A patient with ST-segment elevation in three contiguous ...

[123654777]

A patient with ST-segment elevation in three contiguous electrocardiographi c (ECG) leads is admitted to the emergency department (ED) and diagnosed as having an ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
 
  Which question should the nurse ask to determine whether the patient is a candidate for thrombolytic therapy?
  a. Do you have any allergies?
  b. Do you take aspirin on a daily basis?
  c. What time did your chest pain begin?
  d. Can you rate your chest pain using a 0 to 10 scale?

Question 2

When titrating IV nitroglycerin (Tridil) for a patient with a myocardial infarction (MI), which action will the nurse take to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication?
 
  a. Monitor heart rate.
  b. Ask about chest pain.
  c. Check blood pressure.
  d. Observe for dysrhythmias.

[Kaytorgator]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Thrombolytic therapy should be started within 6 hours of the onset of the myocardial infarction (MI), so the time at which the chest pain started is a major determinant of the appropriateness of this treatment. The other information will also be needed, but it will not be a factor in the decision about thrombolytic therapy.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The goal of IV nitroglycerin administration in MI is relief of chest pain by improving the balance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand. The nurse also will monitor heart rate and blood pressure (BP) and observe for dysrhythmias, but these parameters will not indicate whether the medication is effective.

[123654777]

Correct answers!

[Kaytorgator]

Great! Please up vote