Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients With Coronary Vascular Disorders Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients With Coronary Vascular Disorders related questions and content

The nurse is working with a patient who had an MI and is now active in rehabilitation. The nurse should teach this patient to cease activity if which of the following occurs?

  • A. The patient experiences chest pain, palpitations, or dyspnea
  • B. The patient experiences a noticeable increase in heart rate during activity
  • C. The patients oxygen saturation level drops below 96%
  • D. The patients respiratory rate exceeds 30 breaths/min
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Any activity or exercise that causes dyspnea and chest pain should be stopped in the patient with CAD. Heart rate must not exceed the target rate, but an increase above resting rate is expected and is therapeutic. In most patients, a respiratory rate that exceeds 30 breaths/min is not problematic. Similarly, oxygen saturation slightly below 96% does not necessitate cessation of activity.