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What is the primary reason for administering morphine to a client with myocardial infarction?

A. To sedate the client
B. To decrease the client's pain
C. To decrease the client's anxiety
D. To decrease oxygen demand on the client's heart

User Olivier C
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1 Answer

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Final Answer:

The primary reason for administering morphine to a client with myocardial infarction is To decrease oxygen demand on the client's heart. The correct option is D.

Step-by-step explanation:

Morphine, an opioid analgesic, is administered to clients experiencing myocardial infarction primarily to reduce the oxygen demand on the heart. In the setting of a heart attack, the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen, leading to ischemia. Pain and anxiety associated with myocardial infarction can result in increased sympathetic nervous system activity, leading to elevated heart rate and blood pressure. By alleviating pain and reducing anxiety, morphine helps decrease the workload on the heart and subsequently lowers its oxygen demand.

Moreover, morphine acts as a vasodilator, reducing preload and afterload on the heart. This vasodilatory effect decreases the resistance the heart must work against, further easing the strain on the myocardium. Additionally, morphine has a sedative effect, contributing to a reduction in the overall oxygen consumption by the heart. These combined effects make morphine a valuable medication in managing the symptoms of myocardial infarction and promoting better oxygen supply-demand balance for the heart during this critical period.

In summary, the administration of morphine in myocardial infarction serves the dual purpose of relieving pain and anxiety while concurrently reducing the heart's oxygen demand, promoting a more favorable environment for cardiac recovery. The correct option is D.

User Elyass
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