Final answer:
A patient’s statement indicating a misunderstanding about telemetry or the nature of their NSTEMI would suggest the need for further teaching. The nurse should clarify that telemetry is for monitoring, not treatment, and that other tests may be needed to assess the heart's pumping effectiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
To correctly answer the question, one should identify any misconceptions a patient might have about telemetry and myocardial infarction (MI) after treatment for a non-ST wave elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). A statement from the patient that suggests further teaching is necessary could include misconceptions about the limitations of ECG monitoring, misunderstandings about the differences between STEMI and NSTEMI, or incorrect beliefs about the implications of their condition and treatment.
Telemetry is used to continuously monitor a patient’s cardiac rhythms, which is particularly important after an NSTEMI to immediately detect any abnormalities that may indicate further heart issues. A patient should understand that telemetry is a monitoring tool and not a treatment, and that it does not reflect the effectiveness of the heart's pumping ability, which may require an echocardiogram or nuclear medicine imaging for assessment.
An ECG is a critical tool in diagnosing MI by showing alterations in the ST and Q components. Blood tests that show elevated levels of enzymes and proteins, such as creatine kinase MB and cardiac troponin, also indicate damage to the cardiac muscle and are used alongside ECG findings to confirm an MI.