what is the first intervention for a patient with chest pain

ATI RN

ATI RN Comprehensive Exit Exam

1. What is the initial intervention for a patient with chest pain?

A. Administer aspirin
B. Administer nitroglycerin
C. Provide pain relief
D. Prepare for surgery

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct initial intervention for a patient with chest pain is to administer aspirin. Aspirin helps reduce the risk of clot formation by inhibiting platelet aggregation, which can be beneficial in case the chest pain is due to a cardiac event. Administering nitroglycerin may follow aspirin administration to help relieve chest pain by dilating blood vessels. Providing pain relief is a general approach and may not address the underlying cause of chest pain. Preparing for surgery would not be the initial intervention for chest pain unless there are specific indications for immediate surgical intervention.

2. How should a healthcare provider monitor a patient with fluid overload?

A. Monitor daily weight
B. Check for edema
C. Monitor input and output
D. Monitor blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Monitoring daily weight is crucial in assessing fluid retention accurately in a patient with fluid overload. Changes in weight can indicate fluid accumulation or loss, providing valuable information for healthcare providers. Checking for edema (choice B) is important but may not always accurately reflect total body fluid status. Monitoring input and output (choice C) and blood pressure (choice D) are also essential aspects of patient assessment, but they may not directly reflect the extent of fluid overload as effectively as monitoring daily weight.

3. What is the most critical lab value to monitor for a patient on heparin therapy?

A. Monitor aPTT levels
B. Monitor platelet count
C. Monitor INR levels
D. Monitor sodium levels

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor aPTT levels. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) is crucial for assessing the therapeutic effectiveness of heparin, as it reflects the intrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade. Monitoring aPTT helps ensure that the patient is within the therapeutic range of heparin, minimizing the risk of bleeding complications. Platelet count (choice B) is important to assess for potential heparin-induced thrombocytopenia but is not the primary lab value to monitor during heparin therapy. INR levels (choice C) are monitored in patients on warfarin therapy, not heparin. Sodium levels (choice D) are not directly related to heparin therapy monitoring.

4. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus about managing blood glucose levels. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A. "I will monitor my blood pressure regularly."
B. "I will keep my blood glucose level between 200 and 250 mg/dL."
C. "I will take my insulin at the same time each day."
D. "I will eat three large meals each day."

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Taking insulin at the same time each day helps maintain stable blood glucose levels and prevent complications.

5. What is the best method to monitor fluid balance in a patient receiving diuretics?

A. Monitor daily weight
B. Monitor intake and output
C. Monitor blood pressure
D. Monitor edema

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The best method to monitor fluid balance in a patient receiving diuretics is to monitor daily weight. Daily weighing is a precise way to assess changes in fluid status as it reflects variations in total body water. Monitoring intake and output (choice B) is also important but may not provide as accurate a measurement as daily weight. Monitoring blood pressure (choice C) is essential but does not directly measure fluid balance. Monitoring edema (choice D) is helpful to assess fluid status visually but may not be as sensitive as daily weight measurements in detecting subtle changes in fluid balance.