The nurse is planning care for the client. Which of the following provider prescriptions should the nurse anticipate? Select All That Apply Exhibits
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale: A. Administer morphine 4 mg IV bolus: Morphine is appropriate for severe chest pain unrelieved by nitrates. It decreases preload, pain, and anxiety, reducing myocardial oxygen demand. This intervention helps improve comfort and may lower sympathetic nervous system activation during an acute MI. B. Prepare client for an exercise tolerance test: This is contraindicated during active chest pain and elevated troponin levels. Stress testing would increase cardiac workload and worsen ischemia. It is only done when a patient is stable and MI has been ruled out. C. Administer an intermittent IV fluid bolus: Fluid boluses are not indicated unless hypotension or hypovolemia is present. Extra fluid can increase cardiac workload and worsen outcomes in MI. In a normotensive patient with chest pain, it offers no benefit and may increase risk of pulmonary congestion. D. Administer nitroglycerin sublingual: Nitroglycerin is a first-line medication for ischemic chest pain. It improves blood flow by dilating coronary arteries and reducing cardiac preload. It can rapidly relieve angina and should be administered as soon as possible in acute chest pain. E. Place the client in the supine position: Supine positioning may worsen breathing difficulty and is not ideal during acute chest pain. A semi-Fowler's position is better to support oxygenation. Keeping the head elevated helps reduce venous return and cardiac workload. F. Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula: Oxygen is appropriate with labored respirations and signs of hypoxia. It improves oxygen delivery to the myocardium during ischemic events. Supplemental oxygen can help stabilize oxygen saturation while definitive interventions are underway. G. Prepare client for percutaneous coronary intervention: PCI is a key treatment for myocardial infarction and should be anticipated given the client’s chest pain, elevated troponin, and high risk profile. It restores perfusion to the affected coronary artery and reduces infarct size and mortality when performed promptly.