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Which client would most likely be misdiagnosed for having a MI?

a. A 55 y/o Caucasian male with crushing chest pain and diaphoresis.
b. A 60 y/o Native American male with an elevated troponin level.
c. A 40 y/o Hispanic females with a normal ECG.
d. An 80 y/o Peruvian females with a normal CK-MB at 12 hours.

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The 40 y/o Hispanic female with a normal ECG is the client most likely to be misdiagnosed for having an MI due to the tendency of female symptom presentation to differ from the classic male presentation, which can lead to misdiagnoses.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client most likely to be misdiagnosed for having a myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, would be a 40 y/o Hispanic female with a normal ECG. This is due to the fact that symptom presentation between genders can significantly differ, and women often present with less typical symptoms, leading to misdiagnoses. Historically, many female patients experiencing heart attacks were misdiagnosed and sent home because their symptomatology, such as the lack of crushing chest pain more common in men, did not match the 'classic' signs of MI. In addition, not all MIs are accompanied by distinct ECG changes, which can further complicate a prompt and accurate diagnosis.

Myocardial infarction can be confirmed through various means, such as ECG alterations in the ST and Q components or through blood tests that indicate elevated levels of enzymes like creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and proteins such as cardiac troponin, which are released by damaged cardiac muscle cells.

It is important to recognize that a significant proportion of MIs may present asymptomatically, making it critical to consider the whole clinical picture and not solely rely on standard diagnostic measures like ECG or singular biomarker levels. Therefore, a normal ECG or a normal CK-MB level, as mentioned in the potential client cases, does not irrefutably exclude the presence of an MI.

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