Carl Shapiro is a 54-year-old male who travels frequently. He was seen in the Emergency Department at 1:30 p.m. for complaints of chest pain, diaphoresis, and shortness of breath. He was treated in the Emergency Department with aspirin and two doses of sublingual nitroglycerin. Chest pain improved with nitroglycerin administration. IV infusion of normal saline was started in the Emergency Department and is running at 25 mL/hour. Ordered lab values are pending. Provider wants to be called as soon as the labs are available. Patient is receiving oxygen at 4 L/min with SpO2 values at 97%. Chest pain was last rated as a “0” following second nitroglycerin dose and nitroglycerine patch 0.4 mg. He has been admitted to the Telemetry Unit.

1. What are you on alert for today with this patient?
2. Why is this important?
3. What are the important assessments to make?
4. Why are these assessments important
5. What complications may occur?
6. What could go wrong
7. Relate the assessment data to the potential      complications that may occur.
8. What interventions will prevent complications?
9. How will the interventions prevent      complications?