The nurse is preparing a client for an outpatient thoracentesis.
Which statement made by the client indicates a need for additional education?

Choice A rationale

Counting and recording the number of premature ventricular contractions per minute is not the immediate priority for a patient experiencing symptoms of angina and shortness of breath. While it is important to monitor the patient’s heart rhythm, the immediate priority is to address the patient’s symptoms and stabilize their condition.

Choice B rationale

Applying oxygen via a nasal cannula and adjusting to maintain oxygen saturation above 93% is the immediate priority for a patient experiencing symptoms of angina and shortness of breath. Oxygen therapy can help to relieve the symptoms of angina and improve the patient’s oxygen saturation.

Choice C rationale

Ensuring troponin level assessments are scheduled every 3 to 6 hours for a series of three is important for diagnosing a heart attack, but it is not the immediate priority. The immediate priority is to address the patient’s symptoms and stabilize their condition.

Choice D rationale

Initiating dim lighting, lowering alarm volumes, and controlling traffic in and out of the room area can help to create a calm and quiet environment for the patient. However, this is not the immediate priority. The immediate priority is to address the patient’s symptoms and stabilize their condition.

Choice A rationale

Nitroglycerin is a medication that is commonly used to treat chest pain or angina. However, it is contraindicated in patients who have taken sildenafil (Viagra) within the last 24 hours due to the risk of severe hypotension, or low blood pressure. Sildenafil is a type of medication known as a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which works by relaxing the muscles in the walls of blood vessels. Nitroglycerin also works by relaxing blood vessels, so the combination of these two medications can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Choice B rationale

Aspirin is not typically withheld in patients experiencing chest pain. It is often given to patients who are suspected of having a heart attack because it works by preventing blood clots from forming and blocking the blood vessels of the heart.

Choice C rationale

Morphine is often administered to patients experiencing severe chest pain to help relieve the pain and reduce the workload of the heart. It is not typically withheld unless the patient has a known allergy or other contraindication.

Choice D rationale

Heparin is a blood thinner that is often administered to patients who are suspected of having a heart attack to prevent further blood clots from forming. It is not typically withheld unless the patient has a known allergy, other contraindication, or is at high risk of bleeding.