Angina Nursing Care Guide

7/15/2018 Angina Pectoris (Stable Angina) Nursing Care Management: Study Guide
Angina Pectoris
By Marianne Belleza, RN - December 8, 2016
Mr. Gomez is fond of eating in fast food joints. He likes the convenience and the taste of the food
they serve. This has gone for so many years until one day, while he was walking the flight of
stairs to his apartment, he felt a sudden, crushing pain vibrating towards his neck and jaw. He sat
down immediately when he reached his room, and the pain was relieved. This episode occurred
thrice that week so he decided to visit a physician. The physician told him that he is experiencing
angina pectoris.
Contents [hide]
1 Description
2 Classification
3 Pathophysiology
4 Causes
5 Clinical Manifestations
6 Gerontologic Considerations
7 Complications
8 Assessment and Diagnostic Findings
9 Medical Management
9.1 Pharmacologic Therapy
10 Nursing Management
10.1 Nursing Assessment
10.2 Nursing Diagnosis
10.3 Nursing Care Planning and Goals
10.4 Nursing Interventions
10.5 Evaluation
10.6 Discharge and Home Care Guidelines
10.7 Documentation Guidelines
11 Practice Quiz: Angina Pectoris
12 See Also
13 Further Reading and Recommended Resources
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Description
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women of
all racial and ethnic groups.
Angina pectoris is a clinical syndrome usually characterized by episodes or paroxysms of pain

or pressure in the anterior chest.
The cause is insufficient coronary blood flow, resulting in a decreased oxygen supply when
there is increased myocardial demand for oxygen in response to physical exertion or emotional
stress.
Classi cation
There are five (5) classifications or types of angina.
Stable angina. There is predictable and consistent pain that occurs on exertion and is relieved
by rest and/or nitroglycerin.
Unstable angina. The symptoms increase in frequency and severity and may not be relieved
with rest or nitroglycerin.
Intractable or refractory angina. There is severe incapacitating chest pain.
Variant angina. There is pain at rest, with reversible ST-segment elevation and thought to be
caused by coronary artery vasospasm.
Silent ischemia. There is objective evidence of ischemia but patient reports no pain.
Pathophysiology
Angina is usually caused by atherosclerotic disease.
Almost invariably, angina is associated with a significant obstruction of at least one major
coronary artery.
Oxygen demands not met. Normally, the myocardium extracts a large amount of oxygen
from the coronary circulation to meet its continuous demands.
Increased demand. When there is an increase in demand, flow through the coronary arteries
needs to be increased.
Ischemia. When there is blockage in a coronary artery, flow cannot be increased, and
ischemia results which may lead to necrosis or myocardial infarction.
Schematic Diagram for Angina Pectoris via Scribd.
Pathophysiology of Angina Pectoris by Osmosis
Check out this awesome pathophysiology and easy to understand video by Osmosis. Let us
support them via Patreon to make more informative videos like this.
Causes
Several factors are associated with angina.
Physical exertion. This can precipitate an attack by increasing myocardial oxygen demand.
Exposure to cold. This can cause vasoconstriction and elevated blood pressure, with increased
oxygen demand.
Eating a heavy meal. A heavy meal increases the blood flow to the mesenteric area for
digestion, thereby reducing the blood supply available to the heart muscle; in a severely
compromised heart, shunting of the blood for digestion can be sufficient to induce anginal pain.
Stress. Stress causes the release of catecholamines, which increased blood pressure, heart
rate, and myocardial workload.
Clinical Manifestations
The severity of symptoms of angina is based on the magnitude of the precipitating activity and its
effect on activities of daily living.
Chest pain. The pain is often felt deep in the chest behind the sternum and may radiate to the
neck, jaw, and shoulders.
Numbness. A feeling of weakness or numbness in the arms, wrists and hands.
Shortness of breath. An increase in oxygen demand could cause shortness of breath.
Pallor. Inadequate blood supply to peripheral tissues cause pallor.
Gerontologic Considerations
Here’s what you need to know when caring for geriatric patients with angina pectoris:
The elderly person with angina may not exhibit the typical pain profile because of the
diminished responses of neurotransmitters that occur with aging.
Often, the presenting symptom in the elderly is dyspnea.
Sometimes, there are no symptoms (“silent” CAD), making recognition and diagnosis a clinical
challenge.
Elderly patients should be encouraged to recognize their chest pain–like symptom (eg,
weakness) as an indication that they should rest or take prescribed medications.
Complications
Myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction is the end result of angina pectoris if left
untreated.
Cardiac arrest. The heart pumps more and more blood to compensate the decreased oxygen
supply, and.the cardiac muscle would ultimately fail leading to cardiac arrest.
Cardiogenic shock. MI also predisposes the patient to cardiogenic shock.
Assessment and Diagnostic Findings

