Nursing Care for Angina Pectoris

Proper nursing care for patients with angina pectoris is vital to prevent heart damage or even death. When caring for the cardiac patient, nurses need to follow and carry out the direct orders from the patient's attending physician.

Timeframe

• As soon as the patient complains of angina pectoris, the nurse needs to immediately implement a treatment plan based on the orders of the physician. Administering medications such as nitroglycerin seconds after an anginal attack can open up the blood vessels and restore blood flow. This will give the patient welcome relief from chest pain.

Identification

• The nurses have the ability to effectively identify angina pectoris. Mistaking this type of chest pain for another less serious type, such as muscular chest pain, can have serious health consequences. Angina pain usually begins in the center or left chest area and radiates down the arm. Muscular pain rarely radiates.

Prevention/Solution

• Nursing care for the prevention of angina pectoris includes timely administration of ordered medications to help prevent anginal events. The nurse should also provide a calm environment for the patient to help prevent stress-related chest pain, anxiety and fear.