The type of test that is used in order to pinpoint if the person is suffering from pericarditis is to do a cardiac CT. This will be effective in checking the thickness of the pericardium. There are also other tests that are needed to determine the severity of the thickening of the pericardium. A nurse should first provide the needed treatments to manage pain.
The key is to make the patient more comfortable so that the other treatments can be administered. Once pain management is resolved which is letter A, the nurse should do letter D as this position is known to be more comfortable for those who are suffering from this disease. Giving oxygen may also be a requirement if the patient cannot breathe. Lastly, letter B can be done.
Pain management-2. oxygen-3. tripod or orthopneic positioning-inflammation of the pericardiummany causesnursing diagnosis: paincharacteristics of heart pain (angina)treated with sitting up and resting hand on a table (tripod)give oxygen potential complicationspericardial effusion ct scan may help diagnose large effusioncardiac tamponade fluid that increases the pressure around the heart. (emergency situation). give oxygen, relieve pain. pain may increase on inspiration.pulse perdoxis decrease by 10mm/hg in the systolic bp with inspiration