A patient admitted to the cardiac unit is going to the cardiac catheterization lab for a procedure. The patient tells the nurse, "I am so anxious about this. I am afraid the procedure might trigger a heart attack

Question

" What is the first action by the nurse?
a. Contact the physician for an anti-anxiety medication prior to the procedure.
b. Assure the patient that this is a very common procedure for all cardiac patients.
c. Instruct the patient prior to the procedure about what he can expect of the procedure.
d. Offer the patient some stress-reducing techniques to use before the procedure.

Answer 1

C
Because anxiety is a common response to illness, medical tests, and treatments, the nurse will use anxiety-relief interventions. In this patient scenario, instructing the patient about what to expect of the procedure will lessen anxiety and is the first and best action. Contacting the physician for an anti-anxiety medication is appropriate and many patients will receive a mild anti-anxiety medication prior to the procedure. Additionally, offering the patient some stress-reducing techniques and strategies can also be appropriate, for example, instructing him to take some deep breaths. However the first action by the nurse is to instruct the patient about the procedure.