Question

You are evaluating a 40-year-old male patient in the office who is complaining of chest

pain. His father had a myocardial infarction at age 42, and the patient is quite concerned.
Which characteristic, if included in the history, decreases the likelihood that his chest pain is
cardiac in origin?
a. The pain is worse with inspiration.
b. The pain radiates to his right arm.
c. The pain radiates to his left arm.
d. The pain is associated with nausea.
e. The pain is associated with sweatiness.

Answer 1

Chest pain that worsens with inspiration is less likely to be cardiac in origin and does not align with the typical symptoms of a myocardial infarction, such as pain radiating to the left arm or being associated with nausea or sweatiness.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing chest pain to determine if it may be cardiac-related, certain characteristics can offer clues. A history of chest pain that worsens with inspiration is less likely to be of cardiac origin, such as in the case of conditions like pleuritic pain, which is caused by inflammation of the pleura, the lining around the lungs. On the other hand, chest pain that radiates to the left arm, is associated with nausea, or is accompanied by sweatiness are more suggestive of cardiac issues like a myocardial infarction (MI), as these symptoms align more closely with the classic presentations of heart-related conditions.

The correct answer is thus: a. The pain is worse with inspiration.