A client with angina pectoris complains of chest pain after walking up a flight of stairs. What nursing action is the priority during this angina episode?
Administer sublingual nitroglycerin.
Assist the client to lie flat in bed.
Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Provide oxygen therapy via nasal cannula.
The Correct Answer is A
A) This choice is correct. Administering sublingual nitroglycerin is the priority action during an angina episode. Nitroglycerin acts as a vasodilator and helps relax and widen blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart and reducing chest pain during an angina attack.
B) This choice is incorrect because assisting the client to lie flat in bed is not the priority during an angina episode. The client should be positioned in a comfortable position that allows them to breathe easily.
C) This choice is incorrect because obtaining an electrocardiogram (ECG) is important for assessing the client's cardiac status, but it is not the priority during an ongoing angina episode.
D) This choice is incorrect because providing oxygen therapy may be beneficial if the client is hypoxic, but it is not the priority during an angina episode. The priority is to administer nitroglycerin to relieve chest pain.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because while rest is essential during an angina episode, lying down in bed for an extended period is not necessary after administering nitroglycerin.
B) This choice is incorrect because monitoring blood pressure and heart rate every 15 minutes is not a standard nursing intervention after nitroglycerin administration. Monitoring vital signs as needed for the client's condition is appropriate.
C) This choice is incorrect because there is no need for the client to avoid drinking water or fluids after taking sublingual nitroglycerin.
D) This choice is correct. After taking sublingual nitroglycerin for chest pain relief, the client should sit or lie down and avoid sudden position changes. Nitroglycerin can cause systemic vasodilation and may lead to orthostatic hypotension, increasing the risk of dizziness or falls if the client stands up abruptly. Taking a seated or lying position reduces this risk and allows the medication to work effectively to relieve chest pain.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) This choice is correct. Clopidogrel (Plavix) is an antiplatelet medication commonly prescribed for clients with unstable angina to prevent platelet aggregation and reduce the risk of blood clot formation in coronary arteries.
B) This choice is incorrect because nitroglycerin is a vasodilator used to relieve angina symptoms, but it does not have the antiplatelet effect necessary for managing unstable angina.
C) This choice is incorrect because atorvastatin is a statin medication used to lower cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular events, but it does not have the antiplatelet effect required for managing unstable angina.
D) This choice is incorrect because metoprolol is a beta-blocker used to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, but it is not an antiplatelet agent like clopidogrel.
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