what should the nurse do if a patient presents with chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome

ATI RN

ATI Capstone Medical Surgical Assessment 2 Quizlet

1. What should the healthcare provider do if a patient presents with chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome?

A. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
B. Administer aspirin
C. Obtain cardiac enzymes
D. Get IV access and auscultate heart sounds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering sublingual nitroglycerin is the priority action in the treatment of chest pain in acute coronary syndrome. Nitroglycerin helps dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart and relieving chest pain. Aspirin can also be given to reduce clot formation, but nitroglycerin takes precedence in providing immediate relief. Obtaining cardiac enzymes and assessing heart sounds are important steps in the diagnostic process but do not address the immediate need to relieve chest pain and prevent cardiac tissue damage. Therefore, administering sublingual nitroglycerin is the most appropriate initial intervention for a patient presenting with chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome.

2. What dietary changes should a patient with GERD make to manage their symptoms?

A. Avoid mint and spicy foods
B. Eat large, frequent meals
C. Consume liquids with meals
D. Eat small, frequent meals

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Avoid mint and spicy foods. Patients with GERD should avoid foods like mint and spicy dishes as they can trigger symptoms by increasing gastric acid secretion. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Eating large, frequent meals can exacerbate GERD symptoms by putting more pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, consuming liquids with meals can lead to increased reflux, and eating small, frequent meals is the recommended approach to reduce symptoms and manage GERD.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who is hyperventilating and has the following ABG results: pH 7.50, PaCO2 29 mm Hg, and HCO3- 25 mEq/L. The nurse should recognize that the client has which of the following acid-base imbalances?

A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Respiratory alkalosis. In this scenario, the client is experiencing respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation. Hyperventilation leads to excessive loss of carbon dioxide, causing a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration and an increase in pH levels. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Respiratory acidosis is characterized by high PaCO2 and low pH. Metabolic acidosis is associated with low HCO3- levels and low pH. Metabolic alkalosis is marked by high HCO3- levels and high pH. In this case, the ABG results indicate respiratory alkalosis.

4. What is the purpose of an escharotomy in burn management?

A. To relieve pressure and improve circulation in burn injuries
B. To remove necrotic tissue from a wound
C. To prevent infection in burn injuries
D. To remove excess fluid from burn wounds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: An escharotomy is performed to relieve pressure in areas affected by deep burns and improve circulation. This procedure involves making incisions through the eschar (burned and dead tissue) to release constricting tissue and allow for the return of blood flow. Choice B is incorrect because the removal of necrotic tissue is typically done through debridement, not escharotomy. Choice C is incorrect because preventing infection in burn injuries is usually achieved through proper wound care and antibiotic therapy, not escharotomy. Choice D is incorrect because removing excess fluid from burn wounds is managed through methods like fluid resuscitation and monitoring, not escharotomy.

5. What are the characteristics of a thrombotic stroke?

A. Gradual onset over minutes to hours
B. Numbness on one side of the body
C. Associated with a loss of consciousness
D. Associated with seizures and convulsions

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Thrombotic strokes typically have a gradual onset over minutes to hours as they result from a clot obstructing blood flow. Choice B, numbness on one side of the body, is more commonly associated with an ischemic stroke rather than specifically a thrombotic stroke. Choice C, loss of consciousness, is not a defining characteristic of a thrombotic stroke. Choice D, seizures and convulsions, are more commonly seen in hemorrhagic strokes rather than thrombotic strokes.