Final answer:
A 65-year-old woman presenting with shortness of breath, diaphoresis, dizziness, jaw pain, and mild chest pain is likely experiencing a myocardial infarction (option 2). Differential diagnosis is important due to symptom overlap with other conditions, but the combination of symptoms strongly suggests an acute cardiac event. Myocardial infarction is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis from the options provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 65-year-old woman presenting with symptoms of shortness of breath, diaphoresis, dizziness, jaw pain, and mild chest pain could be experiencing a myocardial infarction (MI) (option 2), also known as a heart attack. These symptoms, especially when coupled with nausea, fatigue, and anxiety, can be indicative of an acute MI. Women may experience different symptoms than men during an MI, such as jaw pain instead of the classic radiating arm pain.
Differential diagnosis is crucial as some symptoms overlap with other conditions like anxiety attacks and pulmonary embolism. However, given the specific combination of symptoms—shortness of breath, diaphoresis, and chest pain—the most appropriate nursing diagnosis from the list provided would be myocardial infarction.
Angina, which is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, can also present with similar symptoms. However, angina pains are typically triggered by exertion and relieved by rest, which does not seem to be the case here based on the information provided. Pulmonary embolism is another possible condition but would require further investigation such as imaging to confirm.
Anxiety could also be a nursing diagnosis, yet the physical symptoms such as dizziness and diaphoresis suggest a more acute cardiac condition. A comprehensive evaluation and diagnostics such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests for cardiac enzymes would be beneficial to confirm the presence of a myocardial infarction and proceed with the appropriate treatment.