A nurse is assisting with the care of a client in the emergency department and reports severe radiating chest pain and shortness of breath. The client appears restless, frightened, and slightly cyanotic. The provider prescribes oxygen by nasal cannula at 4 L/min stat, cardiac enzyme levels, IV fluids, and a 12-lead ECG. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Obtain a blood sample.
Initiate oxygen therapy.
Attach the leads for a 12-lead ECG.
Insert the IV catheter.
The Correct Answer is B
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.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "A heart murmur is a high-pitched sound due to a narrow valve." Not all murmurs are high-pitched, nor are they always due to a narrow valve.
B. "This means that there is some inflammation around your heart." A murmur does not indicate inflammation around the heart; it typically indicates abnormal blood flow.
C. "This indicates turbulent blood flow through a valve." A heart murmur is caused by turbulent blood flow, often through a damaged or abnormal valve.
D. "A heart murmur is an extra sound due to blood entering an inflexible chamber." While inflexible chambers can cause extra heart sounds, this does not describe a murmur.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "I'll use my electric razor for shaving." This is correct as using an electric razor helps prevent cuts, which is important since warfarin increases bleeding risk.
B. "I'll be sure to eat foods with lots of vitamin K." Vitamin K reduces the effectiveness of warfarin; clients should be consistent with their intake of vitamin K to avoid fluctuations in INR.
C. "It's okay to have a couple of glasses of wine with dinner." Alcohol can increase the effect of warfarin and the risk of bleeding. Clients should avoid or limit alcohol intake.
D. "I'll take aspirin for my headaches." Aspirin also has anticoagulant effects and can increase bleeding risk when taken with warfarin.