Which statement, made by the client with coronary artery disease, alerts the nurse that the client may be experiencing difficulty adapting to the illness?
"I feel a little anxious when I get chest discomfort."
"I know that I should carry my medication with me in case I develop chest pain."
"My wife and I will learn to cook using the 'good' cooking oils."
"I usually wait about two hours after I feel chest discomfort to seek medical attention."
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: This is not an alarming statement. Feeling a little anxious when experiencing chest discomfort is a normal and understandable reaction. Chest discomfort can be a sign of angina, which is a condition where the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen due to reduced blood flow. Angina can cause pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest, and can be triggered by physical or emotional stress. The client should try to relax and take their medication as prescribed to relieve the discomfort.
Choice B reason: This is not an alarming statement. Knowing that they should carry their medication with them in case they develop chest pain is a sign of good self-care and awareness. The client should have a quick-relief medication, such as nitroglycerin, that can dilate the coronary arteries and improve the blood flow to the heart. The client should take the medication as soon as they feel chest pain and follow the instructions on how to use it.
Choice C reason: This is not an alarming statement. Learning to cook using the "good" cooking oils is a sign of positive lifestyle change and adaptation. The client should avoid or limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, which can raise the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is also known as the "bad" cholesterol because it can deposit on the walls of the arteries and cause atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. The client should use unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil, which can lower the LDL cholesterol and increase the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is also known as the "good" cholesterol because it can remove the excess cholesterol from the arteries and transport it to the liver.
Choice D reason: This is the alarming statement. Waiting about two hours after feeling chest discomfort to seek medical attention is a sign of denial and delay. Chest discomfort can be a symptom of a heart attack, which is a life-threatening emergency where the blood flow to the heart is blocked and the heart muscle begins to die. The client should seek immediate medical attention if they experience chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes, or if it is accompanied by other signs, such as shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or arm or jaw pain. The sooner the client receives treatment, the better the chance of survival and recovery.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Having a urinary output of greater than 30 mL per hour for 24 hours is not the most appropriate outcome for the problem of impaired tissue perfusion. This outcome is more relevant for the problem of fluid volume excess or renal impairment, which are not the case for this client.
Choice B reason: Discussing which lifestyle modifications will be necessary to maintain health is not the most appropriate outcome for the problem of impaired tissue perfusion. This outcome is more relevant for the problem of knowledge deficit or risk for recurrence, which are not the priority for this client.
Choice C reason: Expressing no complaints of chest discomfort or shortness of breath is the most appropriate outcome for the problem of impaired tissue perfusion. This outcome indicates that the client's cardiac output and oxygen delivery are adequate and that the interventions are effective.
Choice D reason: Having clear breath sounds bilaterally upon auscultation is not the most appropriate outcome for the problem of impaired tissue perfusion. This outcome is more relevant for the problem of impaired gas exchange or pulmonary congestion, which are not the case for this client.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: I should continue to read the labels of foods I select at the grocery store is not a statement that indicates a need for further clarification by the nurse. This statement shows that the client understands the importance of choosing foods that are low in sodium, fat, and calories, which can help lower blood pressure and prevent complications.
Choice B reason: Keeping my blood pressure under control reduces my risk for a heart attack is not a statement that indicates a need for further clarification by the nurse. This statement shows that the client understands the benefits of pharmacologic therapy for hypertension, which can prevent or delay the development of cardiovascular disease.
Choice C reason: When I get out of bed in the morning, I should first sit for a few minutes and then stand is not a statement that indicates a need for further clarification by the nurse. This statement shows that the client understands how to prevent or minimize orthostatic hypotension, which is a possible side effect of some anti-hypertensive medications.
Choice D reason: I will be able to stop my anti-hypertensive medication when my blood pressure is normal is a statement that indicates a need for further clarification by the nurse. This statement shows that the client has a misconception about the nature and duration of pharmacologic therapy for hypertension. The nurse should explain that hypertension is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment and monitoring, and that stopping the medication abruptly can cause a rebound increase in blood pressure and increase the risk of complications.
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