List seven laboratory or diagnostic tests you would expect to be performed; suggest what each might contribute

And what other sources, in addition to cardiac ischemia, might be responsible for her chest and abdominal discomfort?


• Twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG): To determine whether R.K. has had a prior MI, whether she
is showing ischemic changes and in what part of her heart, and whether she is having irregular
rhythms. (ECG is not an exclusive test for MI.)
• Chest x-ray (CXR): To see whether the heart (cardiac silhouette) is enlarged or whether there might
be any visible structural problems or defects that are contributing to her symptoms. Check for
pulmonary edema.
• Oxygen saturation: To determine whether her symptoms might be related to a respiratory disorder
or whether her heart is able to adequately pump blood through her lungs.
• Cardiac enzymes: Creatine phosphokinase with isoenzymes if elevated and troponin T or I to
determine whether she has had an MI.
• Complete blood count (CBC) with differential: To check for anemia or infection.
• D-dimer test to rule out pulmonary embolus.
• Metabolic or chemistry panel, or acute care panel, including serum lipid panel urinalysis (UA).
• Prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT):
To examine for basic coagulation disorders.

Gastrointestinal: indigestion, gastritis, hiatal hernia, reflux esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD), gallbladder disease, esophageal spasm, peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
Respiratory: pleurisy, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, pneumothorax
Cardiac: vasospastic angina, mitral valve prolapse (MVP), severe aortic stenosis, cardiac dysrhythmia,
pericarditis
Musculoskeletal: rib fracture, costochondritis, respiratory muscle strain, vertebral fractures or
compression resulting in nerve impingement
Metabolic: anemia, carbon monoxide toxicity
Psychosocial: anxiety or stress, panic attack

Nursing

You might also like to view...

The nurse is performing an abdominal assessment. After percussing the abdomen, the nurse notes that the liver span is approximately 11 centimeters. How will the nurse document this finding in the medical record?

1. Hepatomegaly. 2. A normal finding. 3. Related to recent diagnosis of chronic bronchitis. 4. Presence of ascites.

Nursing

The medical residents on a particular unit do not answer pages very quickly, and sometimes do not answer them at all. The nursing staff complains to the nursing supervisor

After several weeks, this conflict has spiraled into a heated disagreement. Which is the most important reason to make the necessary changes to settle this conflict? 1. Client care and satisfaction will suffer should it be allowed to continue. 2. The residents cannot be allowed to continue such unprofessional behavior. 3. Residents who do not answer pages do not get the most out of the experience. 4. Physicians do not know what is going on with clients if the residents do not tell them.

Nursing

A nurse assesses a resident in a long-term care facility with the "get up and go" technique. What should this involve observing the resident do?

a. Walk carefully through a cluttered area without incident. b. Rise from the bed, and go to the bath-room. c. Sit and rise from an armless chair. d. Ambulate in a straight line for 1 foot.

Nursing

For minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), prednisone is effective when what occurs?

a. Appetite increases and blood pressure is normal b. Urinary tract infection is gone and edema subsides c. Generalized edema subsides and blood pressure is normal d. Diuresis occurs as urinary protein excretion diminishes

Nursing