A patient who develops chest pain that radiates down the left arm has all of these measures prescribed. Which one should the nurse do first?
a. Administer nitroglycerin SL.
b. Repeat vital signs.
c. Apply oxygen at 2 L/min.
d. Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG).
ANS: C
Reducing ischemia to relieve chest pain is the priority, so applying oxygen would be the priority action to take. Then take vital signs, give nitroglycerin, and get an ECG.
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