A 65-year-old female is experiencing severe shortness of breath and chest pain after climbing a flight of stairs. She appears very distressed and insists on going to the hospital immediately. The patient is sitting on her living room couch, and your stretcher is outside by the ambulance. You are trying to manage her anxiety and stabilize her condition to avoid a potential cardiac arrest. Which of the following would not be appropriate care in this situation?
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BAssist the patient with taking an aspirin if not allergic and no contraindications
CHold the patient's hand or touch her shoulder if it calms her
DAsk the patient to walk to the stretcher
✓ Correct answer: D. Ask the patient to walk to the stretcherAnswer: Ask the patient to walk to the stretcher In a patient with severe shortness of breath and chest pain, exerting any further effort could lead to worsening of her condition or even cardiac arrest. The stretcher should be brought to the patient, or she should be carefully carried to it. Keeping her calm and minimizing physical exertion is crucial. Instead, place the patient in a comfortable position and assist her with taking aspirin if appropriate. Physical reassurance like holding her hand or touching her shoulder can also help make her feel more relaxed if she permits it.
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