Question

A 60-year-old man complains of chest pain. He is conscious and alert and denies shortness of breath. Which of the following questions would be the most appropriate to ask him?

a) "Have you experienced any recent weight loss?"
b) "Are you allergic to any medications?"
c) "Do you have a history of heart problems?"
d) "Have you traveled abroad recently?"

Answer 1

The most pertinent question for a man experiencing chest pain is whether he has a history of heart problems, aiding in the diagnosis of potential cardiac issues such as angina or myocardial infarction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate question to ask a 60-year-old man who complains of chest pain and denies shortness of breath would be, "Do you have a history of heart problems?"

This question is relevant because chest pain can be a symptom of heart conditions like angina, which occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough blood flow, leading to chest pressure or pain potentially accompanied by symptoms such as sweating, nausea, or pain in the back, neck, shoulders, or jaw.

It is extremely important for differential diagnosis to ascertain if there is a history or risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI) or other cardiac issues.