A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new diagnosis of angina pectoris. Which of the following information about anginal pain should the nurse include in the teaching?
Explanation & Rationale
A. The pain worsens with deep inspiration. Pain that changes with inspiration is more suggestive of pleuritic chest pain (pulmonary/pleural), not typical angina. B. The pain usually lasts more than 20 min. Typical stable angina episodes are brief (usually 1–5 minutes, rarely longer) and resolve with rest or nitroglycerin; prolonged pain (>20 min) suggests unstable angina or MI. C. Exertion and anxiety can trigger the pain. Physical exertion and emotional stress increase myocardial oxygen demand and commonly precipitate anginal pain. D. The pain persists with rest and organic nitrates. Anginal pain usually improves with rest and nitrates; pain that persists despite these measures suggests myocardial infarction or unstable angina and requires urgent evaluation.