The nurse is caring for a client who had an acute myocardial infarction (MI) 3 days prior and has symptoms of stabbing chest pain that increases with deep breathing. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A)Auscultate the heart sounds.
B)Check the client's oral temperature.
C)Notify the client's health care provider.
D)Give the ordered acetaminophen.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client's clinical manifestations and history are consistent with pericarditis, and the first action by the nurse should be to listen for a pericardial friction rub. Checking the temperature, giving acetaminophen, and notifying the health care provider also are appropriate actions but would not be done before listening for a rub.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Client Who Had an Acute