NCLEX Review & Nursing School

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

– death of myocardial muscle cells.
– there is lack of oxygen from inadequate perfusion.

CAUSES:

• ATHEROSCLEROSIS
• INADEQUATE PERFUSION TO MEET METABOLIC DEMANDS
• EMBOLISM OR THROMBUS
• CORONARY ARTERY SPASM

ASSESMENT:

• CRUSHING, BURNING, TIGHTNESS OR SQUEEZING SUBSTERNAL PAIN
• LASTS THE LONGER THAN ANGINAL PAIN, USUALLY LONGER THAN 30 MINS.
• *IS UNRELIEVED BY REST OR NITROGLYCERIN

DIAGNOSTIC TEST RESULTS:

• ECG WOULD SHOW AN ENLARGED Q WAVE, AN ELEVATED OR DEPRESSED ST SEGMENT, AND T WAVE INVERSION.

Drug Therapy for Myocardial Infarction:

• ANALGESIC: MORPHINE I.V
• ACE INHIBITORS: CATOPRIL (CATOPEN), ENALAPRIL (VASOTEC)
• ANTICOAGULANTS: ASPIRIN
• ANTIHYPERTENSIVE: HYDRALAZINE
• CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKER: NIFEDIPINE (PROCARDIA)