Acute Heart Attack (STEMI)
A 58-year-old client with hypertension and a 30 pack-year smoking history arrives in the emergency department with chest pain that started 45 minutes ago while mowing the lawn.
Recognize cues
Vital signs: BP 154/92, HR 104, RR 24, SpO2 94% on room air. The client is diaphoretic and nauseated and rates the pain 9 out of 10. The 12-lead ECG shows ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF. Troponin is pending.
Which finding requires the most immediate follow-up?
Take action
The provider orders chewable aspirin, continuous cardiac monitoring, IV access, and activation of the cardiac catheterization lab.
Which two actions should the nurse take first?
Evaluate outcomes
After catheterization with stent placement the client rates the pain 0 out of 10, the ECG shows resolving ST elevation, and vital signs are BP 124/74, HR 78, SpO2 97% on room air.
Which finding best indicates the treatment is working?
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