A nurse is caring for a client with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The nurse is preparing medications for the client and recognizes that which medication will dilate the client’s coronary blood vessels?

Rationale:

A. Alteplase (fibrinolytics) is used to dissolve clots in coronary arteries during an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

B. IV Nitroglycerine is a vasodilator that dilates coronary blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the myocardium.

C. Metoprolol (beta blockers) are used to decrease heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand.

D. IV Heparin is used to prevent further clot formation in coronary arteries during an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

A. A sinus tachycardia is characterized by a sinus P wave at a rate of more than 100 per minute followed by a narrow QRS complex unlike in the strip depicted above.

B. The above ECG strip shows a ventricular tachycardia based on the wide QRS with a rate more than 120 bpm, AV dissociation and the fusion beats.

C. A complete heart block is characterized by QRS complexes being conducted at their own rates and totally independent of the P wave.

D. An idioventricular rhythm is characterized by a slow regular ventricular rhythm with a rate less than 50 bpm unlike in the above strip. It also has a prolonged QRS interval with no P wave.