Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of angina and is schedules for a stress test at 1100. Which of the following statements by the client requires the nurse to contact the provider for possible rescheduling?

a. "I'm still hungry after the bowl of cereal I ate at 7am."
b. "I didn't take my heart pills this morning because the doctor told me not to."
c. "I have had chest pain a couple of times since I saw my doctor in the office last week."
d. "I smoked a cigarette this morning to calm my nerves about having this procedure."

Answer 1

The client's report of recent episodes of chest pain suggests possible unstable angina, which requires immediate attention and may necessitate rescheduling the stress test. The correct answer is option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement by the client that requires the nurse to contact the provider for possible rescheduling is: "I have had chest pain a couple of times since I saw my doctor in the office last week." This is concerning because these recent episodes of chest pain could indicate that the client's angina is worsening or becoming unstable.

Unstable angina can occur at rest, lasts more than 15 minutes, and represents a change in the usual pattern of chest pain the client experiences. It requires immediate medical attention, and therefore, proceeding with a stress test without further evaluating these symptoms may not be safe.

Statements about hunger, medication instructions from the doctor, and smoking, while important, do not pose the same immediate risk to the client's health as the potential development of unstable angina.