For patients with a myocardial infarction, which position might the nurse recommend to promote comfort?

Recommending the sitting up position for patients with a myocardial infarction is appropriate because this position can help reduce the workload on the heart. When a patient sits upright, gravity assists in reducing venous return, thereby decreasing cardiac preload. This can alleviate symptoms of dyspnea and provide comfort, particularly if the patient is experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath.

Additionally, sitting up can facilitate easier breathing and help improve oxygenation as it allows for better lung expansion. This position is often instinctively chosen by patients in distress because it allows them to engage more muscles to assist with respiration, making it a practical recommendation in a clinical setting.

The other positions mentioned may not provide the same level of comfort or support the physiological needs of a patient experiencing a myocardial infarction. For example, lying supine may increase the workload on the heart and could exacerbate difficulties in breathing. Left lateral position could also hinder optimal respiratory function in such patients, and the Trendelenburg position is generally not recommended in this context as it can increase venous return too much and put unnecessary strain on the heart.