You are caring for a patient with a history of chronic angina. The patient tells you that after breakfast he usually takes a shower and shaves. It is at this time, the patient says, that he tends to experience chest pain

Question

What might you counsel the patient to do to decrease the likelihood of angina in the morning?
A) Shower in the evening and shave before breakfast.
B) Skip breakfast and eat an early lunch.
C) Take a nitro tab prior to breakfast.
D) Shower once a week and shave prior to breakfast.

Answer 1

Ans: A
Feedback:
If the nurse determines that one of the situations most likely to precipitate angina is to shower and shave after breakfast, the nurse might counsel the patient to break these activities into different times during the day. Skipping breakfast and eating an early lunch would not decrease the likelihood of angina in the morning. Taking a nitro tablet before breakfast is inappropriate because the event requiring the medication has not yet occurred. Also, suggesting that the patient shower once a week and shave prior to breakfast is an incorrect suggestion because showering and shaving can both be done every day if they are spread out over the course of the day.