The nurse is providing care to a patient who has experienced several episodes of angina. What is the primary outcome for this patient?

Question

1. The patient will experience relief of chest pain with anticoagulant therapy.
2. The patient will experience relief of chest pain with nitrate therapy.
3. The patient will experience relief of chest pain with aspirin therapy.
4. The patient will experience relief of chest pain with therapeutic lifestyle changes.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: A primary goal in the treatment of angina is to reduce the intensity and frequency of angina episodes. Rapid-acting organic nitrates are the drugs of choice for terminating an acute angina episode. Anticoagulant therapy is used to prevent additional thrombi from forming post–myocardial infarction; it will not relieve angina pain. Therapeutic lifestyle changes are significant if the patient is to maintain a healthy heart, but they will not relieve chest pain; this is accomplished with medications. Aspirin therapy following an acute myocardial infarction dramatically reduces mortality due to its antiplatelet function; it will not relieve angina pain.