Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient with pericarditis?

Monitoring vital signs frequently is an essential nursing intervention for a patient with pericarditis. This condition, characterized by inflammation of the pericardium, can affect the heart's function and lead to complications such as cardiac tamponade, which is a build-up of fluid in the pericardial space that can compress the heart. By closely monitoring vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, healthcare providers can detect changes that may indicate worsening of the patient's condition, allowing for prompt intervention if necessary.

This vigilance helps in assessing the patient's overall status and response to treatment, ensuring that any signs of distress or complications are addressed swiftly. The frequency of monitoring can also facilitate the evaluation of the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions already in place.

While other options may have their places in broader aspects of patient care, they do not directly address the immediate needs and potential complications associated with pericarditis as monitoring vital signs does.