A nurse at a provider's office receives a telephone call from a client who reports nausea and has unrelieved chest pain after taking a nitroglycerin tablet 5 min ago. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
Advise the client to come into the office.
Advise the client to take an antacid.
Instruct the client to call 911.
Tell the client to take another nitroglycerin tablet in 15 min.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Advise the client to come into the office. The client needs immediate emergency intervention, not a routine office visit.
B. Advise the client to take an antacid. Chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin may indicate myocardial infarction; an antacid would not help.
C. Instruct the client to call 911. Persistent chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin warrants emergency attention due to potential heart attack.
D. Tell the client to take another nitroglycerin tablet in 15 min. The protocol allows taking an additional dose in 5 minutes, but emergency services should be called for unrelieved chest pain.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Your heart condition is caused from stiffening of the walls of the ventricles." Stiffening of the ventricular walls describes restrictive cardiomyopathy, not DCM.
B. "Your heart condition is caused by excessive stretching of the ventricles." DCM involves excessive stretching and thinning of the ventricular walls, leading to impaired contraction.
C. "Your heart condition is caused when the ventricular tissue becomes fibrous and fatty." This describes arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, not DCM.
D. "Your heart condition is caused by thickening of the ventricular walls and septum." This describes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, not DCM.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Obtain a blood sample. Although obtaining a blood sample is essential for cardiac enzyme levels, it is not the highest priority. Addressing oxygenation takes precedence to relieve hypoxia.
B. Initiate oxygen therapy. Oxygen is the first priority to improve oxygenation in a client showing signs of hypoxia (cyanosis, dyspnea), which can prevent further ischemic damage to the heart.
C. Attach the leads for a 12-lead ECG. While obtaining an ECG is essential for diagnosing myocardial ischemia, ensuring oxygenation is more critical in this moment.
D. Insert the IV catheter. An IV line is necessary to administer fluids and medications, but oxygenation should be prioritized first to stabilize the client.