
Choice C rationale
Mid-epigastric pain and heartburn can sometimes be symptoms of a myocardial infarction, particularly in women. However, these symptoms can also occur with many other conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders3.
Choice D rationale
Sweating and cool, clammy skin are common symptoms of a myocardial infarction. These symptoms occur due to the body’s stress response to the decreased blood flow to the heart muscle3.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic medication used to treat hypertension and edema. One of the side effects of furosemide is hypokalemia, or low potassium levels. A serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L is lower than the normal range (3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L), which can lead to serious complications such as cardiac arrhythmias.
Therefore, this observation is crucial to communicate to the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While it’s important to inquire about an allergy to iodine in a patient who has undergone an angiogram, it’s not typically the priority for assessing and documenting for this patient after the procedure. An allergy to iodine would be more relevant before the procedure, as iodine-based contrast dye is often used during an angiogram.
Choice B rationale
Checking peripheral pulses in the affected leg is typically a priority when caring for a patient who has undergone an angiogram. This is because the procedure involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in the leg. Checking the peripheral pulses can help assess for potential complications such as a blood clot or decreased blood flow to the leg.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring for decreased blood pressure is important in a patient who has undergone an angiogram, but it’s not typically the priority for assessing and documenting for this patient after the procedure. While changes in blood pressure can occur after any medical procedure, other assessments such as checking peripheral pulses in the affected leg are typically more directly related to potential complications of an angiogram.
Choice D rationale
Tracking fluid intake is an important part of overall patient care, but it’s not typically the priority for assessing and documenting for a patient who has undergone an angiogram. Other assessments such as checking peripheral pulses in the affected leg are typically more directly related to potential complications of an angiogram.
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