The nurse admits a client with newly diagnosed unstable angina. Which information obtained during the admission health history is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider (HCP) immediately?

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Sildenafil (Viagra) is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction. The use of sildenafil is most important for the nurse to report to the HCP. This must be communicated immediately as concurrent use of nitrate drugs (commonly prescribed to treat unstable angina) is contraindicated as it can cause life-threatening hypotension. Before any nitrate drugs can be administered, further action is necessary to determine when sildenafil was taken last (ie, half-life is about 4 hours). (Option A) Clients do not always report the amount of alcohol they consume accurately. The nurse should monitor all clients for alcohol withdrawal syndrome as it is quite common in hospitalized clients. (Option B) Getting up 4 times during the night to void can be associated with medication, an enlarged prostate gland, or drinking fluids at bedtime. Further action may be needed to determine the cause of the nocturia, but this is not the most significant information to report to the HCP. (Option C) Smoking 1 pack of cigarettes daily needs to be addressed as tobacco causes vasoconstriction and decreased oxygen supply to the body tissues. Further action is needed regarding smoking cessation education. However, the client's tobacco history is not the most important information to report to the HCP. Educational objective: Nitrate drugs are prescribed to treat angina. The concurrent use sildenafil (Viagra) and nitrates is contraindicated as it can cause life-threatening hypotension.

The Nurse Admits a Client with Newly Diagnosed Unstable Angina