Question

Mr. Nathaniel is a 46 year-old man who has developed symptoms of acute pericarditis secondary to

viral infection. Diagnosis was based on characteristic sign of a friction rub and pain over the

pericardium. (24 points)

1. The patient is experiencing pericardial pain. To alleviate this discomfort, what position could the

nurse assist the patient with maintaining?

2. When planning Mr. Nathaniel’s care, what should the nurse understand are the objectives of

pericarditis management?

3. The nurse is auscultating Mr. Nathaniel’s chest for a pericardial friction rub. Where will the nurse

auscultate in order to locate the rub?

Answer 1

1.Pericardial pain in simple refers to the pain felt in the pericardial layers due to friction or pressure .In these case make the patient to sit and lean forward .As a result the pressure exerted on theparietal pericardium is reduced and decreasing the pain

2.The objectives of pericarditis management are

• To administer medication as per order because cholchicine ,aspirin and NSAID are considered to be the most baseline treatment on this condition
• Monitoring the patient for any infection and following strict infection control practice
• To prevent reoccurance
• Pain management

3.The nurse should auscultate at the apex of the heart or the exact sound can be heard at the lower sternal edge on left side making the patient to sit and lean forward .A rasping sounds can be heard .