A client with a left ventricular myocardial infarction is at risk for which complication that the nurse should suspect based on chart data?

A client with a left ventricular myocardial infarction is at risk for which complication that the nurse should suspect based on chart data?

• A. Arrhythmia
• B. Cardiogenic shock
• C. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
• D. Pulmonary embolism

Answer: (B)

When the left ventricle sustains an infarct, its pumping ability drops, so forward flow to the body falls. This reduced cardiac output leads to tissue hypoperfusion, which can progress to cardiogenic shock. Chart data showing hypotension, cool clammy skin, decreased urine output, and possible mental status changes are classic signs of this pump-failure complication after a large LV MI. Arrhythmia can occur after MI, but unless the data specifically show an unstable rhythm, it doesn’t explain the persistent poor perfusion. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is unlikely in the acute LV MI setting, where systolic function is typically compromised (reduced EF). Pulmonary embolism presents with acute dyspnea and hypoxemia rather than the perfusion pattern seen with cardiogenic shock.

When the left ventricle sustains an infarct, its pumping ability drops, so forward flow to the body falls. This reduced cardiac output leads to tissue hypoperfusion, which can progress to cardiogenic shock. Chart data showing hypotension, cool clammy skin, decreased urine output, and possible mental status changes are classic signs of this pump-failure complication after a large LV MI. Arrhythmia can occur after MI, but unless the data specifically show an unstable rhythm, it doesn’t explain the persistent poor perfusion. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is unlikely in the acute LV MI setting, where systolic function is typically compromised (reduced EF). Pulmonary embolism presents with acute dyspnea and hypoxemia rather than the perfusion pattern seen with cardiogenic shock.