The nurse in the emergency department is assessing a 64-year-old patient experiencing substernal chest pain. The patient's electrocardiogram shows evidence of myocardial ischemia
Which statement indicates to the nurse that the patient may be a candidate for thrombolytic therapy?
A) "I have had chest pain for 2 days."
B) "My chest pain started 3 hours ago."
C) "My chest pain stops when I take a nitroglycerin pill."
D) "I have had chest pain on and off all week."
Ans: B
Feedback: Because it takes 4 to 6 hours for myocardial cells to die, thrombolytic therapy should be given within 6 hours of the onset of chest pain to achieve the best results in an acute myocardial infarction. The patient who has waited 2 days to be treated for chest pain won't benefit from thrombolytic therapy. Chest pain that's relieved by nitroglycerin is most likely due to angina and not an indication for thrombolytic therapy. Chest pain for 1 week is also beyond the 6-hour time limit.
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