Which nursing intervention is highest priority for the client who has suffered an acute anterior wall mycordial infarction?
Maintaining strict bedrest for first 24 hours
Measuring urine output hourly and performing daily weighs
Keeping the environment quiet to decrease cardiac workload
Reducing oxygen demand and providing pain control
The Correct Answer is D
A) Maintaining strict bedrest for first 24 hours:
While bedrest is often recommended in the early stages following a myocardial infarction (MI), the priority nursing intervention is to reduce oxygen demand on the heart, which can be achieved through pain management and controlling the workload on the heart, rather than solely relying on bedrest. Bedrest alone may not address the underlying physiological needs of the heart, such as reducing ischemia or controlling pain.
B) Measuring urine output hourly and performing daily weights:
Monitoring urine output and performing daily weights are important in managing fluid balance, especially for those with heart failure or volume overload. However, in the acute phase of an anterior wall myocardial infarction, the priority intervention is addressing the oxygen demand on the heart and providing pain relief, which is more immediate in stabilizing the client and reducing myocardial injury.
C) Keeping the environment quiet to decrease cardiac workload:
While creating a calm and quiet environment helps in reducing stress and decreasing cardiac workload, it is still secondary to actively managing the oxygen demand of the heart. Decreasing the workload of the heart is essential, but this is done more effectively through interventions such as pain management, oxygen therapy, and medications that reduce myocardial oxygen demand (e.g., nitroglycerin, beta-blockers).
D) Reducing oxygen demand and providing pain control:
This is the highest priority intervention for a client who has suffered an acute anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI). Pain from an MI increases the heart's oxygen demand and can exacerbate ischemia. Pain relief, often with morphine, not only reduces pain but also helps in vasodilation, reducing the heart's workload. Additionally, oxygen therapy should be given to ensure adequate oxygenation, and medications like beta-blockers, nitroglycerin, and ACE inhibitors are used to reduce the workload of the heart.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Ondansetron and Metoclopramide:
Ondansetron is an antiemetic used to prevent nausea and vomiting, and Metoclopramide is a medication that promotes gastric emptying and is often used to treat nausea and gastroesophageal reflux. Neither of these medications are typically associated with ototoxicity. Ototoxicity is more commonly seen with medications that affect the inner ear or auditory pathways, particularly those that are used in high doses or over extended periods.
B) Aspirin and ibuprofen:
Both aspirin (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, NSAID) and ibuprofen are associated with ototoxicity, especially when used in high doses or over prolonged periods. Ototoxicity from NSAIDs can result in symptoms such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or even hearing loss. This occurs due to their impact on the cochlea and auditory nerve.
C) Metoprolol and Furosemide:
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker used for managing hypertension, heart failure, and other cardiovascular conditions, and Furosemide is a diuretic often used to treat conditions such as heart failure and edema. Neither of these drugs is typically associated with ototoxicity. However, high doses of furosemide, particularly when given rapidly or intravenously, may be associated with transient hearing loss.
D) Pantoprazole and Docusate Sodium:
Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux and ulcers. Docusate sodium is a stool softener used to treat constipation. Neither of these medications is known to cause ototoxicity. These drugs generally do not affect hearing or the auditory system.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Prepare for a STAT computed tomography (CT) scan:
A severe headache in a client with a suspected stroke could be indicative of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), a hemorrhagic stroke, or another serious complication like cerebral edema. The priority intervention is to perform a CT scan to determine whether the stroke is ischemic (caused by a blockage) or hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding). This is crucial because the treatment approach for these two types of strokes differs significantly. For example, hemorrhagic strokes require immediate management to control bleeding and reduce ICP, whereas ischemic strokes may be treated with thrombolytics or other interventions. Therefore, preparing for a CT scan is the most urgent action to accurately diagnose the type of stroke and guide treatment decisions.
B) Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG):
While an ECG may be useful in assessing the cardiac rhythm and identifying potential arrhythmias (which can contribute to stroke risk), it is not the priority intervention in a patient with a suspected stroke and severe headache. The primary concern is to identify the type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), and a CT scan is the most direct way to do this. A 12-lead ECG can be obtained later if cardiac issues are suspected after stroke diagnosis.
C) Start an intravenous infusion of D5W at 100 mL/hr:
Starting an IV infusion of D5W (5% dextrose in water) is not an appropriate priority for a patient with a severe headache and suspected stroke. In fact, administering dextrose solutions may worsen the patient's condition in the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, as it could exacerbate cerebral edema or increase intracranial pressure. Fluid management in stroke patients should be approached cautiously, and IV fluids should be tailored to the patient's specific needs. The focus should be on imaging to determine the type of stroke before initiating interventions like IV fluids.
D) Administer a nonnarcotic analgesic:
While pain relief is important, administering a nonnarcotic analgesic (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) is not the priority in this situation. The patient's severe headache could be a sign of a serious complication like increased ICP or hemorrhagic stroke, which requires immediate diagnostic workup, not just pain management. Administering pain medication without understanding the underlying cause of the headache could mask symptoms and delay critical treatment.
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