Myocardial Infarction

Question 1

What are the signs and symptoms of an MI

Answer 1

chest pain, swelling, feeling faint or sick, vomiting, SOB

Question 2

What are the causes of MI?

Answer 2

atherosclerosis,

Question 3

What is the pathophysiology of an MI?

Answer 3

there is a sudden blockage of the coronary artery by a blood clot
coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply the heart with blood and oxygen
blockage of the coronary artery deprives the heart of blood and oxygen causing injury to the heart muscle which causes chest pain and sensation of chest pressure, if blood flow is not returned in 20-40 mins irreversible death to the heart muscle will begin to occur
muscle continues to die for 6-8 hrs at which the time of the heart attack is usually ‘complete’
the dead muscle is then replaces by scar tissue

Question 4

What are some nursing interventions and rationale for MI?

Answer 4

Administer O2 as prescribed - to reduce the risk of hypoxia
Administer GTN as prescribed - to dilate the blood vessels and increased blood supply to the heart
Administer aspirin as prescribed - to prevent further Clot formation
Administer morphine as prescribed - to reduce the patients pain level and enable them to mobilise
Provide a low stimulus environment to reduce anxiety, reduce SNS response and therefore reduce the hearts workload