Question

A middle-aged female with a history of hypertension and high cholesterol complains of chest discomfort. She asks you to take her to the hospital where her personal physician practices, which is 15 miles away. Her blood pressure is 130/70 mm Hg, pulse is 84 beats/min and regular, and respirations are 18 breaths/min and unlabored. Which of the following actions is clearly NOT appropriate for this patient?

A) Administering aspirin if not contraindicated.

B) Assessing and documenting the characteristics of the chest discomfort.

C) Informing the patient that you will take her to the hospital of her choice.

D) Administering sublingual nitroglycerin if prescribed and available.

E) Contacting medical direction for advice on the appropriate hospital destination.

Answer 1

The action that is clearly NOT appropriate for this patient is assessing and documenting the characteristics of the chest discomfort.

Step-by-step explanation:

The action that is clearly NOT appropriate for this patient is B) Assessing and documenting the characteristics of the chest discomfort.

When a middle-aged female with a history of hypertension and high cholesterol complains of chest discomfort, it is important to promptly assess the situation and take necessary actions. Administering aspirin (if not contraindicated), administering sublingual nitroglycerin (if prescribed and available), and contacting medical direction for advice on the appropriate hospital destination are all appropriate actions in this case. However, assessing and documenting the characteristics of the chest discomfort should not be the priority at this time, as it could lead to delays in seeking immediate medical attention.