A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving methadone therapy as treatment for an opioid use disorder. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing the therapeutic effects of this medication?

• Tightness in chest that radiates to left arm: Classic symptom of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including myocardial infarction (MI). Cardiac pain is often described as pressure, squeezing, or tightness and may radiate to the left arm, jaw, or back.
• Pain rated 7 on a scale of 0 to 10: Severe pain is a hallmark of an MI and suggests significant myocardial ischemia. Persistent or worsening chest pain should prompt urgent intervention.
• Nausea after breakfast: Nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort can be atypical signs of an MI, particularly in individuals with diabetes. The presence of nausea alongside chest pain raises suspicion for cardiac ischemia.
• Diaphoresis and shortness of breath: Sweating and dyspnea are common autonomic responses to myocardial ischemia. The body reacts to decreased cardiac output by activating the sympathetic nervous system, which results in these symptoms.
• Heart rate irregular and tachycardic: Irregular tachycardia suggests possible arrhythmias, which can be triggered by myocardial ischemia and infarction. Life-threatening dysrhythmias are a significant complication of an MI.
• Skin is cool to touch: Cool skin indicates decreased peripheral perfusion, which may result from reduced cardiac output due to myocardial dysfunction. It is a concerning sign of potential hemodynamic instability.

• Lungs clear to auscultation in all lobes: The absence of crackles or other abnormal lung sounds suggests that pulmonary congestion is not currently present.
• Bowel sounds are present in all 4 quadrants: Normal bowel sounds do not indicate any gastrointestinal pathology.
• +1 pedal pulses: Diminished pulses may suggest peripheral vascular disease but are not directly indicative of an acute cardiac event.
• Capillary refill less than 2 seconds: Normal capillary refill indicates adequate peripheral perfusion and does not suggest an immediate concern.

A. Verify the solution with another RN prior to infusion: TPN is a high-risk therapy that requires verification by two RNs to ensure the correct formulation, preventing medication errors that could lead to severe complications.

B. Monitor serum blood glucose during infusion: TPN contains high concentrations of glucose, increasing the risk of hyperglycemia. Regular blood glucose monitoring helps detect imbalances and allows for timely intervention.

C. Increase the rate of infusion if administration is delayed: Increasing the infusion rate can lead to metabolic complications such as hyperglycemia and fluid overload. If TPN is delayed, the provider should be consulted for adjustments rather than increasing the rate independently.

D. Infuse 0.9% sodium chloride if the solution is not available: If TPN is unavailable, the correct alternative is an infusion of dextrose 10% in water (D10W) to prevent hypoglycemia, not 0.9% sodium chloride, which lacks glucose.

E. Obtain the client's weight daily: Daily weights help monitor fluid balance, nutritional status, and potential complications such as fluid retention or dehydration, ensuring proper TPN management.