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

Question

A) The client will experience relief of chest pain with therapeutic lifestyle changes.
B) The client will experience relief of chest pain with aspirin therapy.
C) The client will experience relief of chest pain with nitrate therapy.
D) The client will experience relief of chest pain with anticoagulant therapy.

Answer 1

Answer: C

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 client 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.