Final answer:
The nurse would monitor for several clinical manifestations when assessing an 82-year-old client for a potential myocardial infarction (MI), including severe chest pain and pressure, radiating pain down the left arm, profuse sweating and nausea, and fatigue and weakness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse would monitor for several clinical manifestations when assessing an 82-year-old client for a potential myocardial infarction (MI). The manifestations include:
- Severe chest pain and pressure: This is a common symptom of an MI and is often described as a squeezing or burning sensation in the chest.
- Radiating pain down the left arm: This symptom is more common in male patients, but not exclusive to them. It can also manifest as pain in the neck, jaw, back, or stomach.
- Profuse sweating and nausea: Sweating and feeling nauseous can accompany an MI due to the stress on the body.
- Fatigue and weakness: Some patients may experience fatigue and weakness as a result of the decreased oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
These clinical manifestations are important indicators for the nurse to assess and monitor in order to quickly diagnose and treat a potential myocardial infarction.