NCLEX Practice Test

What is the priority intervention for a client with angina rated as 4 on pain scale of 0-10 post percutaneous coronary intervention?

1. Administering additional analgesics

2. Ensuring the client rests

3. Notifying the healthcare provider

4. Reassessing the pedal pulses

The correct answer is: Administering additional analgesics

In the case of a client experiencing angina rated 4 out of 10 following a percutaneous coronary intervention, the priority intervention involves administering additional analgesics. Managing pain effectively is critical in this situation, as severe discomfort can indicate that the heart is not receiving sufficient oxygen, which could escalate to more serious complications, such as myocardial infarction. The focus on pain relief is particularly important in the context of post-procedural care. Angina typically signifies inadequate blood flow to the heart and administering analgesics helps to alleviate the client's pain, thus potentially reducing cardiac workload and preventing further complications. While ensuring the client rests is beneficial and important in the recovery process, it does not address the immediate need to relieve pain. Notifying the healthcare provider is crucial for overall management, but the primary concern at that moment is the client's comfort and stabilization. Similarly, reassessing pedal pulses is also an important aspect of postoperative monitoring but is not the immediate priority when the client is experiencing moderate to severe pain. Administering analgesics directly addresses the client’s pain and must be prioritized in this scenario.