When assessing a male patient in the telemetry unit who is experiencing persistent, crushing chest pain, which symptoms would lead the nurse to suspect a myocardial infarction?

Choice A rationale
Bradycardia, palpitations, confusion, and truncal rash are not typically associated with septic shock. Septic shock is a severe infection that occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream. It can cause organs to fail and can lead to death.
Choice B rationale
Severe respiratory distress, jugular venous distention, and chest pain are more commonly associated with conditions like heart failure or pulmonary embolism, not septic shock.
Choice C rationale
Low blood pressure and tachycardia are common symptoms of septic shock. This happens because the body’s response to the infection causes blood vessels to dilate, which can lower blood pressure. The heart rate often increases (tachycardia) in an attempt to maintain blood flow to the organs.
Choice D rationale
Reduced cardiac output, increased systemic vascular resistance, and a moist cough are not typical symptoms of septic shock. These symptoms are more commonly associated with conditions like heart failure.

Choice A rationale
Encouraging exercise to increase heart rate in a patient with myocardial ischemia could potentially worsen the condition. Exercise increases the demand for oxygen in the heart, which may not be met due to the reduced blood flow in ischemia, potentially leading to further damage.
Choice B rationale
Administering a diuretic to decrease volume is not the most beneficial intervention for a patient with myocardial ischemia. While diuretics can reduce the workload of the heart by decreasing blood volume, they do not directly address the issue of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle that characterizes ischemia.
Choice C rationale
Giving an antibiotic to decrease infection is not relevant in this context. Myocardial ischemia is not caused by an infection, but by a reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle, often due to a blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries.
Choice D rationale
Applying oxygen to increase myocardial oxygen supply is the most beneficial intervention for a patient with myocardial ischemia. Oxygen therapy can help to meet the oxygen demand of the heart muscle when blood flow is reduced, alleviating symptoms and preventing further damage.