Question

Which question should the nurse include in the assessment of Kristin's chest pain?

A. "Are you allergic to any medications?"
B. "Have you eaten within the last hour?"
C. "Can you describe the pain you're feeling?"
D. "How often do you exercise?"

Answer 1

The nurse should ask Kristin to describe the pain she's feeling to assess the nature and potential causes of her chest pain, which is critical for determining the appropriate medical response.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question "Can you describe the pain you're feeling?" should be included in the assessment of Kristin's chest pain. When assessing chest pain, detailed descriptions of the pain can help differentiate between various causes, such as angina or other medical conditions. This question is pertinent as chest pain descriptions provide crucial information about the severity, location, and possible causes of the pain, matching the clinical findings that pain often feels like the chest is being pressed or squeezed, with possible spread to arms, neck, jaws, stomach, and back. Asking about the nature of the pain helps guide clinical decisions and the urgency of interventions.