Question

Which of the following questions would be MOST appropriate to ask when assessing a patient with chest pain?

a) "Have you had any recent dental issues?"
b) "What did you eat for breakfast?"
c) "Is there a history of heart disease in your family?"
d) "Have you been experiencing any joint pain?"

Answer 1

The most appropriate question to assess chest pain is to ask about family history of heart disease, which is essential for diagnosing conditions like coronary heart disease and angina pectoris.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate question to ask when assessing a patient with chest pain is "Is there a history of heart disease in your family?" This question is pertinent because it helps identify potential inherited risk factors for coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction (MI), which are critical to consider when diagnosing the cause of chest pain. Family history can reveal a predisposition to conditions like angina pectoris, which is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, often a symptom of coronary artery disease. Questions regarding recent dental issues, what was consumed for breakfast, and experiencing joint pain are generally less directly related to the cardiovascular causes of chest pain.