Final answer:
The nurse's first action for a client post-PTCA reporting severe chest pain should be to assess the client's vital signs and notify the health care provider. This step is critical before proceeding with interventions like administering oxygen or medication.
Step-by-step explanation:
A client who is post percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and reports severe chest pain requires immediate assessment to determine the cause and extent of the problem. The correct first action would be to assess the client's vital signs and notify the health care provider. This step helps the medical professionals understand the client's current state and determine the urgency and type of treatment required. Subsequently, interventions such as administering supplemental oxygen, aspirin, or sublingual nitroglycerine, which are essential for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI), might be administered based on the healthcare provider's orders.
Figures like administering thallium-201 and conducting a stress test are crucial for analyzing heart function and blood flow, but are not initial interventions for acute symptoms. Additionally, maintaining the progression of atherosclerosis is essential for treating angina and improving blood flow to the heart muscle.