A patient is being discharged after an MI and will be undergoing ...

[Chloeellawright]

A patient is being discharged after an MI and will be undergoing rehabilitation for 2 weeks.
 
  The nurse is planning a teaching session on long-term pharmacologic agents and should include discussion of which of the following drugs in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
  a. Beta blockers
  b. Low-dose vitamin E daily
  c. Low-dose aspirin (81 to 162 mg/day)
  d. ACE inhibitors
  e. Moderate doses of acetaminophen (650 mg/day)

Question 2

A patient who comes to the emergency department is anxious, short of breath, diaphoretic, and has a history of heart disease.
 
  The patient states that the doctor instructed him to chew an aspirin on the way to the emergency department. The nurse understands that the rationale for this instruction is that aspirin
  a. suppresses platelet aggregation, producing an immediate antithrombotic effect.
  b. acts as an immediate analgesic.
  c. augments the effects of morphine.
  d. has vasodilatory properties that can improve perfusion of the heart.

[alexanderhamilton]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A, C, D
Treatment with beta blockers should continue at least 2 to 3 years and perhaps longer. Beta blockers have been found to reduce recurrent ischemia and reinfarction. Prolonged therapy with aspirin (81 to 162 mg/day) reduces the risk of reinfarction, stroke, and death. ACE inhibitor therapy should continue for 6 weeks in all patients with STEMI, barring contraindication, and indefinitely in patients with LV dysfunction.
Low-dose vitamin E and acetaminophen are not indicated in patients with STEMI.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Aspirin suppresses platelet aggregation and produces an immediate antithrombotic effect, which is necessary for a patient who may be experiencing a myocardial infarction (MI). Although the patient is not experiencing chest pain, other, associated symptoms, as well as the history, could lead to suspicion of MI.
Aspirin does have analgesic properties. However, the question asks about the action of aspirin regarding the anginal equivalent (shortness of breath) and cardiac history. Aspirin is not going to decrease the shortness of breath but rather will assist with the antithrombotic effect.
Aspirin does not potentiate the effects of morphine. In addition, the patient has not received any morphine.
Aspirin has no vasodilatory properties.

[Chloeellawright]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[alexanderhamilton]

Great! Please up vote