A patient is being admitted to the emergency department with intermittent chest pain. They provide a list of daily medications.
Which medication from the list has the most immediate implications for the patient’s care?
Calcium channel blocker
Phosphodiesterase 5 enzyme inhibitor
Anticoagulant
Loop diuretics
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Calcium channel blockers are primarily used to treat hypertension, angina, and certain heart arrhythmias. They work by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels. While they can affect heart rate and blood pressure, they would not typically have immediate implications for a patient presenting with intermittent chest pain.
Choice B rationale
Phosphodiesterase 5 enzyme inhibitors, such as sildenafil (Viagra), are used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. These medications can interact with nitroglycerin, a common medication used to treat chest pain, to cause a severe and life-threatening drop in blood pressure. Therefore, it’s crucial to know if a patient is taking this type of medication when they present with chest pain.
Choice C rationale
Anticoagulants are used to prevent blood clots. If a patient is taking an anticoagulant, it could affect their clotting times and could be important if the patient needs surgery or if the cause of their chest pain is a clot. However, this would not typically have immediate implications for the treatment of chest pain.
Choice D rationale
Loop diuretics are strong diuretics that are used to treat edema and hypertension. They work by preventing your body from absorbing too much salt, allowing the salt to instead be passed in your urine. While important to know for overall patient care, they would not typically have immediate implications for a patient presenting with chest pain.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Recurring chest pain can be a symptom of a serious condition such as a heart attack, which can occur if a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside the body, breaks off, and travels to the heart.
This is a potential complication of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and other vascular issues. Therefore, it’s important for the nurse to inquire about recurring chest pain in a patient with a past history of DVT and other vascular issues.
Choice B rationale
A peptic ulcer is a sore that develops on the lining of the stomach, upper small intestine, or lower esophagus. While peptic ulcers can cause discomfort and other symptoms, they are not typically associated with DVT or other vascular issues. Therefore, while it’s always important for the nurse to have a complete understanding of a patient’s health history, inquiring about a peptic ulcer may not be directly relevant to a patient with a past history of DVT and other vascular issues.
Choice C rationale
An aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in the wall of an artery. Aneurysms can occur in any artery in the body, and they can be life-threatening if they rupture or dissect (tear)3. While aneurysms can be associated with certain vascular diseases, they are not typically associated with DVT3. Therefore, while it’s important for the nurse to be aware of a patient’s complete health history, inquiring about an aneurysm may not be directly relevant to a patient with a past history of DVT.
Choice D rationale
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints. While it can cause a variety of symptoms and complications, it is not typically associated with DVT or other vascular issues. Therefore, while it’s always important for the nurse to have a complete understanding of a patient’s health history, inquiring about rheumatoid arthritis may not be directly relevant to a patient with a past history of DVT and other vascular issues.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.
Choice B rationale
Cardioverting the client with a biphasic defibrillator is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.
Choice C rationale
The first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern is to assess the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation.
Choice D rationale
Administering an amiodarone bolus followed by a drip is not the first action a nurse should take when a patient’s heart monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern.
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