An older adult male who paints houses for a living has had a myocardial infarction (MI). Which intervention should the nurse implement to prevent adverse health effects from his occupational history?

Question

a. Provide low-cholesterol diet meals.
b. Avoid substances that are hepatotoxic.
c. Promote coughing and deep breathing.
d. Analyze the electrocardiogram's rhythm.

Answer 1

C

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A Incorrect. Hypercholesterolemia is a common comorbidity with coronary artery disease; if his total cholesterol is greater than 200 mg/dl, the nurse should pro-vide a low-cholesterol diet.
B Incorrect. Inhalation of paint vapor over a long period has adverse effects pri-marily on the lungs. However, some hepatotoxic substances are used in health care, such as immunosuppressants and aminoglycoside antibiotics, and must be given to this individual with caution.
C Correct. The nurse implements coughing and deep breathing because he has a history of exposure to environmental toxins from the paint vapor. Therefore, to promote oxygenation and ventilation and to prevent atelectasis and pneumonia, the nurse instructs him to cough and deep breathe at regular intervals.
D Incorrect. Because he had a MI, the nurse monitors the heart's rhythm closely to detect ventricular dysrhythmias, tachycardia, and other potentially harmful rhythms, but this is unlikely to be directly related to his occupational history.