Author Question: Which information about a patient who has been receiving thrombolytic therapy for an acute ... (Read 59 times)

jerry coleman · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

Which information about a patient who has been receiving thrombolytic therapy for an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider?

a. No change in the patient's chest pain
b. An increase in troponin levels from baseline
c. A large bruise at the patient's IV insertion site
d. A decrease in ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram

Question 2

When admitting a patient with a nonST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) to the intensive care unit, which action should the nurse perform first?

a. Obtain the blood pressure.
b. Attach the cardiac monitor.
c. Assess the peripheral pulses.
d. Auscultate the breath sounds.

HandsomeMarc · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Continued chest pain suggests that the thrombolytic therapy is not effective and that other interventions such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may be needed. Bruising is a possible side effect of thrombolytic therapy, but it is not an indication that therapy should be discontinued. The decrease of the ST-segment elevation indicates that thrombolysis is occurring and perfusion is returning to the injured myocardium. An increase in troponin levels is expected with reperfusion and is related to the washout of cardiac markers into the circulation as the blocked vessel is opened.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Because dysrhythmias are the most common complication of myocardial infarction (MI), the first action should be to place the patient on a cardiac monitor. The other actions also are important and should be accomplished as quickly as possible.