Which immediate intervention is critical for a client experiencing severe chest pain suggesting an MI?

Administering nitrates is a critical immediate intervention for a client experiencing severe chest pain that suggests a myocardial infarction (MI). Nitrates work by dilating blood vessels, which reduces the workload on the heart and improves blood flow to the myocardial tissue. This can provide symptomatic relief from chest pain, especially if the pain is due to ischemia. The rapid action of nitrates helps to alleviate the intense pain associated with an MI and can improve the oxygen supply to the heart muscle, thus potentially limiting damage during the acute phase of a heart attack.

Other interventions like ordering a chest X-ray, initiating telemonitoring, or collecting a full health history are important but are not the priority in the acute setting. A chest X-ray may help in diagnosing complications but does not directly address the immediate pain or underlying ischemia. Telemonitoring is useful for ongoing assessment but does not provide immediate relief or treatment. Collecting a full health history is also important for understanding the client’s condition but can be done after stabilizing the situation and addressing the severe chest pain. Therefore, the use of nitrates is critical in managing an acute episode of chest pain suspected to be related to an MI.