Nursing Care Plan for Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Also searched as: heart attack
🎓 Educational example. Adapt to your patient and have your instructor review it. Not medical advice.
Death of heart muscle from blocked coronary blood flow. Nursing care is time-critical: relieve ischemia, monitor, and support reperfusion.
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Assessment
- Subjective: chest pain/pressure, radiation to arm/jaw, dyspnea, nausea
- Objective: ECG changes, elevated troponin, diaphoresis, arrhythmias
Nursing diagnoses
As evidenced by: chest pain, ECG changes, elevated troponin
Goals / expected outcomes
- The patient will report relief of chest pain and maintain stable cardiac rhythm and perfusion.
Nursing interventions & rationale
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Provide supplemental oxygen only if SpO2 <90%; give aspirin and nitroglycerin as ordered — hold nitroglycerin for SBP <90, suspected right-ventricular infarction, or PDE5-inhibitor use in the last 24–48h; reserve morphine for pain unrelieved by nitrates. | Routine oxygen without hypoxemia and early morphine are no longer recommended; nitrates can cause profound hypotension in RV infarction or with PDE5 inhibitors. |
| Obtain a 12-lead ECG and support time-critical reperfusion (PCI/thrombolytics). | "Time is muscle" — fast reperfusion saves myocardium. |
| Continuously monitor rhythm, vitals, and pain. | Detects life-threatening arrhythmias early. |
| Promote rest and reduce cardiac workload; provide reassurance. | Lowers oxygen demand and anxiety. |
Evaluation
- Chest pain relieved
- Stable rhythm and vitals
- Reperfusion achieved
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Build a care plan free Preview Pro (coming soon)Myocardial Infarction (MI) care plan: FAQ
What is the nursing diagnosis for Myocardial Infarction (MI)?
Common nursing diagnoses include: Acute pain related to myocardial ischemia. Choose the one your patient's assessment data supports.
What are nursing interventions for Myocardial Infarction (MI)?
Key interventions: Provide supplemental oxygen only if SpO2 <90%; give aspirin and nitroglycerin as ordered — hold nitroglycerin for SBP <90, suspected right-ventricular infarction, or PDE5-inhibitor use in the last 24–48h; reserve morphine for pain unrelieved by nitrates.; Obtain a 12-lead ECG and support time-critical reperfusion (PCI/thrombolytics).; Continuously monitor rhythm, vitals, and pain. — each paired with a rationale.
Can I use this care plan for my assignment?
Use it as a study example and starting draft. Always adapt it to your specific patient and have it reviewed by your instructor. This is an educational tool, not medical advice.
For nursing education only — NOT medical advice and not a clinical decision-making tool. Nothing here should be used to assess, diagnose, or treat any real patient. Care plans and answers are unverified study drafts to review with your instructor or a licensed clinician and adapt to the individual patient and your institution’s protocols before any use.
Last reviewed 2026-07. Educational content based on standard nursing practice; not medical advice and not affiliated with NANDA-I/NIC/NOC. Always follow your institution's protocols and your instructor's guidance.