Question

You are called to assist a 50-year-old cardiac history patient complaining of chest pain. On arrival, the patient rates his pain at an eight on the pain scale. His skin is cool, clammy, and diaphoretic with a SpO2 of 88 percent on room air. His respirations are at 33 per minute and shallow but clear. His heart rate is 40 beats per minute with a blood pressure of 90 systolic.

Which of the following interventions would be inappropriate at this point?

A. Intravenous access

B. High-flow oxygen therapy

C. Twelve-lead electrocardiogram analysis with continuous Lead II monitoring

D. Nitroglycerin therapy

Answer 1

The inappropriate intervention in this case would be Nitroglycerin therapy. It could further lower the heart rate and potentially worsen the patient's condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The inappropriate intervention in this case would be option D, Nitroglycerin therapy. Nitroglycerin is a medication commonly used to relieve chest pain in patients with suspected cardiac conditions such as angina or heart attack. However, in this scenario, the patient's heart rate is already dangerously low at 40 beats per minute, indicating a bradycardia. Nitroglycerin therapy could further lower the heart rate and potentially worsen the patient's condition.