Assessment and management of the client experiencing myocardial ischaemia.
The management of myocardial ischemia requires prompt assessment and intervention. Nursing assessment should be systematic, with every possible clue being integrated to help form a diagnostic picture. Assessment includes not only pain assessment but also assessment of psychological status and physiological response. An understanding is required of normal coronary flow and myocardial perfusion in order to then intervene in a therapeutic manner. Management should be focused on pain relief, diminution of anxiety and strategies to redress myocardial oxygen demand/supply imbalance. This article discusses a systematic framework to facilitate prompt and effective assessment and management of a client experiencing myocardial ischaemia. It builds on the description of the neurological pathways of cardiac pain provided in Part 1, Beetson, R. Pain in the client experiencing myocardial ischaemia-Nursing assessment and management. Part 1-Neurophysiology and clinical manifestations of myocardial ischaemia pain.
Beetson
R
R
D003326:Coronary Circulation; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010147:Pain Measurement