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A nurse is caring for a client in the critical care unit who is complaining of chest pain. Nursing assessment reveals a BP of 78/40, shortness of breath, and third-degree AV block on the heart monitor. What is the most appropriate initial action?

Provide trancutaneous pacing.
Turn the client on his side.
Reassess the blood pressure.
Consult with cardiology.

User Suvroc
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3 Answers

7 votes

Final answer:

The most appropriate initial action for a nurse caring for a patient with chest pain, low blood pressure, and cardiac rhythm abnormalities is to provide transcutaneous pacing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate initial action for a nurse caring for a client in the critical care unit with complaints of chest pain, a blood pressure of 78/40, shortness of breath, and third-degree AV block on the heart monitor would be to provide transcutaneous pacing. Transcutaneous pacing is a temporary method of pacing the heart by attaching external electrodes to the patient's chest. This initiates electrical impulses to stimulate the heart and maintain an adequate heart rate.

User Omnifarious
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8.0k points
5 votes

Final answer:

The most appropriate initial action for a nurse caring for a patient with chest pain, low blood pressure, and cardiac rhythm abnormalities is to provide transcutaneous pacing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate initial action for a nurse caring for a client in the critical care unit with complaints of chest pain, a blood pressure of 78/40, shortness of breath, and third-degree AV block on the heart monitor would be to provide transcutaneous pacing. Transcutaneous pacing is a temporary method of pacing the heart by attaching external electrodes to the patient's chest. This initiates electrical impulses to stimulate the heart and maintain an adequate heart rate.

User Kathrin
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9.0k points
4 votes

Final answer:

The most appropriate initial action for a nurse caring for a patient with chest pain, low blood pressure, and cardiac rhythm abnormalities is to provide transcutaneous pacing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate initial action for a nurse caring for a client in the critical care unit with complaints of chest pain, a blood pressure of 78/40, shortness of breath, and third-degree AV block on the heart monitor would be to provide transcutaneous pacing. Transcutaneous pacing is a temporary method of pacing the heart by attaching external electrodes to the patient's chest. This initiates electrical impulses to stimulate the heart and maintain an adequate heart rate.

User Aaron Meier
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7.8k points