A nurse is teaching an older patient about the signs and symptoms ...

[melly21297]

A nurse is teaching an older patient about the signs and symptoms of a myocardial infarction. Which statement by the patient would indicate that the teaching was effective?
 
  a. The pain in my chest may last a long time.
  b. I will feel like I have an elephant sitting on the center of my chest.
  c. The chest pain will be sharp and over the center of my chest.
  d. The pain may not be severe and may not be in my chest.

Question 2

A mechanically ventilated patient with an endotracheal tube in the critical care unit is being actively weaned and is off sedation medication
 
  As he begins to wake up for the first time since his admission, he becomes increasingly agitated, pulling at his gown, kicking his feet, and grimacing. The nurse responds to the situation by
 
  a. medically treating the patient to sedate him again.
  b. putting him in restraints because his issues are behavioral.
  c. telling him to stop moving around before he extubates himself.
  d. quickly providing emotional comfort to reduce the patient's anxiety and telling him simple facts to help him understand the situation.

[milbourne11]

Answer to Question 1

D
Myocardial infarction in older adults is often associated with ST-segment depression rather than ST elevation. Sensation of chest pain may be altered and may be less intense and of shorter duration. Other atypical symptoms may include dyspnea, confusion, and failure to thrive, which results in unrecognized signs and symptoms of cardiac problems and delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Answer to Question 2

D
The need for oxygen and survival predominates over all other human needs. According to Maslow's hierarchy of human needs, lower-level, physiologic needs must be satisfied before an individual can move on to higher-level issues. Experiencing a significant physiologic stressor may completely consume all the patient's available energy and thoughts, affecting his or her ability to interact, comprehend, and respond.