A patient enters the emergency department complaining of chest pain that is radiating down the left arm. The emergent treatment plan for this patient includes which nursing actions?. Select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms are suggestive of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) and emergent treatment should focus on pain relief and reduction of clot formation. Morphine is a standard pain medication for myocardial infarction and oxygen can help reduce cardiac workload. Aspirin is a medication that inhibits platelet aggregation and can help reduce clot formation. Preparation for open heart surgery and heparin drip may be indicated for certain types of myocardial infarction, but these interventions are not appropriate for every patient. Foley catheter insertion is not indicated unless there is a specific medical reason (e.g. monitoring urine output in a patient who is receiving large volumes of intravenous fluids).

A Patient Enters the Emergency Department Complaining of Chest Pain