Question

The nurse is preparing to send the client to the cardiac catheterization lab for an angioplasty. Which client report is most important for the nurse to explore further prior to the start of the procedure?

a. Reports left chest wall pain prior to admission
b. Experiences facial swelling after eating crab
c. Verbalizes a fear of being in a confined space
d. Drink a glass of water in the past two hours

Answer 1

Option A. The nurse should prioritize reports of left chest wall pain prior to admission, as they could indicate serious cardiac issues like angina pectoris or an acute myocardial infarction that need immediate attention before proceeding with an angioplasty.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important client report for the nurse to explore further prior to the start of a cardiac catheterization procedure for an angioplasty is reports left chest wall pain prior to admission. This symptom can signal underlying cardiac issues such as angina pectoris or an acute myocardial infarction (MI), which may require immediate attention before proceeding with the planned intervention.

Other symptoms that often accompany acute MI include difficulty breathing (dyspnea), irregular heartbeat (palpitations), nausea and vomiting, sweating (diaphoresis), anxiety, and fainting (syncope). Given the seriousness of cardiac conditions and the need for a differential diagnosis, the nurse should prioritize exploring any reported chest pain, especially since symptoms can vary and may not always be present.