A nurse is caring for a client who is exhibiting signs and symptoms characteristic of a myocardial infarction (MI). Which statement describes priorities the nurse should establish while performing the physical assessment?A. Assess the client s level of pain and administer prescribed analgesics.
B. Assess the client s level of anxiety and provide emotional support.
C. Prepare the client for pulmonary artery catheterization.
D. Ensure that the client s family is kept informed of his status.

A. Assess the client's level of pain and administer prescribed analgesics.

Explanation:

The cardinal or major symptom of myocardial infarction (MI) is persistent, crushing substernal pain or pressure. Therefore nurse should first assess the client's pain and prepare to administer anagelsics like, Nitroglycerin or Morphine for pain control. The Nurse must ensure that the client is medically stabilized before pulmonary artery catheterization can be used as a diagnostic procedure. Anxiety and a feeling of impending doom are characteristic of MI, but the priority is to stabilize the client medically. Don't forget to inform the client and his family about every step of the recovery process, this action isn't really of top priority when treating a client with a suspected MI.

A

Explanation:

Assess the client's level of pain and administer prescribed analgesics.

The l symptoms of myocardial infarction are a , crushing substernal pain to the chest, back, jaw, and other areas of the upper body that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back The nurse should first assess the client's pain and prepare to administer nitroglycerin or morphine for pain control. The client must be medically stabilized before pulmonary artery catheterization can be used as a diagnostic procedure. Anxiety and a feeling of impending doom are characteristic of MI, but the priority is to stabilize the client medically. Although the client and his family should be kept informed at every step of the recovery process, this action isn't the priority when treating a client with a suspected MI.