A patient reports that he has been having “indigestion” for the last few hours. Upon further review, the nurse suspects the patient is having chest pain. Cardiac biomarkers and a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) are done. What finding is most significant in diagnosing an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) within the first 3 hours?

Choice A reason: Nonmaleficence ensures no harm but is secondary to veracity, which provides truthful information for consent. Truthfulness is critical, making this incorrect, as it’s not the primary ethical principle the nurse prioritizes when soliciting informed consent from a patient.

Choice B reason: Fidelity involves keeping promises but doesn’t directly ensure the patient receives accurate information for consent. Veracity is key, making this incorrect, as it’s less relevant than the nurse’s focus on truthfulness during the informed consent process.

Choice C reason: Beneficence promotes well-being but is less critical than veracity, which ensures informed decision-making. Truthful disclosure is primary, making this incorrect, as it’s secondary to the nurse’s ethical priority when obtaining informed consent from the patient.

Choice D reason: Veracity, or truthfulness, is the most important principle, ensuring the patient receives accurate information for informed consent. This aligns with ethical standards, making it the correct principle the nurse prioritizes to support autonomous decision-making during the consent process.

Choice A reason: Providing breaths follows compressions in ACLS after defibrillation for pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Resuming compressions is immediate, making this incorrect, as it delays the nurse’s priority to restore circulation post-shock in the client’s code situation.

Choice B reason: Assessing the pulse occurs after 2 minutes of compressions, not immediately post-defibrillation. Resuming compressions is the priority, making this incorrect, as it’s premature compared to the nurse’s focus on continuing CPR in pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

Choice C reason: Resuming chest compressions immediately after defibrillation maintains circulation in pulseless ventricular tachycardia per ACLS guidelines. This aligns with code management, making it the correct next step for the nurse to perform to optimize the client’s resuscitation efforts.

Choice D reason: Epinephrine is given after the second shock or per protocol, not immediately post-defibrillation. Compressions are the priority, making this incorrect, as it’s not the next step in the nurse’s ACLS sequence for managing the client’s arrhythmia.