A client with alcoholism is admitted to a medical-surgical unit with a serum magnesium level of 0.9 mEq/L. Which clinical manifestations would the nurse expect to find in this client?

Choice A: Elevated troponins. This is a correct answer. Troponins are proteins that regulate the myocardial contractile process². They are released into the bloodstream when the myocardial cells are damaged by ischemia or infarction². Troponins are highly specific and sensitive indicators of myocardial injury². The normal range for troponin I is less than 0.03 ng/mL and for troponin T is less than 0.01 ng/mL².

Choice B: Decreased homocysteine levels. This is not a correct answer. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is involved in the metabolism of methionine². Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but they are not a direct marker of myocardial injury². The normal range for homocysteine is 5 to 15 micromol/L².

Choice C: Elevated CK-MB. This is a correct answer. CK-MB is one of the isoenzymes of creatine kinase, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of creatine to phosphocreatine, which is used for energy storage in the muscles². CK-MB is found mainly in the myocardium and is released into the blood when the myocardial cells are injured². CK-MB is a specific and sensitive marker of myocardial injury, but it is less specific than troponins². The normal range for CK-MB is 0 to 3 ng/mL².

Choice D: Decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP).This is not a correct answer. ALP is an enzyme that is found in various tissues, such as the liver, bone, intestine, and placenta². ALP is not a marker of myocardial injury, and its levels are not affected by ischemia or infarction². The normal range for ALP is 30 to 120 U/L².

Choice E: Increased platelet count.This is not a correct answer. Platelets are blood cells that are involved in hemostasis and clot formation². Increased platelet count, or thrombocytosis, can be a sign of inflammation, infection, malignancy, or other conditions². Platelet count is not a marker of myocardial injury, and it does not reflect the extent of ischemia or infarction². The normal range for platelet count is 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood².

Choice A reason: It is not the best intervention to exclude the family from the exercise program. Family involvement can provide support, motivation, and accountability for the client. Family members can also participate in the exercise program and benefit from its positive effects on blood pressure and overall health.

Choice B reason: This is the best intervention to help the client maintain the exercise program. Adapting the program to the client's needs and abilities ensures that the exercise is appropriate, safe, and effective for the client. It also increases the client's confidence, satisfaction, and adherence to the program.

Choice C reason: Providing the client with specific details of how to perform the exercises is an important intervention, but not the best one. The client may still have difficulties or barriers to maintaining the exercise program, such as lack of time, resources, or motivation. The nurse should also assess the client's readiness, preferences, and goals for the exercise program.

Choice D reason: Reassuring the client that they will be able to do the exercise program is a supportive intervention, but not the best one. The client may not feel reassured if the exercise program is too challenging, unrealistic, or unappealing for them. The nurse should also monitor the client's progress, feedback, and outcomes of the exercise program.