Question

A 57-year-old male client is admitted to the telemetry unit with new onset of weakness and fatigue. This rhythm is now seen on the monitor and the client is complaining of shortness of breath and mild chest discomfort. Which of the following medications would be appropriate for this client?

Answer 1

Appropriate medications for a 57-year-old male with cardiac symptoms can include beta blockers, antiarrhythmic agents, nitroglycerin, antiplatelet agents, or thrombolytics, with the final choice depending on further medical assessment and diagnostics.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a 57-year-old male patient is admitted to the telemetry unit with symptoms of weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort, and shows a new rhythm on the monitor indicative of a possible cardiac event, several medications might be appropriate depending on the specific diagnosis. It is important for the medical team to promptly assess cardiac function, possibly including the administration of stress tests or the use of imaging agents like thallium-201 as mentioned in Figure 21.12.1.

In the case of arrhythmias, beta blockers may be administered to control heart rate, and antiarrhythmic drugs could be used to stabilize the heart's rhythm. For ischemic heart disease, nitroglycerin, antiplatelet agents, or thrombolytics could be indicated to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. If the patient's symptoms are part of heart failure or cardiogenic shock, medications such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or vasopressors might be required. Each decision would be based on further assessment, including a thorough medical history and diagnostics such as blood tests, chest radiographs, and echocardiograms, to identify the underlying cause and determine the most appropriate treatment.