When assessing a client with stable angina, the nurse expects which finding?
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To assess a client with stable angina, the nurse would expect to find specific findings related to this condition. Stable angina is a type of chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle doesn't get enough blood flow due to narrowed or blocked arteries. Typically, stable angina is triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress and is relieved by rest or medication.
To determine the expected findings in a client with stable angina, the nurse can follow these steps:
1. Conduct a thorough health history: The nurse should interview the client and ask questions about their chest pain, including the location, intensity, duration, and any alleviating or precipitating factors. The nurse should also inquire about the client's risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and family history.
2. Perform a physical examination: The nurse should perform a comprehensive physical examination, paying particular attention to cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Key findings indicative of stable angina include:
- Chest discomfort or pain: The client may describe a sensation of pressure, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest. The pain is typically located behind the sternum or in the left side of the chest.
- Radiating pain: The pain may spread to the left arm, shoulder, jaw, or neck. It can also be felt in the upper back or epigastric area.
- Shortness of breath: The client may experience difficulty breathing or feel breathless during episodes of angina.
- Diaphoresis: The client might have excessive sweating, particularly on the forehead.
- Pallor: The client's skin may appear pale.
- Nausea or vomiting: Some clients may experience gastrointestinal symptoms during angina episodes.
- Fatigue: The client may feel tired or have a lack of energy due to decreased blood flow to the heart.
It is important to note that the nurse should refer the client to a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis of stable angina. The findings alone are not enough to definitively confirm the condition. A healthcare provider will evaluate the client's symptoms, conduct further diagnostic tests (such as an electrocardiogram or stress test), and prescribe appropriate treatment if stable angina is suspected.