The 70-year-old client with type 2 diabetes and hypertension is scheduled for ureteral stent removal in 2 hours. The preoperative protocol ECG is done in the inpatient unit, and results indicate a "possibly acute" ST segment elevation. What action is most important for the nurse to take? A)Document the test results on the preoperative checklist B)Notify the health care provider about the test results C)Place the printed ECG in the front of the chart D)Report the results to the surgical nurse to tell the surgeon

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This is a high-risk client (eg, older age, hypertension, diabetes), and the acute, new, significant finding needs further evaluation and possible intervention before undergoing the stress of surgery. In addition, clients with a long history of diabetes often have associated neuropathy and may not experience the chest pain typical of myocardial infarction (MI), known as silent MI. As a result, the nurse must ensure that the health care provider (HCP) is made aware of this client's new findings in a timely manner. (Options A, C, and D) All of these actions should also be performed. However, the most important action is for the nurse to personally notify the client's HCP in a timely manner so that appropriate treatment can be provided. Educational objective: When significant abnormal results are obtained on a presurgical client, it is the nurse's responsibility to ensure that the health care provider is notified in a timely manner.

The 70-Year-Old Client with Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension Is