Question

A patient comes to the emergency department with an active myocardial infarction. Which action by the nurse indicates secondary prevention?

a) Administering thrombolytic therapy

b) Providing pain relief medication

c) Initiating cardiac rehabilitation referral

d) Monitoring vital signs

Answer 1

Administering thrombolytic therapy is the action that indicates secondary prevention in a patient with an active myocardial infarction, aiming at dissolving clots and restoring coronary blood flow.

Step-by-step explanation:

The action by the nurse that indicates secondary prevention for a patient with an active myocardial infarction (MI) is administering thrombolytic therapy. Secondary prevention focuses on early detection of a disease and providing treatment to prevent progression; in the case of MI, this includes the use of thrombolytic agents such as streptokinase to dissolve clots and restore blood flow in the affected coronary arteries. While providing pain relief medication, initiating cardiac rehabilitation referral, and monitoring vital signs are all important aspects of the patient's care, it is the administration of thrombolytic therapy that specifically targets the underlying cause of the MI, making it secondary prevention.