A 48-year-old male presents to the emergency department complaining of severe substernal chest pain radiating down his left arm
He's admitted to the coronary care unit (CCU) with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). What nursing assessment activity is a priority on admission to the CCU?
A) Begin electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring.
B) Obtain information about family history of heart disease.
C) Auscultate lung fields.
D) Determine if the patient smokes.
Ans: A
Feedback: The 12-lead ECG provides information that assists in ruling out or diagnosing an acute MI. It should be obtained within 10 minutes from the time a patient reports pain or arrives in the emergency department. By monitoring serial ECG changes over time, the location, evolution, and resolution of an MI can be identified and monitored; life-threatening arrhythmias are the leading cause of death in the first hours after MI. Obtaining information about family history of heart disease and whether the patient smokes aren't immediate priorities in the acute phase of MI. Data may be obtained from family members later. Lung fields are auscultated after oxygenation and pain control needs are met.
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