A patient recovering from a myocardial infarction (MI) develops cheat pain on day 3 that increases when taking a deep breath, lying flat, and is relieved by leaning forward. Which additional assessment data should the nurse collect next?
Auscultate for a pericardial friction rub
Inspect the skin for petechia
Palpate the radial pulses bilaterally
Assess for abdominal pain
The Correct Answer is A
A. Auscultate for a pericardial friction rub: These symptoms are classic for pericarditis, a complication of MI. A pericardial friction rub is a key diagnostic finding.
B. Inspect the skin for petechiae: Petechiae are associated with conditions like infective endocarditis or thrombocytopenia, not pericarditis.
C. Palpate the radial pulses bilaterally: Assessing radial pulses is essential for circulation but does not directly relate to pericarditis symptoms.
D. Assess for abdominal pain: Abdominal pain is not typical of pericarditis and would not be the priority assessment.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Ventricular aneurysm. Ventricular aneurysms are a complication that typically develops weeks or months after an MI.
B. Heart failure. While heart failure is a risk following an MI, it is more of a concern in the longer term after the acute phase.
C. Pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism is not a direct complication of MI and is less common in the immediate post-MI period.
D. Dysrhythmia: Within the first 24 hours following a myocardial infarction, dysrhythmias, particularly ventricular arrhythmias, are common and can be life-threatening. This is the highest risk during the early period after MI.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Atrial tachycardia: Atrial tachycardia is a rapid heart rhythm originating from the atria, but it does not have the characteristic "sawtooth" pattern seen in atrial flutter.
B. Ventricular fibrillation: Ventricular fibrillation is a chaotic rhythm originating from the ventricles, characterized by irregular, rapid waves with no discernible P waves or QRS complexes.
C. Atrial flutter: Atrial flutter is recognized by a "sawtooth" pattern of P waves, indicating rapid atrial depolarizations.
D. Sinus bradycardia: Sinus bradycardia is a slow but regular rhythm originating from the sinus node, with normal P waves and QRS complexes.
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