Five minutes after the first NTG tablet, B.T. states that the discomfort is still there and only slightly relieved. Explain what you can expect to be doing while waiting for emergency medical system (EMS) personnel to arrive
Also what other actions will you take at this time?
• Have one nurse call 911 and request emergency transport to the nearest emergency department
(ED) while you stay with B.T.
• Have B.T. chew two low-dose (81 mg, or "baby") aspirin tablets, if available.
• Following the department protocols, while you are waiting for the medics, start 2 to 4 L of O2/NC
and establish intravenous (IV) access, in case IV medications have to be administered.
• Run a 12-lead ECG or rhythm strip to look for dysrhythmias and ischemic changes. Run a long
rhythm strip. If B.T. needs to be transported by the paramedics to the ED, it may be valuable to the
medical personnel at the hospital.
• Continue to observe B.T. carefully and monitor his vital signs, reassure him, and make him as
comfortable as possible.
• Notify B.T.'s attending physician and his wife.
Continue to monitor his vital signs, and consider checking a 12-lead ECG (if available) to look for
ischemic changes. Keep him quiet, and reassure him that you will stay with him.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is caring for a patient in traction. What nursing action would be appropriate in caring for the traction weights? (Select all that apply.)
a. Allow weights to hang freely in place. b. Hold weights up if the patient is shifting position in bed. c. Remove weights if the patient is being moved up in bed. d. Lighten weights for short periods if the patient reports pain. e. Use assistance to reposition the patient in bed.
A nurse reviews a client's laboratory results. Which results from the client's urinalysis should the nurse identify as normal? (Select all that apply.)
a. pH: 6 b. Specific gravity: 1.015 c. Protein: 1.2 mg/dL d. Glucose: negative e. Nitrate: small f. Leukocyte esterase: positive
A patient diagnosed with cancer and scheduled to begin biotherapy asks the nurse how the therapy will treat the cancer. How should the nurse respond?
1. "It changes the body processes that caused the cancer by enhancing your own immunity.". 2. "It uses radiation implanted into the cancerous organ.". 3. "It uses laser therapy to remove the cancer.". 4. "It causes the blood flow to the tumor to be interrupted.".
All of the following are considered goals of chemotherapy except
A) completely eliminating the cancer. B) reducing the size of the cancer. C) slowing the growth of the cancer. D) keeping the cancer patient comfortable.