The nurse is working on a busy medical-surgical unit and is responding to the client call lights. Which statement would be the priority to assess first?

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Celecoxib (Celebrex), a COX-2 inhibitor, has a black box warning for increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Myocardial infarction symptoms, which can be vague in female clients, include nausea and upper back and shoulder pain. These symptoms would be the priority to assess first, and immediate testing (ie, ECG, cardiac enzymes) would be warranted. (Option B) This client's nutritional status is concerning and needs to be addressed but would not be a priority over a client experiencing a possible acute myocardial infarction. (Option C) This client needs cleaning as soon as possible to prevent fecal matter from entering into wounds. Cleaning the client can be delegated to a licensed practical nurse or unlicensed assistive personnel and would not be a priority over a client experiencing a possible acute myocardial infarction. The registered nurse can assess the wounds and dressings later. (Option D) This client's nausea and pain medication need to be addressed; they would not be a priority over a client experiencing a possible acute myocardial infarction. Educational objective: COX-2 inhibitors (eg, celecoxib) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, ibuprofen) are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. Myocardial infarction in an elderly woman can present with atypical symptoms (eg, shoulder pain, nausea).

The Nurse Is Working on a Busy Medical-Surgical Unit and Is