The diagnosis of angina pectoris is determined through:
ECG: Often normal when patient at rest or when pain-free; depression of the ST segment or T
wave inversion signifies ischemia. Dysrhythmias and heart block may also be present.
Significant Q waves are consistent with a prior MI.
24-hour ECG monitoring (Holter): Done to see whether pain episodes correlate with or
change during exercise or activity. ST depression without pain is highly indicative of ischemia.
Exercise or pharmacological stress electrocardiography: Provides more diagnostic
information, such as duration and level of activity attained before onset of angina. A markedly
positive test is indicative of severe CAD. Note: Studies have shown stress echo studies to be
more accurate in some groups than exercise stress testing alone.
Cardiac enzymes (AST, CPK, CK and CK-MB; LDH and isoenzymes LD1, LD2): Usually
within normal limits (WNL); elevation indicates myocardial damage.
Chest x-ray: Usually normal; however, infiltrates may be present, reflecting cardiac
decompensation or pulmonary complications.
Pco2, potassium, and myocardial lactate: May be elevated during anginal attack (all play a
role in myocardial ischemia and may perpetuate it).
Serum lipids (total lipids, lipoprotein electrophoresis, and isoenzymes cholesterols
[HDL, LDL, VLDL]; triglycerides; phospholipids): May be elevated (CAD risk factor).
Echocardiogram: May reveal abnormal valvular action as cause of chest pain.
Nuclear imaging studies (rest or stress scan): Thallium-201: Ischemic regions appear as
areas of decreased thallium uptake.
MUGA: Evaluates specific and general ventricle performance, regional wall motion, and ejection
fraction.
Cardiac catheterization with angiography: Definitive test for CAD in patients with known
ischemic disease with angina or incapacitating chest pain, in patients with cholesterolemia and
familial heart disease who are experiencing chest pain, and in patients with abnormal resting
ECGs. Abnormal results are present in valvular disease, altered contractility, ventricular failure,
and circulatory abnormalities. Note: Ten percent of patients with unstable angina have normal-
appearing coronary arteries.
Ergonovine (Ergotrate) injection: On occasion, may be used for patients who have angina
at rest to demonstrate hyperspastic coronary vessels. (Patients with resting angina usually
experience chest pain, ST elevation, or depression and/or pronounced rise in left ventricular
end-diastolic pressure [LVEDP], fall in systemic systolic pressure, and/or high-grade coronary
artery narrowing. Some patients may also have severe ventricular dysrhythmias.)
Medical Management
The objectives of the medical management of angina are to increase the oxygen demand of the
myocardium and to increase the oxygen supply.
Oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy is usually initiated at the onset of chest pain in an attempt
to increase the amount of oxygen delivered to the myocardium and reduce pain.
Pharmacologic Therapy
Nitroglycerin gives long term and short term reduction of myocardial oxygen consumption
through selective vasodilation within three (3) minutes.
Beta-blockers reduces myocardial oxygen consumption by blocking beta-adrenergic
stimulation of the heart.
Calcium channel blockers have negative inotropic effects.
Antiplatelet medications prevent platelet aggregation; and anticoagulants prevent thrombus
formation.
Nursing Management
The patient with angina pectoris should be managed by a cardiac nurse specifically.
Nursing Assessment
In assessing the patient with angina, the nurse may ask regarding the following:
Location of pain.
Characteristics of pain.
Health history.
Pain scale.
Onset of pain.
Cause of pain.
Measures that relieve pain.
Other symptoms that occur with pain.
Nursing Diagnosis
Based on the assessment data, major nursing diagnosis may include:
Ineffective cardiac tissue perfusion secondary to CAD as evidenced by chest pain or other
prodromal symptoms.
Death anxiety related to cardiac symptoms.
Deficient knowledge about the underlying disease and methods for avoiding complication
Noncompliance, ineffective management of therapeutic regimen related to failure to
accept necessary lifestyle changes.
Nursing Care Planning and Goals
Main Article: 4 Angina Pectoris (Coronary Artery Disease) Nursing Care Plans
Major patient goals include:
Immediate and appropriate treatment when angina occurs.

Prevention of angina.
Reduction of anxiety.
Awareness of the disease process and understanding pf the prescribed care.
Adherence to the self-care program.
Absence of complications.
Nursing Interventions
Nursing interventions for a patient with angina pectoris include:
Treating angina. The nurse should instruct the patient to stop all activities and sit or rest in
bed in a semi-Fowler’s position when they experience angina, and administer nitroglycerin
sublingually.
Reducing anxiety. Exploring implications that the diagnosis has for the patient and providing
information about the illness, its treatment, and methods of preventing its progression are
important nursing interventions.
Preventing pain. The nurse reviews the assessment findings, identifies the level of activity
that causes the patient’s pain, and plans the patient’s activities accordingly.
Decreasing oxygen demand. Balancing activity and rest is an important aspect of the
educational plan for the patient and family.
Evaluation
The expected patient outcomes are:
Reported pain is relieved promptly.

Reported decrease in anxiety.
Understood ways to avoid complications and is free pf complications.
Adhered to self-care program.
Discharge and Home Care Guidelines
The goals of education ate to reduce the frequency and severity of anginal attacks, to delay the
progress of the underlying disease if possible, and to prevent complications.
Reduce anginal attacks. Activities should be planned to minimize the occurrence of angina
episodes.
Follow-up monitoring. The patient may need reminders about follow-up monitoring, including
periodic blood laboratory testing and ECGs.
Adherence. The home care nurse may monitor the patient’s adherence to dietary restrictions
and to prescribed antianginal medications.
Documentation Guidelines
The focus of documentation in a patient with angina pectoris includes:
Nature, extent, and duration of problem.

