A nurse is reviewing the results of electrocardiography monitoring for a client who has atrial fibrillation. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

• 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. PO oxycodone: Oral medications are contraindicated in clients with paralytic ileus because of impaired gastrointestinal motility, which prevents proper absorption and increases the risk of gastric retention. IV administration is preferred for effective pain control in this scenario.

B. Ibuprofen via NG tube: NSAIDs can cause gastric irritation and increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, especially in clients with pancreatitis. Additionally, an NG tube is not an appropriate route for medication administration in the presence of an ileus due to impaired intestinal function.

C. IV hydromorphone: IV opioids provide effective and rapid pain relief for clients with severe pain, especially when oral or enteral administration is not feasible. Hydromorphone is commonly used in acute pancreatitis because it controls pain effectively without exacerbating the underlying condition.

D. Topical lidocaine patch: While lidocaine patches provide localized pain relief, they are not sufficient for managing severe visceral pain associated with pancreatitis and ileus. Systemic analgesia via IV opioids is more appropriate for controlling this level of pain.