Effect on independence and lifestyle.
Characteristics of pain, precipitators, and what relieves pain.
Pulses and BP.
Client’s fear and signs and symptoms exhibited.
Responses and actions of family/SOs.
Deviation from prescribed treatment plan and client’s reasons in own words.
Consequences of actions to date.
Plan of care.
Teaching plan.
Response to interventions, teaching, and actions performed.
Attainment or progress toward desired outcomes.
Modifications to plan of care.
Practice Quiz: Angina Pectoris
Here’s a 5-item quiz about the study guide:
 Exam Mode
In Exam Mode: All questions are shown but the results, answers, and rationales (if any) will only
be given after you’ve finished the quiz.
Start
 Practice Mode
Practice Mode: This is an interactive version of the Text Mode. All questions are given in a single
page and correct answers, rationales or explanations (if any) are immediately shown after you
have selected an answer. No time limit for this exam.
Start
 Text Mode
1. The pain of angina pectoris is produced primarily by:
A. Vasoconstriction.
B. Movement of thromboemboli.
C. Myocardial ischemia.
D. The presence of atheromas.
2. The nurse advises a patient that sublingual nitroglycerin should alleviate angina pain
within:
A. 3 to 4 minutes.
B. 10 to 15 minutes.
C. 30 minutes.
D. 60 minutes.
3. The scientific rationale supporting the administration of beta-blockers is the drug’s

ability to:
A. Block sympathetic impulses to the heart.

B. Elevate blood pressure.
C. Increase myocardial contractility.
D. Induce bradycardia.
4. Calcium channel blockers act by:
A. Decreasing SA node automaticity.

B. Increasing AV node conduction.
C. Increasing the heart rate.
D. Creating a positive inotropic effect.
5. All of the following are type of angina except for:
A. Stable angina.
B. Unstable angina.
C. Refractory angina.
D. Direct angina.
Answers and Rationale
1. Answer: C. Myocardial ischemia.
Ischemia causes lactic acid production that triggers the pain.
2. Answer: A. 3 to 4 minutes.
Nitroglycerin given sublingually alleviates angina pain within 3 minutes.
3. Answer: A. Block sympathetic impulses to the heart.
Beta-blockers reduces myocardial oxygen consumption by blocking beta-adrenergic stimulation of

the heart.
4. Answer: A. Decreasing SA node automaticity.
Calcium channel blockers decrease sinoatrial node automaticity.
5. Answer: D. Direct angina.
Direct angina is not a type of angina.
See Also
Posts related to this care plan:
Heart Failure
Antianginal Drugs
4 Angina Pectoris (Coronary Artery Disease) Nursing Care Plans
Myocardial Infarction
Cardiovascular Medications NCLEX Practice Quiz (20 Items)
Further Reading and Recommended Resources
Recommended books and reading materials:
1. Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care

2. Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems
3. Medical-Surgical Nursing: Patient-Centered Collaborative Care
4. Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination
5. Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing

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7/15/2018 Angina Pectoris (Stable Angina) Nursing Care Management: Study Guide

Angina pectoris is a clinical syndrome usually characterized by episodes or paroxysms of pain

There are five (5) classifications or types of angina.

Angina is usually caused by atherosclerotic disease.

Pathophysiology of Angina Pectoris by Osmosis

Several factors are associated with angina.

Assessment and Diagnostic Findings

Based on the assessment data, major nursing diagnosis may include:

Nursing Care Planning and Goals

Major patient goals include:

Immediate and appropriate treatment when angina occurs.

Nursing interventions for a patient with angina pectoris include:

The expected patient outcomes are:

Reported pain is relieved promptly.

Discharge and Home Care Guidelines

The focus of documentation in a patient with angina pectoris includes:

Nature, extent, and duration of problem.

Practice Quiz: Angina Pectoris

Here’s a 5-item quiz about the study guide:

Practice Quiz: Angina Pectoris

Practice Quiz: Angina Pectoris

1. The pain of angina pectoris is produced primarily by:

3. The scientific rationale supporting the administration of beta-blockers is the drug’s

A. Block sympathetic impulses to the heart.

4. Calcium channel blockers act by:

A. Decreasing SA node automaticity.

5. All of the following are type of angina except for:

Answers and Rationale

1. Answer: C. Myocardial ischemia.

Ischemia causes lactic acid production that triggers the pain.

Nitroglycerin given sublingually alleviates angina pain within 3 minutes.

3. Answer: A. Block sympathetic impulses to the heart.

Beta-blockers reduces myocardial oxygen consumption by blocking beta-adrenergic stimulation of

4. Answer: A. Decreasing SA node automaticity.

Calcium channel blockers decrease sinoatrial node automaticity.

5. Answer: D. Direct angina.

Direct angina is not a type of angina.

Posts related to this care plan:

Further Reading and Recommended Resources

Recommended books and reading materials:

1. Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care

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